Creator-led scripted prodco Dhar Mann Studios hires to ramp up production plans

Dhar Mann Studios (DMS), the US-based company that produces scripted content for digital platforms such as YouTube, is staffing up with four new appointments, including alumni of MrBeast’s production company and several other more traditional production outfits.

Dhar Mann

Toni Gray, who has previously worked at both Fremantle and MrBeast’s prodco, has been named head of production. Gray was the executive in charge of production on Beast Games (Prime Video) season one and before that worked in the same role on CBS’s Let’s Make a Deal.

Alex Tinley, who has previously worked at both Mentorn Media UK and its US counterpart, among several other roles, has been named senior manager of production and operations. Tinley has worked on projects including Challenge America (ABC), Paradise Hotel (Fox), America’s Worst Drivers (NBC) and Forever Eden (Fox).

The company also appointed Regina Kozakiewicz, formerly of digital media company Dotdash Meredith, as head of audience development and insights, and former Warner Bros Disney and HBO exec Kelly Browne as controller, finance and accounting lead.

At the same time, Ruben Ortiz has been promoted to showrunner for DMS, overseeing the company’s scripted slate across YouTube and Facebook.

DMS, led by Dhar Mann, says it reaches over 136 million followers with its content, which it produces and finances in-house. On YouTube, Dhar Mann Studios account has more than 25 million subscribers and has racked up more than 17 billion views in total.

DMS operates a three-stage, 125,000-square-foot production facility in Burbank, California, which it says employs nearly 200 people.

This is not the first time that DMS has looked to those with more traditional career backgrounds as it seeks to build out its digital-first strategy. Last year, the company hired former MTV president and Discovery chief digital officer Sean Atkins as president and chief operating officer.

The company said the new hires and promotions “reflect the company’s next phase of growth and how DMS is leading one of the most visible creator-built alternatives challenging legacy Hollywood infrastructure.”