Program Executives & Broadcasters

Mark Ambrose has worked in Drama Development at 20th Century Fox TV since 2004. Most recently, he has worked on such shows as “Lie to Me”, “Dollhouse”, “Life on Mars”, and the upcoming Fox series “Glee”. Prior to joining TCFTV, Mark worked in the TV Literary department at The Endeavor Agency.
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Mark Ambrose has worked in Drama Development at 20th Century Fox TV since 2004. Most recently, he has worked on such shows as “Lie to Me”, “Dollhouse”, “Life on Mars”, and the upcoming Fox series “Glee”. Prior to joining TCFTV, Mark worked in the TV Literary department at The Endeavor Agency.
Mark graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Film and TV Studies in 2003.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: USA
Areas of Interest: Character-rich, close-ended 1-hour series.
Not Interested In: Sci-fi and period are difficult (though not entirely closed to it)
Best Ways to Pitch: Two-sheet is helpful. Brevity is important. Source material (life rights, book, feature) is immensely valuable. Clarity is key – intro, characters, what an episode looks like, what the tone is, maybe some episode ideas.
Pitch Irritations: Density, over-explanation.
Budgets & Costs: We are more focused on idea. Produce-ability is important.

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Finn Arnesen is tasked with increasing original content by developing more wholly owned and co-produced content. He also plays a key role in the distribution of Turner’s original content to third parties throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Arnesen joined Turner in 1993 and was ins...
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Finn Arnesen is tasked with increasing original content by developing more wholly owned and co-produced content. He also plays a key role in the distribution of Turner’s original content to third parties throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Arnesen joined Turner in 1993 and was instrumental in developing programming. He supervises day to day programming, operations and development for Cartoon Network, including creative input into on-air promotions and themes as well as the development of scheduling strategy.
Arnesen has worked on original European co-produced cartoons “The Cramp Twins” with TV Loonland, and “Robotboy” with Alphanim. Additionally he commissioned and executive produced the Cartoon Network’s first wholly owned UK produced show “Skatoony”, an animated game show with real life contestants.

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Dave Baldwin is Executive Vice President, Program Planning for Home Box Office. His responsibilities include the development and production of program schedules for the fifteen HBO and Cinemax multi channel networks, the management of video assets for HBO and Cinemax On Demand and the HBO Mobile wi...
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Dave Baldwin is Executive Vice President, Program Planning for Home Box Office. His responsibilities include the development and production of program schedules for the fifteen HBO and Cinemax multi channel networks, the management of video assets for HBO and Cinemax On Demand and the HBO Mobile wireless platform domestically through AT&T and internationally through Vodafone and other distributors. He also oversees the Promotion Scheduling area, which plans promotional campaigns and executes the broadcast logs for all HBO and Cinemax platforms, as well as the Marketing and Audience Research groups. He was named to this position in April 2002.

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Erica Benson's career in the television industry spans more than 15 years and includes work in pay TV, specialty television, public broadcasting, independent production and funding agency sectors. As the Vice President, Programming for Movie Central and SCREAM, Erica oversees all aspects of scheduli...
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Erica Benson's career in the television industry spans more than 15 years and includes work in pay TV, specialty television, public broadcasting, independent production and funding agency sectors. As the Vice President, Programming for Movie Central and SCREAM, Erica oversees all aspects of scheduling and original production for both services.

In addition to showcasing Hollywood box office hits and independent films, Movie Central is the western Canadian home to the best of HBO and Showtime, as well as Canadian feature films such as “Away From Her”, “Eastern Promises” and “Blindness” and original Canadian drama series including the critically acclaimed “Durham County” and upcoming projects Whizbang Films’s “ZOS: Zone of Separation” and the Nightingale Company’s “The Weight” by George F. Walker and Dani Romain. With over 1 million subscribers, SCREAM is Canada’s only specialty television service in Canada dedicated to thriller, suspense and horror programming 24 hours a day.

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Vibika Bianchi’s diverse experience as an innovative and business-minded Canadian producer formed the stepping stones to her current role as Director of Original Productions, W Network, Viva and CosmoTV.

In this role, Vibika and her team commission, oversee and also produce some of th...
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Vibika Bianchi’s diverse experience as an innovative and business-minded Canadian producer formed the stepping stones to her current role as Director of Original Productions, W Network, Viva and CosmoTV.

In this role, Vibika and her team commission, oversee and also produce some of the best Canadian specialty programming, seen both domestically and abroad, with special focus on the changing needs of advertisers.

During her 30 plus months in this role, Vibika was an integral part of the launches of two new Women’s specialty networks: CosmoTV and the rebrand of CLT as Viva.

