Our Team
Tony DiSanto CEO & Founder
Tony DiSanto began his career as an intern at MTV while studying film & television at NYU. This began a 20-year attachment to the network working as a Director, Producer, Executive Producer and eventually President. Tony was responsible for co-creating /developing the long running Total Request Live (TRL) and Developed/Executive Produced hit series including Made, Run’s House, Laguna Beach, Nick Cannon’s Wild‘n Out, The Hills, America’s Best Dance Crew, Jersey Shore and Teen Mom. In 2009, Tony was appointed President of MTV, taking the reins on scripted & reality series, live events, specials and feature films for TV, leading to the biggest ratings turnaround in the channel’s history in 2010. Now, with DIGA Studios, Tony is focusing his creative vision and experience into creating content across a wide array of networks and platforms.
Tony DiSanto CEO & Founder
Nick Rigg Executive Vice President, Unscripted
Nick was formerly President of Loud Television, a full-service entertainment and production company that was a joint venture between Nick and ITV. Loud TV was responsible for some of the most popular series on television such as Tiny House Nation (A+E / Netflix) which kicked off the tiny house TV phenomenon. Recent credits also include the hit series Girls Incarcerated (Netflix) and Double Take (Facebook Watch). Nick’s branded entertainment credits The New York Times, One King’s Lane, Ford and Vox Media. Prior to forming Loud Television, Nick served as President of reality and non-fiction producer Leopard Films USA. Under Nick’s leadership, the company grew to produce more than 200 hours of programming a year and built a stronghold in lifestyle franchises, including 1000+ episodes of the global hit series House Hunters International.
Nick Rigg EVP, Unscripted
Andrew Portnoy Executive Vice President, Production
Andy has worked in the television industry for more than 20 years across a diverse portfolio of content and brands including positions at MTV, VH1, Spike TV and Nickelodeon. Prior to joining DIGA, Andy was SVP, Head of Strategic Content Operations at MTV, VH1 and Logo where he provided key operational leadership and strategic support to the President, EVP Unscripted and the senior executive team around all aspects of content production. Andy launched some of Viacom’s biggest franchise series including, Jersey Shore Family Vacation, Floribama Shore, Teen Mom, Catfish and the TRL multi-platform execution. He also oversaw the design, build, execution and day to day management of the new studio at 1515 Broadway. Previously, Andy served as MTV’s Senior Vice President, Head of Production, overseeing projects such as the original Jersey Shore, Video Music Awards, Movie Awards, Catfish, Are you the One, Teen Mom, Real World, The Challenges, Wild N Out, the original TRL and 16 & Pregnant.
Andrew Portnoy EVP, Production
Patrick Smith Vice President, Alternative & Creative Producer
Patrick began his career in the children's television space as a writer/producer of original animated segments for Sesame Street and on-air promos for Nickelodeon. Later he was brought on to The Chappelle Show. He went on to co-found the production company, Infamous Hero Inc, where he produced, wrote and directed branded content and commercials for TV networks, brands and companies like Prudential, BP Oil, Comedy Central, Sundance, Animal Planet, USA Networks, Women's Health, TruTv, and more. Infamous Hero was absorbed into Rolling Stone where Patrick served as Director of Original Content before sliding over to Complex Media where he was Director of Development. Always forward thinking, he developed Rolling Stone’s first podcast, Nickelodeon’s first web series and Complex.com’s first longform series. All hits that continue to this day.
Patrick Smith VP Alternative, Creative Producer
Maria Skillman Director of Development, Unscripted
Maria is DIGA’s Development Manager. Prior to joining DIGA in 2016, Maria worked at Don Buchwald & Associates for two years as a talent agent assistant in the commercial department. She also spent three years at Wisconsin Public Television working as a camera / teleprompter operator, floor manager, and director for weekly news programs, Here & Now, Wednesday Night at the Lab, andPBS pledge drives. Maria graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Communication Arts with a focus in radio, TV, and film.
Maria Skillman Director of Development, Unscripted