Microsoft Corp. announced that it has hired Ari Mark as head of unscripted programming for Xbox Entertainment Studios in Santa Monica, California.

For more information visit: www.xbox.com

Unedited statement follows:

Microsoft has hired Ari Mark as head of unscripted programming for Xbox Entertainment Studios in Santa Monica, Calif. Ari joins Nancy Tellem’s team today overseeing unscripted content for the studio.

Prior to joining Xbox, Ari worked for the cable channel AMC, where he helped launch the network’s foray into unscripted programming, developing critically acclaimed series, “The Pitch” and “Small Town Security” as well as ratings hits, “Talking Dead” and “Comic Book Men.” He is also responsible for the upcoming “Game of Arms,” and yet to be announced series for 2014-2015, including AMC’s first docudrama, a series about the creation of the Mob.  Before that, Mark worked at Embassy Row as director of development and manager of development at The Sundance Channel.