In addition to her programming responsibilities, Vibika devotes some of her time to co-chairing the Corus Green Team, a passionate group of Corus employees dedicated to preserving our planet.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Canada
Areas of Interest: Lifestyle and documentary, primarily docusoap
Not Interested In: Fictional/dramatic programming; biography
Best Ways to Pitch: Email one sheet (and send DVD, if applicable) to Camille Djokoto: Camille.djokoto@corusent.com; please expect up to 3 month wait before following up.
Pitch Irritations: Ensure pitch is right fit for network (watch and KNOW network!); if submitting an idea with specific talent or characters (as in a docusoaps) in mind video must be provided; be patient and understand that we review hundreds of proposals per month, there are rarely quick answers.
Budgets & Costs: To be discussed if there is interest in project, do not submit with pitch.
Good co-production partners: OWN, Lifetime, UKTV, HGTV US
Contact for Submissions: Camille Djokoto: Camille.djokoto@corusent.com

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Julie Bristow is Executive Director of Factual Entertainment for CBC Television, launching this new division for Canada’s public broadcaster in May 2006. Julie began her work at CBC in broadcast journalism, starting as a program researcher and moving onto executive production for main network progr...
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Julie Bristow is Executive Director of Factual Entertainment for CBC Television, launching this new division for Canada’s public broadcaster in May 2006. Julie began her work at CBC in broadcast journalism, starting as a program researcher and moving onto executive production for main network programs within CBC News and Current Affairs. As the head of Factual Entertainment, Julie is responsible for overseeing the development, production and commissioning activities in such fields as talk shows, game shows, lifestyle and reality programming, as well as the acquisition and adaptation of these formats for CBC.

Julie’s work in television has garnered her numerous awards, including three Geminis. She serves as an active board member for Entertainment Master Class, the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and for the Rose d’Or Festival.

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Previous to being nominated as Senior Vice-President, Programming, Mrs. Brosseau was Director of Strategic Planning for the Communications Department of Société Radio-Canada. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art History and a Master’s Degree in Communications. Moreover, she has more than 25 years ...
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Previous to being nominated as Senior Vice-President, Programming, Mrs. Brosseau was Director of Strategic Planning for the Communications Department of Société Radio-Canada. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art History and a Master’s Degree in Communications. Moreover, she has more than 25 years of experience in television, gathering information and contents, as well as being involved in the creation, production and the marketable aspect of television programming.

Before joining Astral Media, Judith’s career spread out at Télé-Québec and Radio-Canada, without omitting her numerous contributions amongst our major independent producers.

She is President on the Board of the Conseil des diplômés en communication de l’UQAM, interim Chair of the Banff Television Foundation, Vice-president on the Board of the Canadian Television Fund and she is also a Board member of The Harold Greenberg Fund and Hot Docs.

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Nicolas Brown is responsible for in-house drama within England and delivers over 300 hours to the BBC channels every year. Over the past two years he has overseen a run of success in terms of commissions won, audience and award success across a range of output from EastEnders to Cranford and BBC Fou...
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Nicolas Brown is responsible for in-house drama within England and delivers over 300 hours to the BBC channels every year. Over the past two years he has overseen a run of success in terms of commissions won, audience and award success across a range of output from EastEnders to Cranford and BBC Four's The Curse of Comedy season.
Prior to joining the BBC, Nick was working as a freelance producer. His credits include "London Bridge" for Carlton TV and "Hope and Glory" and "Deceit" for BBC One. A successful relationship with Company Pictures followed, where he produced "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" for ITV and then the adaptation of Zadie Smith's "White Teeth" for Channel 4. He has since produced two feature-length television films – "Friends and Crocodiles" and "Gideon's Daughter" – for the BBC, both written and directed by the award-winning "Stephen Poliakoff," and a film for Channel 4, "Bradford Riots," written and directed by Neil Biswas.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: UK
Areas of Interest: Drama for UK audience
Not Interested In: Anything else
Best Ways to Pitch: 1 sheet A4
Budgets & Costs:Yes approximate
Good co-production partners: US/Canada/Europe

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Junita Budvytiene is responsible for foreign programe acquisitions, scheduling and adaptation for both channels: LTV and LTV2 at Lithuanian Radio and Television. Junita began working in television in1989. In 1994 she became programme acquisition manager for the commercial channel LNK. In 2001, Ju...
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Junita Budvytiene is responsible for foreign programe acquisitions, scheduling and adaptation for both channels: LTV and LTV2 at Lithuanian Radio and Television. Junita began working in television in1989. In 1994 she became programme acquisition manager for the commercial channel LNK. In 2001, Junita acted as chief programme manager for the commercial television station, Baltijos TV for 5 years.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Lithuania
Areas of Interest: Cooproduction involved in the Baltic region
Not Interested In: Entertainment
Best Ways to Pitch: Two sheets by email
Budgets & Costs: Focus on small costs
Good co-production partners: Local producers; German, French independent producers
Contact for Submissions: Junita.budvytiene@lrt.lt

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Rudy Buttignol is President and CEO of Knowledge Network Corporation, British Columbia’s public educational media service. He is a moderator at international financing forums in Toronto, Leipzig and Amsterdam; the recipient of international honours including the inaugural Outstanding Industry Achiev...
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Rudy Buttignol is President and CEO of Knowledge Network Corporation, British Columbia’s public educational media service. He is a moderator at international financing forums in Toronto, Leipzig and Amsterdam; the recipient of international honours including the inaugural Outstanding Industry Achievement Award from Hot Docs;and a nine-tim
Buttignol is Chair of the International Advisory Council of the Toronto Documentary Forum; on the Board of Governors of the Banff Television Foundation and the Canadian Conference for the Arts; a member of the Board of Directors of the Vancouver International Film Festival, and on the advisory councils of DokLeipzig and the European Television Management Academy in Strasbourg. He is Vice-Chair of the Association of Education Broadcasters of Canada; President of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television Foundation; Chair of the Academy’s Television Rules & Regulations Committee; and past Chair of the Board of Directors.

