Francisco Ponce

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Francisco Ponce
Wiki Francisco portrait.jpg
Francisco Ponce
OccupationsTelevision executive, talent manager, casting director
Years active1998–present
Relatives Carlos Ponce (older brother)

Francisco Ponce is an American television executive, talent manager, and casting director. He served as Vice President of Unscripted Reality Casting at NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises from 2017 to 2024, where he oversaw talent relations and casting for reality programming on the Telemundo network, including La Casa de los Famosos . [1] [2]

Contents

Prior to joining Telemundo, Ponce worked with Estefan Enterprises and founded In2ition Entertainment, a talent management company whose clients included his brother Carlos Ponce and Miss Universe titleholders Amelia Vega and Zuleyka Rivera. [3] [4]

Early life and education

Ponce's parents, Carlos Ponce Sr. and Esther Freyre, emigrated from Cuba to Puerto Rico after the Cuban Revolution. [5] In 1986, his family relocated to Miami, Florida. [6] He is the younger brother of actor and singer Carlos Ponce. [4] [7]

Francisco and his brother Carlos attended South Miami Senior High School. where his brother met his future wife, photographer Verónica Rubio, the sister of their mutual classmate Marco Rubio, currently serving as United States Secretary of State.[5][6]

Francisco studied at Miami Dade College and Florida International University. [8]

Career

Early career (1998–2017)

In 1998, Ponce left retail sales management to enter the entertainment industry, joining Pop Media Group, where he managed talent worldwide including his brother Carlos Ponce. [3] [8] Pop Media Group later joined forces with Estefan Enterprises, the multimedia entertainment company founded by Gloria and Emilio Estefan, where Ponce oversaw the production department and served as production and road manager, touring with Latin music artists throughout Latin America, Europe, and the United States. [3] [8] [9]

In 2004, Ponce founded In2ition Entertainment, LLC, a talent management and public relations company specializing in Latin and crossover talent. [10] [3] Through In2ition, he worked alongside major agencies including William Morris Endeavor, Creative Artists Agency, United Talent Agency, Trump Model Management, and the Miss Universe Organization. [8] Among his clients were Miss Universe titleholders Amelia Vega (Miss Universe 2003) and Zuleyka Rivera (Miss Universe 2006), both of whom won during Donald Trump's ownership of the pageant. [4] [11]

As of 2005, his clients included his brother Carlos Ponce, Amelia Vega, and singer Shalim. [4] [11] [12] During this period, Ponce also worked with business partner Emilio Estefan on projects including "Voces de América" featuring Vega. [13] A 2003 profile in The Orange County Register identified Francisco as part of Carlos Ponce's management team, alongside music producer Emilio Estefan. [14] Francisco continued to manage his brother's career through Carlos's crossover into English-language television and film, which included appearances in series such as Cristela and Devious Maids , as well as a voice role in the animated film Rio . [15] [16]

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises (2017–2024)

Francisco Ponce, Luis Silberwasser, Carlos Ponce, Cesar Conde Francisco luis silberwasser carlos ponce cesarconde.jpg
Francisco Ponce, Luis Silberwasser, Carlos Ponce, Cesar Conde

Ponce joined NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises in 2017 under Chairman Cesar Conde. His appointment was officially announced on June 6, 2017. [9] He was named Vice President of On-Air Talent Management, a newly created position reporting to Claudia Foghini, Executive Vice President of Talent and Production Management Services at Telemundo Networks and Studios. [8] [17]

As Vice President of On-Air Talent Management, Ponce oversaw talent relations and negotiations for the network. [8] [18] During his tenure, Telemundo's daytime programming saw several casting and format changes. In October 2020, Al Rojo Vivo transitioned to a dual-anchor format with Jessica Carrillo and Antonio Texeira. [19] In February 2021, the network launched Hoy Día with new hosts Arantxa Loizaga, Nacho Lozano, and Nicole Suárez, while Adamari López and Stephanie Himonidis continued from its predecessor Un Nuevo Día . [20] In March 2022, the network launched La Mesa Caliente, an afternoon talk show hosted by Myrka Dellanos, Giselle Blondet, Verónica Bastos, and Alix Aspe. [21]

Francisco Ponce on *La Casa de los Famosos* Francisco Ponce Las casa del los famos francisco.jpg
Francisco Ponce on *La Casa de los Famosos*

Ponce later transitioned to Vice President of Unscripted Reality Casting while continuing his talent relations responsibilities, overseeing celebrity casting for the network's entire primetime reality programming grid. [22] Ponce served as casting director for La Casa de los Famosos since its inception, [22] which featured television personalities such as Laura Bozzo, [23] as well as Top Chef VIP , with participants such as actress Marlene Favela, [24] Los 50 , La Isla: Desafío Extremo , [22] and Así Se Baila , a celebrity dance competition for which he personally recruited Colombian actor Gregorio Pernía. [25]

