Critical Content Brings In Sam Zoda As Head Of Production

Critical Content has tapped former ITV Studios America executive Sam Zoda as EVP and Head of Production, along with making other senior-level exec hires and promotions. The appointments follow Critical Content’s acquisition of the TV assets of Jenny Daly’s T Group Productions in November, spearheaded by the independent studio’s founder and CEO Tom Forman, and the naming of Daly as President, Critical Content Studios.

Zoda, a 30-year industry veteran, joins Critical Content after leadership roles at ITV Studios America and serving as Executive in Charge, Production of Dancing With the Stars. Zoda will oversee the Critical Content slate of more than 40 series, pilots and presentations for networks such as Fox, CBS, Netflix, Disney+, HBO, A&E and E! among others.

Zoda helped launch Granada America/ITV Studios America in 2004 as SVP Production and was later promoted to EVP and Chief Operating Officer, Head of Production & Current Programming. Additional credits include Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, Nanny 911 (Fox), Best Time Ever With Neil Patrick Harris, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here (NBC), #Rich Kids of Beverly Hills (E!), Cesar 911 (Nat Geo), Celebrity Fit Club (VH1), 1st 48 (A&E), Room Raiders (MTV) and the drama series Texas Rising for History Channel.

“Sam’s track record shepherding large slates from inception to market is unparalleled and we are thrilled to bring the best in the business to Critical to oversee our current slate of top tier programming and overall expansion,” said Daly.

Other executive appointments include Rob Lobl, who now serves as EVP Development at Critical Content where he moved from T Group Productions along with three other executives. Matt Wrablik is SVP Development; Matt Pickel has been named Creative Director of Paid Development; and Christi DiCecco will serve as Executive In Charge, Production.

Critical Content has also promoted executives Ashley Hoff and Bobby Gomez. Hoff is now SVP Development after working as VP Development, and Gomez becomes VP Strategic Development after serving as Director, Development at Critical Content.

“Even as we grow Critical Content through acquisition and international expansion, we’ll always be producers first, determined to come up with the next huge thing,” Forman said. “We’re excited to double down on what we do best, expanding our development and production teams to supercharge both our slate and our production capabilities.”