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Vanessa is responsible for overseeing the programming strategies for E!, original production, acquisitions and scheduling for Slice as well as all original content for TVtropolis. Vanessa brings her years of experience working in the lifestyle genre and delivers top ratings and award winning titles ...
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Vanessa is responsible for overseeing the programming strategies for E!, original production, acquisitions and scheduling for Slice as well as all original content for TVtropolis. Vanessa brings her years of experience working in the lifestyle genre and delivers top ratings and award winning titles to the networks schedules.

Prior to her assuming her current role, she was responsible for overseeing programming efforts on HGTV Canada and National Geographic Channel. Since 1995 Vanessa has been with Atlantis, later to become Alliance Atlantis and most recently Canwest Media Inc. During her tenure, she has played vital roles in numerous endeavors, including the original launch of Life Network and subsequently, the successful re-branding of Life Network into Slice. She was responsible for bringing over 200 hours of original content to Slice’s schedule in its first year. Vanessa started in children’s television at YTV.

In addition to numerous outside interests, Vanessa sits on the Board of Directors for the CWC, Canadian Women in Communications.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Canada, national
Areas of Interest: Lifestyle, Reality TV, Docusoap – targeting W18 - 49
Not Interested In: No fictional, no daytime
Best Ways to Pitch: 1 page show summary, with rough budget/financing included
Pitch Irritations: Not aware of the current programming on the network being pitched
Good co-production partners:(domestic / international) Style, WE, Fine Living
Contact for Submissions: Ailis Hamilton

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Michael is the Area Executive Producer of Independent Documentaries at CBC Television and Newsworld and is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all independent documentary production for English television.

Michael is a two-time Gemini Award winning documentary producer
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Michael is the Area Executive Producer of Independent Documentaries at CBC Television and Newsworld and is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all independent documentary production for English television.

Michael is a two-time Gemini Award winning documentary producer
and director. As one of the two senior producers of “Hockey: A People’s History”, he oversaw the 10-part television series. Before running ‘Life and Times’ between 1998 and 2004, he was also senior producer of documentaries for ‘The National Magazine’, and documentary film editor at ‘The Journal’, where he did extensive international field-work, as well as studio-based editing. Michael has a bachelor of applied arts in radio and television from Ryerson University and a master of science in communications from Syracuse University.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Canada
Areas of Interest: General Interest Documentaries on issues of the day (Family, social, political, environmental)
Best Ways to Pitch: Two sheet at Banff followed by on-line process
Pitch Irritations: Not knowing the program strands
Budgets & Costs (at the same time as original proposal): Not necessary but an idea of cost is helpful
Contact for Submissions: doczone@cbc.ca

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Colleen Conway, Director of Non-Fiction and Alternative Programming at A&E Network, develops and oversees non-fiction series for A&E and Bio Channel. Representing AETN’s non-fiction programming family, Colleen is the Executive Producer of "Intervention" and Executive Producer in charge of day-to-day...
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Colleen Conway, Director of Non-Fiction and Alternative Programming at A&E Network, develops and oversees non-fiction series for A&E and Bio Channel. Representing AETN’s non-fiction programming family, Colleen is the Executive Producer of "Intervention" and Executive Producer in charge of day-to-day on "The First 48" (A&E) and Executive Producer of "I Survived..." (Bio). She is currently overseeing a handful of exciting new pilots and development projects that fit nicely into A&E’s "Real Life" brand of programming: cutting-edge, critically-acclaimed, and raw.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Worldwide
Areas of Interest: Real Life Drama, Celebrity, Crime/Justice
- great characters, close-ended episodes
Not Interested In: Music, Sports, Children’s programming
Best Ways to Pitch: call/email, be sure to follow up, submit one sheet & video (if avail), having video can be crucial
Pitch Irritations: old references to A&E – please watch our network and be aware of new programming
Good co-production partners: Co-productions are not common and considered more for Bio Channel. We commission programming.
Contact for Submissions: Colleen.Conway@aetn.com

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Anne Davis is responsible for a diverse comedy portfolio; broadcast over three channels & delivered in 11 official languages. Previously, Anne acted as Commissioning Editor for Drama, working on a variety of drama programmes including drama series, mini-series and film.

Anne complete...
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Anne Davis is responsible for a diverse comedy portfolio; broadcast over three channels & delivered in 11 official languages. Previously, Anne acted as Commissioning Editor for Drama, working on a variety of drama programmes including drama series, mini-series and film.

