EXCLUSIVE: A Smith & Co. Productions, the company behind NBC’s American Ninja Warrior and Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen has a new President.
The company has hired Jenny Daly, President of Critical Content, in the role. It’s a surprising move for Daly, who has been at the Catfish producer since selling her T Group Productions business in 2018.
Arthur Smith will remain Chairman and CEO of the company with Daly overseeing development, production, sales and operations.
During her time at Critical Content, she has been behind Netflix’s Sylvester Stallone documentary Sly, E!’s Celebrity Game Face and Netflix’s Get Organized with The Home Edit, which was produced with Reese Witherspoon and Emily Sims. She was also exec producer of Netflix drama Ginny & Georgia.
Over the last twelve months, Daly has particularly focused on Critical Content’s international business with a slew of global deals with the likes of Australia’s Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia, Korea’s Something Special, Singapore’s Refinery Media, Dubai’s Blue Engine Studios, Belgium’s Be-Entertainment and France’s ITV Studios France.
She previously founded T Group Productions, which was behind series including Storage Hunters, Very Cavallari and Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour, and was VP, Development at E!.
A Smith & Co. Productions is also behind Netflix’s Floor is Lava, Fox’s Kitchen Nightmares, TLC’s Welcome to Plathville and Max’s Human vs Hamster.
Todd Weinstein with Weinstein Senior, LLP brokered the deal.
“Jenny’s extraordinary creative instincts are known throughout the industry. She is universally respected for her leadership and prowess in developing and selling big, original ideas to top-tier networks and streamers, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to our team,” said Arthur Smith. “A. Smith & Co. has built a reputation over 25 years for creating high-quality, fan-favorite franchises and innovative shows that bend genre limits, and with Jenny’s vision and expertise, I know we’ll continue to reach new heights.”
“I am very excited to be joining forces with Arthur to lean into his immense success as a format creator and executor,” added Daly. “With our combined relationships across the industry, A. Smith & Co. is poised to bring breakthrough content in all arenas to this ever diversifying media landscape.”
