AMC exec Ari Mark joins Xbox Entertainment Studios

Microsoft continues its push for original Xbox One programming this week, with word that AMC executive Ari Mark has been hired on at Xbox Entertainment Studios.

Games Industry reports AMC Network’s former VP of development has joined the Santa Monica-based studio as the new head of unscripted programming.

While with AMC, Mark developed unscripted efforts to help grow existing properties such as The Walking Dead and Mad Men. He developed Talking Dead – a talk show discussing the popular zombie drama – and reality TV series entitled The Pitch, which had two competing ad agencies developing pitches for products.

Microsoft previously detailed plans for a variety of original programming in the first half of 2014 for its new console – including the Steven Spielberg-produced original series based on the Halo franchise.