Anne completed her Masters Degree in Dramatic Art (awarded with distinction) at Wits and is a guest-lecturer at a variety of tertiary institutions, She has been honoured to represent South Africa as a juror internationally for the International Emmys, Rose D’Or and Prix Italia. She is dedicated to public service, and is privileged to participate in the development of the South African TV & Film industry, with a mandate to make the nation laugh.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: South Africa, Africa
Areas of Interest: Comedy, Drama, International funding/joint ventures with Africa/South Africa
Not Interested In: Sport News, International acquisitions of completed programmes
Best Ways to Pitch: 2 sheets, In person (SABC does not allow online/email)
Pitch Irritations: vagueness, lying, telling us what we want to hear!
Budgets & Costs: SA works on Cost Per Minute, Submit with original proposal
Good co-production partners: Any, NGO/Government
Contact for Submissions:Blessed Katiyo. Manager: Commissioning. Content Support: SABC. katiyobt@sabc.co.za
011 714 6855

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As the Director of Original Programming for AMC, Ben Davis is responsible for managing the department’s development slate as well as acting as the executive in charge for the Emmy Award winning shows MAD MEN and BREAKING BAD. Ben has been with the company for the past five years, shepherding the suc...
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As the Director of Original Programming for AMC, Ben Davis is responsible for managing the department’s development slate as well as acting as the executive in charge for the Emmy Award winning shows MAD MEN and BREAKING BAD. Ben has been with the company for the past five years, shepherding the successes of the Emmy Award winning mini-series BROKEN TRAIL, as well as the pilots for BREAKING BAD, MAD MEN, and the company's latest pilot, RUBICON. Prior to landing at AMC, Ben briefly worked as Scott Rudin's assistant and as an assistant at Scout Productions. His goal, along with the other members of the original programming department, is to continue to identify and produce high-quality cinematic, programming that has come to define AMC. Ben Davis earned his Bachelor of Science Management degree from the A.B. Freeman School of Business, at Tulane University, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Christina Davis grew up in Petaluma, California and moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA as a political science major. After a short stint as a writers’ assistant on the Warner Bros./NBC series “Sisters,” she began working in Drama Series Development at Warner Bros. Television. Christina moved to C...
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Christina Davis grew up in Petaluma, California and moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA as a political science major. After a short stint as a writers’ assistant on the Warner Bros./NBC series “Sisters,” she began working in Drama Series Development at Warner Bros. Television. Christina moved to CBS Entertainment in August 1997 and has been working her way up the ranks in Drama Series Development for the last 12 years. Since joining CBS, Christina has been involved in the development of CSI,
“CSI: Miami”, “CSI: NY”, “Without a Trace”, “Cold Case”, “Criminal Minds”, “Ghost Whisperer”, “Numb3rs”, “The Unit” and the only bona fide drama hit of the 2008-2009 season, “The Mentalist”.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: United States
Areas of Interest: Scripted Drama Series
Not Interested In: Comedy, Alternative/Reality, Game Shows
Best Ways to Pitch: Two Sheet- concept and characters
Pitch Irritations: Time should be used wisely, get to the point
Budgets & Costs: Not necessary when selling concept for script sale
Good co-production partners: We are open to all production/ financial models

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Âmbar de Barros is the coordinator of the child and adolescent core of Fundação Padre Anchieta/TV Cultura. She graduated with a degree in Journalism from University of São Paulo, School of Arts and Communications (ECAÂmbar created and implemented the Unesco office in São Paulo). She is the founder a...
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Âmbar de Barros is the coordinator of the child and adolescent core of Fundação Padre Anchieta/TV Cultura. She graduated with a degree in Journalism from University of São Paulo, School of Arts and Communications (ECAÂmbar created and implemented the Unesco office in São Paulo). She is the founder and executive director of the non-profit ANDI (Agência de Notícias dos Direitos da Infância) and Midiativa (Centro Brasileiro de Mídia para Crianças e Adolescentes). She served as Project Director at Victor Civita Foundation, with the Abril Group; Âmbar acted as the Communications Advisor for the University of Brasilia during Cristovam Buarque's management; As a columnist, Âmbar writes and reports for the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper. She serves on many boards for non-profit organizations and entrepreneur and social leadership groups, such as Avina and Ashoka.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Brazil
Areas of Interest: Children and Youth Content
Not Interested In: non educational content

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Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: USA
Areas of Interest: Premium Cable Series, Mini-Series
Not Interested In: Reality, Talk, Children’s
Best Ways to Pitch: Full Proposal if Avail.
Pitch Irritations: Own/Control your rights, Check for typos, page counts, etc
Budgets & Costs: Flexible
Good co-production partners:(domestic / international)
Contact for Submissions: Stefani Deoul

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Julie Di Cresce has recently been appointed Manager of Original Programming for Movie Central, where she is responsible for pre-licensing Canadian feature films, assessing programming needs and evaluating creative. She also works closely with the VP of programming on the development and production ...
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Julie Di Cresce has recently been appointed Manager of Original Programming for Movie Central, where she is responsible for pre-licensing Canadian feature films, assessing programming needs and evaluating creative. She also works closely with the VP of programming on the development and production of commissioned series, and sits on the committee which administers the Corus Made with Pay Development fund.