Francisco Ponce with Season 1 winner Lambda Garcia, Top Chef Francisco Ponce with Season 1 winner Lambda Garcia Top chef.jpg
Francisco Ponce with Season 1 winner Lambda García, Top Chef

During Ponce's tenure as casting executive, Telemundo also launched MasterChef Latino (2018–2019), La Voz (2019–2020) hosted by Jacky Bracamontes and Jorge Bernal with coaches Carlos Vives, Wisin, Luis Fonsi, and Alejandra Guzmán—whose 2019 grand finale ranked as the highest-rated Sunday night program on Spanish-language television among adults 18–49, [26] [27] El Domo del Dinero (2020), Por Amor o Por Dinero (2021) hosted by Carlos Ponce, [28] and The Wall (Spanish-language version, 2020) hosted by Marco Antonio Regil. [29]

During Ponce's tenure, Telemundo's primetime programming became the ratings leader among Spanish-language networks, and in several instances outperformed general market networks. [30] [2]

Ponce departed from NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises in May 2024 after seven years with the company. [2]

Post-Telemundo career (2024–present)

Following his departure from Telemundo, Ponce founded The P11nce Group LLC, a talent and brand strategy consulting firm based in Doral, Florida. [31] [32]

Filmography

The following programs were produced during Ponce's tenure at NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises (2017–2024):

YearTitleRoleNotable CastNominations/AwardsNotes
2017–2021 Un Nuevo Día Talent management Adamari López, Rashel Díaz, Marco Antonio Regil, Héctor Sandarti Daytime Emmy Award (won 2017; nom. 2018, 2019, 2020); GLAAD Media Award (won 2020)Daily series; ended February 2021
2021–2024 Hoy Día Talent managementArantxa Loizaga, Nacho Lozano, Nicole Suárez, Adamari López, Stephanie HimonidisTelly Award Gold Winner (2023)Daily series; replaced Un Nuevo Día [33]
2017–2024 Al Rojo Vivo Talent managementJessica Carrillo, Antonio Texeira Daytime Emmy Award nom. (2018)Daily series
2018–2019 MasterChef Latino Casting Aracely Arámbula (S1 host), Gaby Espino (S2 host), Claudia Sandoval (judge)
2019–2020 La Voz Casting Luis Fonsi, Carlos Vives, Wisin, Alejandra Guzmán, Jacky Bracamontes, Jorge Bernal
2020 The Wall Casting Marco Antonio Regil (host)Spanish-language version
2020El Domo del DineroCasting Zuleyka Rivera (host)
2021Por Amor o Por DineroCasting Carlos Ponce (host)Dating competition
2021–2024 La Casa de los Famosos Casting director Alicia Machado, Gabriela Spanic, Pablo Montero, Laura Bozzo, Niurka Marcos, Ivonne Montero, Madison Anderson, Maripily Rivera Produ Award nom. (2023, 2024) [22]
2021 Así Se Baila Casting Gregorio Pernía, David Chocarro, Lorenzo Méndez, Laura Flores, Adamari López (judge)Winners: Gregorio & Luna Pernía [25]
2021–2024La Mesa CalienteTalent management Myrka Dellanos, Giselle Blondet, Verónica Bastos, Alix AspeDaily series
2022–2024 Top Chef VIP Casting director Lambda García, Marlene Favela, Zuleyka Rivera, Gregorio Pernía, Chiky Bombom, Alicia Machado Winner S1: Lambda García [22]
2023–2024 Los 50 Casting director Manelyk González, Lambda García, Salvador Zerboni, Julia Gama, Thalí GarcíaProdu Award nom. (2024)Winner: Ana Parra [22]
2024 La Isla: Desafío Extremo Casting director Julián Gil, Sergio Mayer, Carmen Aub, Angélica Celaya, Aylín Mújica, Julia Gama [22]

Civic involvement

Francisco Ponce with Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Jorge Plasencia at an Amigo For Kids event Francisco Ponce Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Jorge Plasencia at Amigo for Kids.jpg
Francisco Ponce with Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Jorge Plasencia at an Amigo For Kids event

