Fremantle elevates industry veteran Kevin Woodward to executive VP of production

A step forward in unscripted television leadership

Fremantle has made a significant move within its leadership team, promoting Kevin Woodward to the prestigious role of executive vice president of production. This reshuffle, announced on Friday, sees Woodward stepping up from his previous position as senior VP of production, now reporting directly to Fremantle U.S. COO, Suzanne Lopez.

Kevin Woodward: A foundation of experience and vision

Having joined Fremantle in 2014, Woodward has been a pivotal figure within the company. In his new role, he will oversee all aspects of physical production for the U.S. unscripted studio. This includes pre-production, budgeting, active productions, and post-production. Woodward’s oversight will span renowned productions such as “Family Feud,” “American Idol,” and “America’s Got Talent.“

Moreover, his responsibilities will extend to Haven Studios, the home of classic game shows like “Let’s Make A Deal” and “The Price Is Right.”

An eye on the future: expanding production capabilities

“Kevin has been instrumental in the success of our growing day-to-day production needs,” said Suzanne Lopez. With a deep understanding of unscripted series and a network of valuable relationships with EICs, showrunners, and partners, Woodward is poised to innovate and expand Fremantle’s production capabilities.

Lopez further emphasized that Ryan Abbott, senior VP of post-production, operations, and music for Original Productions, will also be expanding his role to include supervisory duties on Fremantle productions. This move is expected to enhance the post-production workflow and efficiency to new heights of excellence.

From humble beginnings to industry stalwart

Before his tenure at Fremantle, Woodward served as a freelance production accountant on various unscripted shows. His journey from those early days to becoming a key decision-maker at Fremantle illustrates his profound expertise and dedication.

“I’m excited about the continued success of the company as we produce audience-beloved iconic shows like ‘The Price Is Right’ and ‘Family Feud’ and add new projects to our robust unscripted slate,” Woodward said. He sees his journey at Fremantle as part of a stellar team that sets the industry standard in unscripted television.

The expanded role of Ryan Abbott

Not to be understated, Ryan Abbott’s contributions are also gaining recognition. Since joining Original Productions in 2017, Abbott has worked on influential projects like “Deadliest Catch” and “Jay Leno’s Garage”. His expanded role will see him continue to oversee operations for Max Post while bringing his expertise to Fremantle’s post-production and music supervision.

Elevating unscripted productions: a strategic move

Fremantle’s decision to elevate both Woodward and Abbott into these expanded roles highlights the company’s strategic focus on enhancing production and post-production quality. By leveraging their extensive experience and industry knowledge, Fremantle aims to maintain its leadership in the unscripted television sector.

Kevin Woodward’s influence on Fremantle’s iconic shows

As Woodward takes on his new responsibilities, his influence will be felt across a wide range of projects. Programs like “Family Feud,” which continue to resonate with audiences, will benefit from his keen insights and innovative approach to production. Additionally, his role in overseeing “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent” ensures that these flagship shows will continue to thrive under his guidance.

Ryan Abbott’s impact on post-production excellence

Simultaneously, Abbott’s role will see a significant impact on the efficiency and quality of post-production processes. Shows like “The Price Is Right” and “Let’s Make A Deal”, which have long been staples of American television, stand to gain from Abbott’s expanded oversight, ensuring that they remain at the peak of production excellence.

Looking ahead: Fremantle’s commitment to quality and innovation

As Fremantle looks to the future, the promotions of Woodward and Abbott signal a clear commitment to maintaining and enhancing the quality of its productions. By investing in experienced and visionary leaders, Fremantle is positioned to continue delivering high-quality content that captivates and entertains audiences.

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