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L.A. posting for Essential’s O’Neill

Michael O’Neill, the Sydney-based head of unscripted development at Essential Television 11, has moved to the company’s Los Angeles office.

In his expanded role of vice president, unscripted development, he is overseeing all development in that genre in the US for the joint venture between Essential Media & Entertainment and Canada’s 11 Television.

In three years in the Sydney office O’Neill spearheaded the Australian operation’s growth with shows such as Australia: The Story of Us for the Seven Network and The Catch for SBS.

In the US he developed Texas Flip N Move, a pilot for an unscripted reality home renovation series for HGTV, and a hidden camera pilot for National Geographic.

He reports to Essential 11 CE0 Chris Hilton and chief creative officer Kevin Healey. His appointment follows the departure of former vice president of development, non-fiction, Johnny Healey.

Before joining Essential 11, O’Neil co-produced and wrote the transmedia campaign for Essential’s drama Scorched for Nine Network and worked as a factual development producer  with production companies such as NHNZ, Firelight Productions and Essential Media in Sydney on projects such Traveller’s Guide to the Planets for National Geographic Channel, Whatever!, The Science of Teens series for ABC1 and Storm Surfers for 3NET.