Ponce has been involved in charitable activities in both Miami and the Dominican Republic. In 2004, he attended the "Esplendor Mágico por la Vida" gala benefiting the Fundación Mir in La Romana, Dominican Republic. [12] He serves on the Board of Directors of Amigos For Kids, a Miami-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing child abuse. [34] In October 2017, he participated in the "Miami Cares for Puerto Rico" fundraiser to aid victims of Hurricane Maria, hosted by the Global Empowerment Mission, his brother Carlos Ponce, and Haute Living magazine. [35]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Telemundo Enterprises Names Ponce Talent VP". TVNewsCheck. June 6, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Civita, Alicia (May 29, 2024). "Scandals at La Casa de los Famosos 4 are still haunting Telemundo, and it just may be the beginning". Latin Times. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Jacobson, Adam (June 6, 2017). "Ponce Picked To Help Manage Telemundo's On-Air Talent". Radio & Television Business Report. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Lucas Correa, Armando (November 10, 2005). "Carlos Ponce lo tiene todo". People en Español. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  5. ↑ Fluty, Michelle (October 20, 2015). "Carlos Ponce to speak at Latino Cultural Dinner". Illinois State University News. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Carlos Ponce: I would never run for president". Miami Herald . February 7, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Karina Banda y Carlos Ponce, ¿de nuevo juntos?". ¡HOLA! USA. June 18, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises Names Francisco Ponce Vice President of On-Air Talent Management" (Press release). NBCUniversal. June 6, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  9. 1 2 "Telemundo names Ponce VP of Talent Management". Media Moves. June 6, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  10. ↑ "In2ition Entertainment, LLC". Florida Division of Corporations. Florida Department of State. Retrieved January 12, 2026. Document Number L04000077639; Date Filed 10/26/2004; Authorized Person: Ponce, Francisco J
  11. 1 2 "Amelia Vega". Batanga. Batanga Media. p. 11. Retrieved January 9, 2026. Francisco Ponce, brother of tropical artist Carlos, sees Vega's musical future as a matter of timing
  12. 1 2 "Esplendor Mágico por la Vida, una cita con la solidaridad". Diario Libre . August 14, 2004. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega at a press conference for Voces de America". Getty Images . 2004. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  14. ↑ Aguila, Justino (November 19, 2003). "Triple Threat: Singer, Actor And TV Personality Carlos Ponce Is Poised To Build His Heartthrob Status Among Latinos Into Hollywood Stardom". The Orange County Register . Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Quintet Cast In ABC Comedy 'Cristela'". Deadline Hollywood . March 13, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Carlos Ponce". IMDb . Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Francisco Ponce es el nuevo VP de Desarrollo de Talento Artístico de NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises". PRODU. June 6, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Ponce named VP of On-Air Talent Management at NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises". HispanicAd. June 6, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Telemundo network hosts María Celeste Arrarás and Rashel Díaz among company layoffs". Media Moves. August 6, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Telemundo to Launch Revamped Morning News Show". The Hollywood Reporter . January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Telemundo Will Spice Up Its Afternoons with New Show 'La Mesa Caliente'". Telemundo. February 23, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Fridmann, Mandy (May 27, 2024). "Telemundo despide a Francisco Ponce en medio de acusaciones mediáticas de Thalí García". Las Top News. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  23. ↑ Bozzo, Laura (May 2023). "Instagram post". Instagram . Retrieved January 10, 2026. Extrañando @lacasadelosfamosos.tv con mis adorados @poncefrancisco1 y @zardelabelleza
  24. ↑ Favela, Marlene (July 2022). "Instagram post". Instagram . Retrieved January 10, 2026. Gracias @poncefrancisco1 por invitarme a vivir un viaje lleno de emociones donde he conocido seres humanos extraordinarios #topchefviptlmd
  25. 1 2 Figueroa, Celmira (September 14, 2021). "'Así baila' Gregorio Pernía después de Masterchef". La Opinión. Colombia. Retrieved January 12, 2026. La invitación que le hizo el productor de Telemundo, Francisco Ponce, fue precisa.
  26. ↑ "Telemundo's Finale of "La Voz" (The Voice) Dominates Sunday Prime on Spanish-Language Television" (Press release). Telemundo. April 23, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Telemundo's 'La Voz' Resumes With Judges Luis Fonsi, Wisin, Carlos Vives & Alejandra Guzman". Billboard . July 15, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Por Amor o Por Dinero". Telemundo. October 21, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Marco Antonio Regil arrancará el 2020 con "The Wall", un "muro que quiere a los latinos"". Telemundo 62. December 26, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Telemundo Scores Two-Month Ratings Winning Streak in Spanish-Language TV". The Hollywood Reporter . May 1, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Francisco Ponce (@poncefrancisco1)". Instagram . Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  32. ↑ "The P11nce Group LLC". BizProfile. Retrieved January 10, 2026. Authorized Member: Ponce, Francisco
  33. ↑ Guillén, Gerardo (May 24, 2023). "'Hoy Día' de Telemundo gana un premio Telly por el Mejor Set de Televisión". La Opinión . Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  34. ↑ "About Us". Amigos For Kids. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  35. ↑ Mastrandrea, Paige (October 9, 2017). "Haute Living, GEM And Carlos Ponce Celebrate Miami Cares For Puerto Rico". Haute Living. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
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