Bunim/Murray rejigs after Jenkins exit

Banijay Group-backed Bunim/Murray Productions (BMP) has revamped its senior management team after the exit of its co-president of entertainment.

Julie Pizzi

The prodco behind shows including The Challenge, Project Runway and Keeping Up with the Kardashians has upped Julie Pizzi from co-president to president of entertainment and development.

That move comes after the departure of Jeff Jenkins, who had been promoted to co-president with Pizzi in 2016. His next move is not yet known.

Pizzi continues to report to BMP chairman and CEO Gil Goldschein, with a remit to lead creative and development for all series. She will focus on increasing the development of original formats and the production of existing BMP and Banijay formats in the US.

Meanwhile, Farnaz Farjam Chazan has been promoted from VP of current programming to senior VP of entertainment and development, while Sasha Alpert, who was in charge of both casting and BMP Films, will focus on development in her new role of executive VP of entertainment and development.

Additionally, Megan Sleeper, who was VP of casting, has been upped to senior VP of casting; Ben Salter, VP of development, becomes senior VP of development; and showrunner and executive producer Russell Jay is joining the company on a full-time basis as VP of entertainment and development.

BMP said last year it sold more shows and had more series on air than in any given year since its formation 30 years ago. A total of 26 series, 10 of which were new programmes, aired on 14 different networks. Its titles include Born This Way, Project Runway and Bill Nye Saves the World, as well as Facebook Watch reality show Ball in the Family.