51 Minds drafts VH1 exec in reshuffle

Endemol Shine North America prodco 51 Minds has hired a VH1 executive and promoted a number of execs in a shuffle aimed at future growth.

The prodco has poached Tricia Biggio from VH1, where she oversaw current series such as T.I. and Tiny, The Family Hustle and She’s Got Game.

At 51 Minds, she will be VP, current productions, with Elyse Adams promoted to director, current productions. Shows on the firm’s current slate include Sisterhood of Hip Hop and Redneck Island: Battle at the Lake.

Biggio has also worked at Lighthearted Entertainment, where she helped develop Dating Naked and Bye Felicia.

Further reshuffling at 51 Minds sees VP, development Chris Kinsella promoted to senior VP level, with development director Jessica Bofshever upped to VP.

Kinsella joined the company five years ago, while Bofshever previously worked at Run’s House prodco Good Clean Fun.

Rounding out changes in the development team, Hannan Abdelaa has bee promoted to director to replace Andrew Jacobson, who has been named head of branded entertainment.

Jacobson joined from Electus two years ago to become director of development, but had previously worked in branded content.

“The past few years have been some of the most successful in the history of 51 Minds Entertainment, with the launch of several hit new series and the development of some of our most ambitious and promising projects to date,” said CEO Christian Sarabia, who replaced company co-founder Mark Cronin in 2014.

“We have assembled an incredibly diverse and creative team and these moves today are a reflection of the team’s hard work and the bright future we see here at 51 Minds.”

The firm’s other co-founder, Cris Abrego, is now co-CEO and co-chairman of parent Endemol Shine North America and oversee the Latin American region as co-chairs.