Final Gruen creator departs CJZ as Jon Casimir named head of entertainment for ABC
Casimir
The ABC has today unveiled CJZ producer and writer Jon Casimir as its new head of entertainment with current acting head of entertainment Sophia Zachariou appointed as his deputy.
Casimir is a well-known figure in the industry and was the last remaining founder of the ABC’s Gruen franchise left at CJZ following the departures of Andrew Denton who left last June and Anita Jacoby who departed following the merger of Cordell Jigsaw and Zapruder’s Other Films in 2012.
He will take up his position at ABC TV in Sydney on April 8.
Richard Finlayson, ABC TV’s director of television, said: “We’re delighted that ABC TV can attract someone of Jon’s calibre to this position. He brings with him a wealth of entertainment creation and production experience, having already been responsible for some of the ABC TV’s most successful entertainment programs.”
During a varied career Casimir has been a journalist with music magazine RAM and Encore and then the Sydney Morning Herald, where he helped launch the smh.com.au website before being lured into production by Denton to help cereate Enough Rope. He has also written four books, edited six others, and made guest presenter appearances on ABC702.
His TV credits include script editor and chief of staff on Hungry Beast; co-creator and head writer/series producer on Randling, co-creator/pilot writer on The Joy of Sets for Nine; and executive producer on Can Of Worms for Ten.
In a statement he said: “Having spent the last decade in a de facto relationship with the ABC, I am glad we’ve finally made it to the altar. I’m joining a network that I love, a network with a commitment to quality, creativity and risk-taking, three ideas under siege in media these days.
“It’s probably trowelling it on to say this, but it’s a genuine honour to be asked to work for one of Australia’s greatest institutions.”
He is currently an executive producer on the second season of Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery for the ABC.
Really lovely guy and amazing talent. A big coup for the ABC!
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Amazing talent and great bloke. Mark Scott is getting the best people in the business. Great to see.
Congrats Jon
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What a great appointment. Congratulations Jon.
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Brilliant hire by the ABC! Used to work with Casimir at SMH, he’s a top bloke and just the sort of people Aunty needs these days – an ‘outside’ hire without baggage but who is sympatico with what the ABC is all about.
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Isn’t Jon Casimir the chief creator of the ABC television disaster and rating flop, Randling?
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@Walter – Someone with a flop behind them is arguably less likely to have one in front of them.
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