Prior to joining the Movie Central team in 2007, Julie worked for The Documentary Channel as a contributing member of their commissioning team. In addition to screening for the Worldwide Short Film Festival, Toronto and Birds Eye View Film Festival, London, she has a Masters of Arts degree in Film and taught screenwriting while pursuing her studies in the UK.

Movie Central is the western Canadian home to the best of HBO and Showtime, as well as Canadian feature films and original Canadian drama series.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Western Canada (Manitoba to Vancouver)
Areas of Interest: Theatrical films, Pay tv series
Not Interested In: conventional tv programs, procedural dramas, lifestyle shows, reality programming
Best Ways to Pitch: two sheet via email
Pitch Irritations: Pitching shows that are not suitable to the network (see “not interested in”)
Budgets & Costs: Prefer larger budget films ($3-5M); usually we ask for budget topsheet, financing structure (with some financing already in place) and production schedule.
Good co-production partners: Domestically we usually partner with TMN on most films and ALL series; occasionally we share programming with other Corus properties if they fit but we prefer projects with Movie Central as the leading interest.
We are interested in partnering on series with other pay networks in the US.
Contact for Submissions: Julie Di Cresce or Jennifer Walsh (Jennifer.Walsh@corusent.com)

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Beth Dietrich Segarra plays an integral role in the network’s overall content and programming lineup. She oversees the development and production of original programming and programming elements, including specials, series, interstitials and packaging of branded blocks. Her responsibilities includ...
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Beth Dietrich Segarra plays an integral role in the network’s overall content and programming lineup. She oversees the development and production of original programming and programming elements, including specials, series, interstitials and packaging of branded blocks. Her responsibilities include strategic program planning, content development and direction, and channel management. Dietrich Segarra joined Discovery in March 2008 from A&E Television Networks, where she was vice president of historical programming for The History Channel. During the nearly ten years she spent at History, she developed some of the network’s biggest hits, including "The Universe", "Gangland" and the Emmy-nominated "Star Wars: A Legacy Revealed". She also oversaw the production of more than 400 episodes of the landmark series "Modern Marvels," the network’s longest running series. Prior to History Channel, Dietrich Segarra spent six years with National Geographic in New York, where she served as post-production supervisor for a number of shows, including "Explorer" and "On Assignment".

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: World wide
Areas of Interest: Discovery is a male based network with an average age of 39. We are looking for specials and series that hook that audience.
Not Interested In: Medical, Sports, Crime, Lifestyle
Best Ways to Pitch: All producers must go through the Discovery Producers Portal at Discovery.com.
Pitch Irritations: Don’t know our network and the types of programs that work for us.
Budgets & Costs:(at the same time as original proposal)Usually
Good co-production partners: To do a co-pro the project has to be so amazing (and expensive) that we couldn’t do it ourselves, otherwise we would prefer to own it outright.
Contact for Submissions: Producers.discover.com

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Ulrike Dotzer is a Commissioning Editor for the public channels NDR and ARTE. ARTE is well known as the European Culture Channel, the NDR is part of the German Television Network, ARD. Her department is situated in Hamburg and she travels often to Straßburg or Paris, which she enjoys very much. Ul...
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Ulrike Dotzer is a Commissioning Editor for the public channels NDR and ARTE. ARTE is well known as the European Culture Channel, the NDR is part of the German Television Network, ARD. Her department is situated in Hamburg and she travels often to Straßburg or Paris, which she enjoys very much. Ulrike is responsible for documentaries and docu-dramas, but also for portraits and selected music programmes. The spectrum of themes is wide. For ARTE, she helps to develop many themed evenings with social and political issues. Working with international and national producers and directors is key. In June, ARTE broadcasts a documentary on the growing crisis in Hindukusch, especially the impact of the Taliban on Pakistan. Ulrike’s team recognizes that ambitious investigation demands coproduction – creating the need for partners all over the world.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Germany / France
Areas of Interest: Current affairs, Science, Portraits
Not Interested In: Sports
Best Ways to Pitch: e-mail, mail
Budgets & Costs(at same time as original proposal): It depends.
Good co-production partners: Coproduktions within the ARD, open to international partners
Contact for Submissions: u.dotzer@ndr.de

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Tara oversees original scripted programming for the conventional channels Global, E!, and Canwest specialty channels including Showcase. In her prior role as Alliance Atlantis’s VP of Content for Showcase, Tara programmed the leading Canadian drama specialty channel, leading acquisitions and the or...
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Tara oversees original scripted programming for the conventional channels Global, E!, and Canwest specialty channels including Showcase. In her prior role as Alliance Atlantis’s VP of Content for Showcase, Tara programmed the leading Canadian drama specialty channel, leading acquisitions and the original production slates of dramatic and documentary series. In her previous position of Director, Original Production for Showcase, Tara oversaw the creative development and production of Showcase original series including BILLABLE HOURS, BLISS, WEBDREAMS and SLINGS & ARROWS.

