Jay Bienstock (pictured), the former MD of A. Smith & Co., has been named CEO of Talpa Media USA, where he will oversee the group’s programming slate, new development and the company growth strategy.

Talpa Media USA oversees such series as The Voice and will bring the Dutch format Utopia to U.S. broadcaster Fox in the fall. The company is a division of the John de Mol-owned Talpa Media Group.

Bienstock served as showrunner on Survivor (CBS) for six seasons before going on to produce series including Eco-Challenge: Borneo (USA Network) and The Apprentice (NBC).

In 2010, the exec formed Bienstock Young Media with Eugene Young and the company produced projects for CBS, A&E, TLC and CMT, as well as the series Animal Intervention (Nat Geo Wild) and Time’s Up (MTV). Several years later, the group joined with California-based prodco A. Smith & Co.

“Working with John de Mol is the pinnacle of my career,” said Bienstock in a statement. “To be part of this incredibly creative and inspired company that garners so much admiration and respect worldwide, and to have the opportunity to help grow Talpa Media here in the U.S., is the dream job of a lifetime.”

De Mol added: “We have been looking for a talented creative executive but also one with the business acumen of Jay to join Talpa and lead our U.S. division. We are excited to have Jay on board and look forward to the success we believe Jay will bring us within the Hollywood community.”