Darlow Smithson hires A&E exec

O'Hearn to head U.S. production push

By ADAM DAWTREY

LONDON -- Didi O'Hearn, former VP of nonfiction and alternative programming for A&E Networks, has joined British factual specialist Darlow Smithson Prods. as veep of U.S. productions.

She will be based in the New York offices of Darlow Smithson's parent company, IMG Media, and report to Darlow Smithson creative director Tom Brisley.

Move is part of a wider expansion of IMG's U.S. presence, including the signing last week of Los Angeles-based producers Bruce Beresford Redman and Rick Hurvitz, the team behind MTV's "Pimp My Ride."

At A&E, O'Hearn developed the hit reality series "Gene Simmons: Family Jewels."