Prior to working at Alliance Atlantis, Tara was Executive in charge of Production for CBC-TV’s Movies & Mini-series unit and also programmed Canadian short films and features for the Cinema Canada strand on the network.

In 2000, the Globe & Mail named Tara as one of the 40 Most Influential People in Canadian Television for her efforts in bringing new talent to Canadian airwaves. Tara has served as co-chair on the board of directors for Women in Film & Television–Toronto.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Canada
Areas of Interest: Scripted programming – mainly drama and comedy series for conventional and specialty (cable) networks. Exclusively interested in Canadian Content which can include international co-pros and 6/10.
Not Interested In: Documentary programming, scripted one-offs, feature films, MOWs.
Best Ways to Pitch: 5-10 page pitch document, writing sample if I am not familiar with the writer. In person or by phone or by email.
Pitch Irritations: Pitching wrong project and not self-correcting once pitcher learns that. Monologue (as opposed to conversation).
Budgets & Costs: Some sort of a ballpark can be helpful but not necessary to have this pinned down.
Good co-production partners: Open for discussion
Contact for Submissions: Sandra Paolucci spaolucci@canwest.com

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Stanley Fertig oversees the pay television company’s mobile businesses outside the US. Under his leadership, HBO has launched mobile television services in over a dozen countries, including some of the world’s first subscription video on demand mobile TV services. Fertig’s duties at HBO have also ...
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Stanley Fertig oversees the pay television company’s mobile businesses outside the US. Under his leadership, HBO has launched mobile television services in over a dozen countries, including some of the world’s first subscription video on demand mobile TV services. Fertig’s duties at HBO have also included the development of international programming services on other platforms, including the launch of a Japanese HBO on demand with cable operator J:Com, and sitting on the boards of directors of HBO Asia and HBO Central Europe.

Previously, Fertig was senior vice president of acquisitions and business development at Columbia Music Entertainment, a Tokyo-listed independent music & entertainment company, overseeing international distribution, digital distribution and acquisitions.

During the 1990’s, Fertig held a series of positions at Time Warner, where he pioneered localized television by creating ad-supported television channel ventures in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Fertig is best known as the creator of VIVA, the highly acclaimed music television channel in Germany.

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Barbara Fisher oversees the development and production of all original programming at the channels – including movies, mini series, specials and series. She is assisting David Kenin, EVP, Programming, in leading the expansion of the programming department as the network broadens its list of product...
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Barbara Fisher oversees the development and production of all original programming at the channels – including movies, mini series, specials and series. She is assisting David Kenin, EVP, Programming, in leading the expansion of the programming department as the network broadens its list of production suppliers and creates new platforms for program distribution. Most recently, Fisher has been a producer/consultant for National Geographic Entertainment, developing scripted and non-scripted series and movies for television. Prior to that, from June 2002 to June 2004, she was EVP, Entertainment, at Lifetime Entertainment Services where she oversaw all scheduling, programming and production for Lifetime Real Women/Movie Network/Television. Under Fisher’s leadership, Lifetime dramatically increased its commitment to original programming. Building on Lifetime’s commitment to inform and support women, Fisher also expanded the on-air components of the Network’s advocacy campaigns addressing a range of issues such as breast cancer, violence against women and self-esteem. Prior to joining Lifetime, Fisher was President of Universal Studios Network Programming and was responsible for series such as “Just Shoot Me” and “The Steve Harvey Show.”

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: USA
Areas of Interest: programming
Best Ways to Pitch: Well thought out pitches with treatments as leave behind. Finished scripts with page of suggested changes. Email or in person
Pitch Irritations: One –line ideas. Ideas that are clearly wrong for our network that show not attempt to learn about the network.

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Fred Fuchs is currently Executive Director, Arts & Entertainment Programming Television, for the Canadian Broadcast Corporation. In this role he is responsible for Drama, Comedy, Variety, Performing Arts, Music, and Children and Youth content. A 25-year veteran of the entertainment industry, Fuch...
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Fred Fuchs is currently Executive Director, Arts & Entertainment Programming Television, for the Canadian Broadcast Corporation. In this role he is responsible for Drama, Comedy, Variety, Performing Arts, Music, and Children and Youth content. A 25-year veteran of the entertainment industry, Fuchs was for most of his career an independent producer responsible for many successful film and television productions, including the classic children’s series "Faerie Tale Theatre", the feature films Bram Stoker’s "Dracula", "The Godfather, Part III", "The Secret Garden" and "The Virgin Suicides", and the Emmy-nominated mini-series "The Odyssey" and "Moby Dick".

