Zachary Klein has been named Chief Operating Officer of Banijay Americas production companies Bunim/Murray Productions & 51 Minds Entertainment, it was announced today by Julie Pizzi, President & CEO, Bunim/Murray Productions & 51 Minds Entertainment. 

Klein, who has served as Chief Operating Officer for 51 Minds Entertainment since 2023, is expanding his role to include oversight of day-to-day production operations for Bunim/Murray Productions, as well.

In his new role, Klein leads operations across all Bunim/Murray and 51 Minds unscripted series and documentaries including the Below Deck and The Challenge franchises, as well as Vanderpump Villa, A Killer Among Friends, Filthy Fortunes, The Chrisleys: Back to Reality, Iyanla: The Inside Fix, Never Ever Mets, The Life and Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson, Confessions of Octomom and the recently announced docu-series Dirty John for Netflix.

While at 51 Minds, Klein spearheaded day-to-day operations for the label’s slate of programs, including TI & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle, Emmy–nominated global hits Below Deck, Below Deck: Mediterranean, Below Deck: Down Under and the Emmy–winning Hack My Home and Drive with Swizz Beatz.

“Zach has extensive experience leading production operations and an exceptional understanding of how to service each of our client’s unique needs,” says Pizzi. “His ability to develop relationships with our partners and merge the creative with physical production strategy makes him invaluable and the perfect partner to serve as COO of both of our companies.”

Added Klein, “Expanding my oversight to include another pioneer of the unscripted genre is an incredibly exciting strategic opportunity. Under Julie’s leadership, both Bunim/Murray and 51 Minds continue to innovate and flourish in this ever-changing landscape. My focus will be on accelerating the companies’ continued growth while empowering our exceptionally talented staff to continue delivering best-in-class products to our clients.”

Appointed COO of 51 Minds in 2023, Klein previously served as Executive Vice President of Operations and Production at 51 Minds since 2021. His earlier roles at 51 Minds included Director of Production and Vice President of Production, overseeing logistics from development through to post-production, as well as all finance, facilities, and legal operations.

Klein holds degrees from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and Stern School of Business. He began his television career in freelance production, contributing to projects such as Ali Wong: Baby Cobra (Netflix), Utopia (FOX), and Redneck Island (CMT).

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DEADLINE: 51 Minds’ COO Zachary Klein Adds Bunim/Murray Role