Eric Abboud has been promoted to VP and showrunner at Insight Productions.

In the expanded role, Abboud, who serves as showrunner for Top Chef Canada, will take more of a leadership position in developing projects at the Toronto-based unscripted specialist. He will continue to report to chair and CEO John Brunton.

Insight Productions has a relatively unique structure in the Canadian unscripted space, with some of its most senior executives also serving as showrunners on its biggest shows. Its stable of in-house showrunners includes Big Brother Canada showrunner Erin Brock, Battle of the Blades showrunner Lindsay Cox and The Amazing Race Canada showrunner Mark Lysakowski.

According to Insight, Abboud’s promotion reflects his increased role with Canadian and international partners on new programming, and his vital contribution as the prodco navigates the complexities of COVID-era production.

Following the months-long production shutdown last year, Top Chef Canada (Food Network Canada) was the first major Insight Productions show to go back into production in the fall. As showrunner, Abboud told Playback Daily the stress of overseeing the creation and implementation of new COVID protocols was high, but the production team was able to weather the logistical challenges and complete the season without any significant delays or positive COVID tests.

“This is our ninth season of Top Chef Canada, and so we do some things a certain way because that’s how we’ve always done it. In some ways it forced us to rethink how we do things and find safer, better ways of making the show. Ultimately I think it was a great success,” he said. The new season premieres on April 19.

In addition, Abboud is the showrunner and executive producer on Wall of Chefs (Food Network Canada) and executive producer on Big Brother Canada, which kicked off its ninth season on March 3. Abboud’s TV career began in picture editing before he transitioned to producing in 2006.