Zodiak puts Yates at top of restructured LA arm

Production giant Zodiak Media Group has named Tony Yates as CEO of a restructured LA division.

The under new structure, Zodiak USA becomes Zodiak Los Angeles, with Yates, who was previously Zodiak Americas’ COO, taking a new chief exec role.

In turn, Yates has appointed David Wollock from Zodiak’s LA-based Creative Innovation Unit as senior VP, development. Current production at Zodiak Los Angeles will be lead by Dave Shikiar and casting by Sunny Agans, both of whom are senior VPs.

All three will report to Yates, who will report to Zodiak Americas CEO Jonny Slow.

Zodiak Americas encompasses ZMG’s operations in North, Central and South America, while Zodiak Los Angeles will focus on non-scripted programming for the US. Yates will manage a programming slate including ABC’s Secret Millionaire and Celebrity Wife Swap and truTV’s Killer Karaoke.

Yates has been with Zodiak since 2006, during which time he has exec produced 160 episodes of the syndicated Don’t Forget the Lyrics for 20th Television, VH1 and My NetworkTV, as well as Fox’s broadcast version and How to Look Good Naked for cable net Lifetime.

“Tony has over two decades of television experience, from syndication to network formats to cable docu-series and everything in between,” said Slow. “His production expertise along with his incredible relationships both within the community and the rest of the Zodiak group make Tony a fantastic choice to lead Zodiak Los Angeles through the next phase of its growth.”

The restructure doesn’t affect Zodiak New York, which remains ZMG’s East Coast docu-drama production hub and is fronted by CCO Mike Gamson and COO Sheila Cabano.