Johnny Taranto is a master at taking ideas from a spark of inspiration all the way through to the finished product — and doing it with a style that’s engaging, down-to-earth, and downright entertaining. As the founding producer of The Front Bar on Seven Network, Johnny knows how to bring stories to life in a way that hooks audiences and keeps them coming back for more.

His creative journey includes writing, producing, and directing City-Bay: 50 Years and Running (Channel 9 and theatrical release, 2024), a heartfelt documentary that’s as inspiring as it is compelling. Johnny also crafted the award-winning I’m Not a Runner (SBSTV), which snagged the Australian Sports Commission Media Award for its honest and moving storytelling.

You’ll find his fingerprints on some of Australia’s most loved TV shows — from producing The Project and Before the Game on Network Ten to writing and executive producing Challenge, Change, Faith on ABC TV and the History Channel. Early days saw Johnny digging deep as a researcher on Rove Live and Interfooty, learning the ropes with big names and bigger laughs.