EXCLUSIVE: Former Le Train Train and YouTube executive Nicole Emanuele has been appointed head of development and production for Kaley Cuoco’s Yes, Norman Productions. Additionally, the company has promoted Zayda Exeliz to creative executive.
Emanuele most recently was a partner at Le Train Train Productions, the production company founded by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. During her two-year tenure, she produced the Oscar-shortlisted documentary A Swim Lesson and handled the company’s first look deal with Lionsgate TV.
Prior to that, Emanuele was a founding member of the YouTube Originals team where she developed and oversaw several scripted projects, including On Becoming a God in Central Florida (which moved to Showtime), Step Up High Water (which ended up at Starz), Doug Liman’s Impulse, Season 3 of Cobra Kai, and the Eminem-produced film Bodied. She also led YouTube Originals’ music content efforts, including unscripted projects with artists like Taylor Swift, Tom Petty, Migos, Anuel, and Alicia Keys. Additionally, Emanuele produced the 2012 feature Not Waving But Drowning, starring Adam Driver and Lili Reinhart, under her White Horse banner.
Exeliz has been at Yes, Norman Productions for 4 years. Before that, she worked in the marketing division of Universal Pictures, where she specialized in multicultural marketing and subsequently transitioned to producing behind-the-scenes content such as The Road to F9: Fast & Furious Fan Fest.
“I am delighted to work with such an incredibly inspired and talented group of executives at Yes Norman Productions,” Cuoco said. “Nicole brings expertise, knowledge, and a passionate point of view to YNP, and I am excited to see Zayda continue to develop her skills as a creative at the company.”
Emanuele fills the void left by the departure last year of SVP Suzanne McCormack who had been at Yes, Norman since 2018. The company has been under deals at Warner Bros. Television for many years. Its upcoming slate includes Kansas City Star, a comedy series for HBO starring and executive produced by Cuoco and created and executive produced by Hacks’ Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky,
“I’ve always admired Kaley’s fearless and exceptional choices as both a producer and actress,” Emanuele said. “I’m thrilled to join her and the talented team at Yes, Norman Productions!”
