SallyAnn Salsano
Founder, Executive Producer and CEOSallyAnn Salsano is the Founder, Executive Producer and CEO of the Daytime and Primetime Emmy nominated bona fide hit factory, 495 Productions. They boast one of the most diverse, entertaining and commercially successful rosters of reality programming on television, with hit series spanning multiple networks.
Since its inception in 2007, Salsano has been the creative force behind each of the company’s dynamic series. As the creator of the highest-rated series on both MTV (“Jersey Shore”) and CMT (“Party Down South”), along with the record-breaking VH1 hit “Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party,” Salsano has cemented the reputation of 495 Productions as being one of the industry’s leading production companies.
By continuing to create a wildly diverse portfolio of ground-breaking television, Salsano and her 495 Productions hail credits from networks including NBC (“Nashville Star”); FOX (“More To Love,” “The Real,” the successful syndicated daytime talk show); MTV (“Winter Break: Hunter Mountain,” Floribama Shore,” “Snooki & J-Woww,” “FriendZone,” “Disaster Date,” “The Pauly D Project,” “A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila,” “A Shot at Love 2,” “A Double Shot at Love: Shot at Love 3,” “Jerks With Cameras”); BRAVO (“Invite Only: Cabo”); HGTV (“Design Star,” “The Antonio Project,” “$250,000 Challenge”); SPIKE (“Tattoo Nightmares,” “Tattoo Nightmares: Miami,” “Repo Games”); CNBC (“Blue Collar Millionaires”); NAT GEO (“Taboo USA”); OXYGEN (“Dance Your Ass Off,” “Tattoos After Dark,” “It Takes A Sister,” “Tanisha Gets Married”); LIFETIME (“Mother/Daughter Experiment: Celebrity Edition,” “Love Handles”); SYFY (“Fangasm,” “Viral Video Showdown”); TLC (“Hear Me, Love Me, See Me,” “Wedding Island”); TV GUIDE (“Nail Files”); ABC FAMILY (“Freak Out”); VH1 (“Tool Academy,” “Wedding Wars,” “Mama Drama”); WE-TV (“Love Blows,” “Ex-Isle”); and VICELAND (“The Untitled Action Bronson Show”) among others.
As one of the most recognized and successful leaders in the entertainment industry, Salsano has been honored for her exemplary work by The Hollywood Reporter, who featured her on their “Reality TV: Most Powerful” list for three years in a row, and included her in their “Women in Entertainment Power 100” list, as well. Variety Magazine also included Salsano on their “Reality Impact Report” for the last 5 consecutive years.
Salsano has spoken about her successful career and the art of producing at many panels and events, including: The NY Television Festival; NATPE; BROADCASTING AND CABLE’S Women in Hollywood panel; the PRODUCED BY conference; the TRUE/FALSE FILM FESTIVAL; REALSCREEN EAST; REALSCREEN WEST; and has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, People Magazine, The Huffington Post, Ad Week and on ABC’s “20/20.”
495 Productions is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s largest third party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the US.
Salsano began her career in New York City, as an intern for “The Howard Stern Show” and on “The Sally Jesse Raphael Show,” spending 5 years working for “Sally,” as she worked her way up to the role of producer.
After relocating to Los Angeles, prior to launching her own shingle, Salsano was a showrunner for ABC’s “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” “Trista and Ryan’s Wedding,” and “Extreme Makeover: Wedding Edition,” as well as FOX’s “Surprise Weddings.”
Although Salsano makes her primary residence in Los Angeles, she can more likely be found on location at any of the 495 Productions’ production shoots around the world.
495 Productions’ shows, distinguished staff and incomparable casts have been nominated for awards including: Daytime Emmy Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Teen Choice Awards, Astra Awards and have won a Taste Award, multiple Reality Wanted Awards and a Teen Choice Award for two years in a row.
Compiled of an experienced group of creative television professionals the 495 Productions team has worked for years together in the industry, even before the company’s inception. Salsano serves as CEO and Executive Producer, Dave Hamilton as EVP of Content, Kirk Anderson as Head of Production, Ryan Abbott as Head of Post Production, Josh Peters as Head of Development, and Megan Pickett as VP of Development.