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Since February 2008 Rachel Fulford has been Vice President, Creative Affairs for E1 Entertainment where she works on numerous scripted series in development with CBC, CTV, Global, Showcase and The Comedy Network. She was instrumental in three pilots produced in 2008: "Testees" from the fertile mind ...
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Since February 2008 Rachel Fulford has been Vice President, Creative Affairs for E1 Entertainment where she works on numerous scripted series in development with CBC, CTV, Global, Showcase and The Comedy Network. She was instrumental in three pilots produced in 2008: "Testees" from the fertile mind of Kenny Hotz for Showcase and F/X; Shattered starring Callum Keith Rennie and directed by Bobby Roth for Canwest; and "Almost Audrey" starring Laurie Elliott and directed by Bruce McDonald for The Comedy Network. She also supervised the creative aspects of prep, production and post on "Exes & Ohs II" (Logo and Showcase) and "The Best Years II" (The N and Global). Prior to working at E1, she was Showcase’s Director of Original Production. She was with the channel for over nine years and worked on all aspects of development and production with the creators of "Trailer Park Boys", "Paradise Falls", "Kenny vs. Spenny", "Rent-A-Goalie" and many other innovative Canadian shows and related multiplatform content.

Program Executive Survey
Areas of Interest: Scripted Prime Time
Not Interested In
Areas of Interest: Scripted Prime Time
Best Ways to Pitch: Two Sheet/Email
Good co-production partners: …are Welcome!
Contact for Submissions: Mackenzie Lush, Development Assistant. Mlush@e1ent.com

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David Gale is Executive Vice President of New Media for MTV Networks. Since August 2006, Gale has been charged with establishing and running the division to incubate and create original programming, websites and unique experiences on new media platforms. Prior to starting MTV New Media, Gale serve...
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David Gale is Executive Vice President of New Media for MTV Networks. Since August 2006, Gale has been charged with establishing and running the division to incubate and create original programming, websites and unique experiences on new media platforms. Prior to starting MTV New Media, Gale served as Executive Vice President of MTV Films, establishing the brand as a unique movie label with a slate of diverse and successful films that grossed more than a billion dollars in box office and opened 7 movies to #1 in their opening weekends. As its first major project, MTV New Media produced "jackass 2.5", the first-ever studio-produced full length film released on the web, which has been seen by over 5 million people. Jackassworld.com, the internet destination for all things Jackass soon followed, as well as multi-platform experiences for the skate, comic book, and animation communities. In May, 2009, New Media will premiere "$5 Cover" a new project from Craig Brewer, the writer/director of the Academy Award winning movie "Hustle and Flow".

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: North America
Areas of Interest: Multiplatform content and experiences
Not Interested In: On-air, film pitches
Best Ways to Pitch: Two sheet
Contact for Submissions: Rich.monahan@mtvstaff.com

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Karin Gilford serves as Senior Vice President of Fancast and Online Entertainment for Comcast Interactive Media (CIM), a division of Comcast Corporation dedicated to developing and operating online and cross-platform entertainment and media businesses.
In her role, Ms. Gilford is responsible...
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Karin Gilford serves as Senior Vice President of Fancast and Online Entertainment for Comcast Interactive Media (CIM), a division of Comcast Corporation dedicated to developing and operating online and cross-platform entertainment and media businesses.
In her role, Ms. Gilford is responsible for the growth and management of CIM’s cutting-edge online video and entertainment site, Fancast – and pursing further opportunities for CIM in the online entertainment space. Fancast is THE top entertainment site dedicated to celebrating television. Fancast gives fans instant access to an extensive video collection of television shows, movies, trailers and clips, so they can tune-in, catch-up and critique their favorite programming. Ms. Gilford oversees all operations of Fancast including content and business strategy, monetization, and product development.
Before joining CIM, Ms. Gilford spent eight years with Yahoo! serving in several different roles, including Vice President and General Manager of Yahoo! Entertainment where she led all programming, content and business strategy for the entertainment consumer Web sites: Yahoo! Movies, Yahoo! Music, Yahoo! TV, omg!, Shine and Yahoo! Games.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: United States
Areas of Interest: Original production outsoucers. Interesting technology.
Not Interested In: Back-end technology or social media pitches.
Best Ways to Pitch: Two sheet, e-mail
Pitch Irritations: When people don’t look at my business first and pitch irrelevant or hard to imagine opportunities.
Budgets & Costs: Flexibile
Good co-production partners: (domestic / international) Both
Contact for Submissions: Karin_gilford@comcast.com

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As Head of Children's News, Factual & Entertainment at the BBC, Joe Godwin is responsible for CBBC’s factual and entertainment London production. This ranges from Blue Peter and Newsround, through to comedies such as Chucklevision and Dick and Dom.
Joe started his career at the BBC in 1986, ...
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As Head of Children's News, Factual & Entertainment at the BBC, Joe Godwin is responsible for CBBC’s factual and entertainment London production. This ranges from Blue Peter and Newsround, through to comedies such as Chucklevision and Dick and Dom.
Joe started his career at the BBC in 1986, working in regional news, and in 1989 joined the Children's Programmes department as a trainee. He worked as an assistant producer, studio director and producer on shows such as Blue Peter, Going Live and Record Breakers.
From 1997-200 Joe was Editor of Children's Presentation at the BBC, responsible for in-vision continuity for the BBC's children's output.
In 2000 he moved to Nickelodeon UK, holding a number of posts including Head of Original Production and VP Interactive Director.
Joe's also Chair of The Network & Fast Track, the talent development programmes of the Edinburgh TV Festival, and is a member of the Advisory Panel on Children's Viewing of the British Board of Film Classification.

