Orly Adelson, the president of Dick Clark Productions since 2008 who has overseen such televised award shows as the Golden Globes and the American Music Awards, is leaving to become president of ITV Studios America.
Adelson will report to Paul Buccieri, president and CEO ITV Studios US Group and managing director of ITV Studios International. She will start Jan. 1.
“I couldn’t be happier that Orly is joining us. She is a talented and seasoned executive who will make a great addition to the team,” Buccieri said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “Orly is the perfect blend of both creative and commercial and has an impressive track record with some of the top brands on television. I’m confident that she will continue building on the success of ITV Studios America, which is a key component to our international operation, and take the business into its next level of growth.”
Adelson says she has been given a mandate to expand in all areas of television, including series and specials. “They are committed to expansion in the U.S.,” says Adelson. “It is perfect timing for me. I like to build.”
ITV is an independent commercial broadcaster in the U.K., where it operates national and regional channels. ITV Studios America has a slate of series in production with major networks and syndicators, including Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, The First 48, After the First 48, Four Weddings, The Chase, The Car Chasers, The Bill Cunningham Show and America Now.
Through ITV Studios U.S. Group based in Sherman Oaks, the broadcaster has been making acquisitions to bolster its lineup of producers and content. In December, ITV acquired a controlling interest in Gurney Productions, which makes A&E’s Duck Dynasty, for a reported $40 million. In May, ITV bought control of High Noon Entertainment, which makes shows including Tough Love and Cake Boss, for a reported $25 million, and in June, it paid $30 million for 65 percent of Thinkfactory Media (Hatfields & McCoys).
Adelson will not be involved with any of the acquired companies.
Adelson moved to the U.S. more than 25 years ago after serving in the Israeli army and earning degrees from Hebrew University and the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.
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In the U.S., she first went to work for TV producer Michael Brandman. She sold her first movie to NBC in 1991 called Shoot First: A Cop’s Vengeance. Since then, she has produced or overseen more than 50 other TV movies.
After working as a producer, Adelson, who is married and has two children, joined Dick Clark to oversee all aspects of the company and its growing lineup of programs. Other shows she has been involved with include Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, the Academy of Country Music Awards and So You Think You Can Dance.
At Dick Clark, Adelson says she is most proud of the expansion of shows including the American Music Awards, the Globes, the Country Music Awards and the New Years Eve show. “We had constant growth on those four shows,” says Adelson.
That growth included expansion into digital. Adelson led initiatives to create digital companions to each show while also expanding Dick Clark’s digital presence in online awards and using digital to cover red carpet arrivals and more.
“We were the first in digital innovation through the last six years,” she says.
Adelson says this is not just a life change: “It is growth. It is continuing the growth.”
Dick Clark Productions was purchased in 2012 by Guggenheim Partners, parent company of THR.
