Marty Benson, Director of Content (Melbourne)

Marty Benson joined Endemol Shine Australia (ESA) – then known as Shine Australia – in 2011 and is an accomplished and creative Executive Producer and Director of Content, with many programs and accolades to his name. Managing both production teams and talent with his trademark wit, he inspires the best performances from all.

Marty has been at the helm of Australia’s – and arguably the world’s – premier food program MasterChef Australia since its seventh series and has continually taken the program from strength to strength.

A national treasure, the program has taken out the AACTA Award for Best Reality Television Series in 2015, 2016, and 2017, followed by another winning streak from 2020-2025 in the same category. In 2019 and 2022, MasterChef Australia won the Logie Award for Most Popular Reality Program, followed by another win in 2023 for Most Outstanding Reality Program, and again in 2024 for Best Competition Reality Program.

Attracting global praise, in 2018 the show was nominated for an International Emmy, and in 2021 took home the gong for the Most In-Demand Reality Series at the Global TV Demand Awards, as well as the TBI Content Innovation Award for Series Launch of the Year.

Previously, Marty also served as Executive Producer of a host of successful reality formats including WAG Nation, Beauty and The Geek, Dating in The Dark and The Face. He also helmed 2020’s series of Junior MasterChef Australia for Network Ten, comedy panel series Would I Lie To You?, and LOL: Last One Laughing Australia for Amazon.

In 2022 and later going on to oversee another two seasons, Marty led the team with ratings juggernaut Hunted for Network 10, with skilled Hunters tracking down Fugitives across the state of Victoria.

Hailing from Glasgow in Scotland, Marty began his television production career in the UK where his credits include Pop Idol, Love Island, Soccer Aid, Hell’s Kitchen, Dancing on Ice and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, the show that initially brought him to Australia.