Craig Plestis

Who is Craig Plestis?

Craig Plestis is the President and CEO of Smart Dog Media, a leading reality programming production company with an in-house deal with Universal Television, servicing NBC and its cable networks including Bravo, Oxygen, Syfy, and USA Network, as well as all other cable entities. Plestis was the executive producer behind the NBC singing game show, The Winner Is hosted by Nick Lachey, in partnership with Talpa Media, producers of The Voice. The series premiered in June 2013 to impressive numbers. Plestis was the creator and executive producer of more than 70 episodes of the hit game show Minute to Win It, hosted by Guy Fieri, and winner of the International FRAPA Award for Best Studio Based Game Show. He also executive produced NBC’s Who’s Still Standing? a game show that featured contestants falling through trap doors after answering trivia questions incorrectly. Additionally, Plestis helped develop NBC’s upcoming home renovation competition series, American Dream Builders, hosted by interior designer Nate Berkus.

Smart Dog Media launched Robot Combat League, the world’s first giant fighting robot competition series for the Syfy Channel in 2013. Plestis created and executive produced the high-octane series, which debuted with the highest rated unscripted premiere on the network in more than two years. Craig also served as the executive producer of Syfy’s diabolical game show Exit, based on a popular Japanese format. He also helped develop and will serve as an executive producer for Opposite Worlds, Syfy’s upcoming English-language version of the popular Chilean format, Mundos Opuestos. Continuing his work with Syfy, Craig also sold the format idea for their upcoming celebrity ghost series, Dead Famous.