Areas of Interest:
BBC Children’s’s runs two digital channels – CBeebies for children aged 5 and under, and CBBC for 6-12 year olds. We also have slots on the two main BBC channels, BBC1 and BBC2.

Both channels are commissioned by their respective Controllers: Anne Gilchrist for CBBC, and Michael Carrington for CBeebies.

I run the CBBC in-house production department for Factual and Entertainment programming, and we are always looking for partners to co-produce and co-develop with.

Producer who aren’t looking for co- production partnerships with CBBC in-house production need to pitch directly to the Controller, using the online commissioning process at www.bbc.co.uk/childrens

Not Interested In: Not much!

Best Ways to Pitch:
(two sheet vs full proposal; email, online process: etc) For potential co-productions, two-sheet, via email to me. For non co-pro direct pitches to the channel, use the online commissioning system as outlined above

Pitch Irritations:
Not knowing the sort of stuff we do or about the UK kids TV market and audience. I’m happy to tell you what I know!

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Robin Gurney is Executive Vice President of Development and Production for Imagine Television. Since joining four years ago, she has been instrumental in the creation of the series "Lie to Me", "Shark" and the Emmy Award winning, "Friday Night Lights". Her pilots, "Maggie Hill" for Fox and "Parenth...
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Robin Gurney is Executive Vice President of Development and Production for Imagine Television. Since joining four years ago, she has been instrumental in the creation of the series "Lie to Me", "Shark" and the Emmy Award winning, "Friday Night Lights". Her pilots, "Maggie Hill" for Fox and "Parenthood" for NBC are currently in the works. . Prior to Imagine, Robin ran Greg Berlanti's company ("Everwood", "Jack&Bobby") at Warner Brothers, and worked for Francis Coppola's American Zoetrope ("Platinum", "4400"), UPN, Paramount and CBS. Robin was born and raised in Toronto, and has her Honours BFA from York U Theatre.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: USA
Areas of Interest: Scripted primetime television
Not Interested In: daytime, strip shows, youth content
Best Ways to Pitch: Verbal pitches best
Pitch Irritations: too long, not aware of who pitch audience is and what the needs are
Budgets & Costs: Budget for year-round scripted development per deal with 20th Century Fox Television
Good co-production partners: more international, who can partner with 20th Century Fox TV
Contact for Submissions: Per Imagine's policy, materials must be submitted “VIA REPRESENTATION ONLY – MANAGER/AGENT, LAWYER; UNFORTUNATELY, UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONS NOT ACCEPTED.

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As Executive in Charge of Development at CBC Comedy, Jenny Hacker is responsible for finding and overseeing the development of new television comedies for CBC. Prior to joining CBC, Jenny worked as a lawyer and business executive in the television industry, including most recently at CTV and at Alli...
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As Executive in Charge of Development at CBC Comedy, Jenny Hacker is responsible for finding and overseeing the development of new television comedies for CBC. Prior to joining CBC, Jenny worked as a lawyer and business executive in the television industry, including most recently at CTV and at Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting as VP of Business and Legal Affairs. Her final year at Alliance Atlantis was spent in it Dublin, Ireland office where she was responsible for international licensing and taking out the biscuit tin at tea-time.

During her career, Jenny has written comedy for tv and radio, most recently for the 2006 CBC television comedy "Not This But This". She holds a law degree from Osgoode Hall but will deny it if questioned.

Please visit link provided for Jenny Hacker's Program Executive Survey Information.

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As VP, Programming & Production, Corus Kids Television, Jocelyn Hamilton is responsible for overseeing the programming strategies for YTV, Treehouse and Discovery Kids, as well as managing the creative content for Nelvana Studios.

In conjunction with her role as a broadcast executive...
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As VP, Programming & Production, Corus Kids Television, Jocelyn Hamilton is responsible for overseeing the programming strategies for YTV, Treehouse and Discovery Kids, as well as managing the creative content for Nelvana Studios.

In conjunction with her role as a broadcast executive, Hamilton is an award winning producer with nearly two decades of experience in children’s television and has brought over 3000 episodes of quality children’s entertainment to life. A loyal supporter of the Canadian production industry, she is also a member of the President’s Council at Corus and sits on the board of the Alliance for Children and Television.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region:
- Canada
Areas of Interest:
YTV (6-12)
- Animated quirky, cartoony, character-driven comedies
- Live Action Comedies
- Kids Reality
Treehouse (2-5)
- Funny, character-driven series with heart
- Developmentally appropriate, non-core educational
Discovery Kids (7-14)
- Fun, adventurous, kid driven, intelligent series for curious minds

Not Interested In: Content not suitable to our Core Demo
Best Ways to Pitch: Send materials via e-mail to contact below. The more information on your show, the better (i.e. Series Bible, Designs, Sample stories or Scripts, Promo or Trailer)
Pitch Irritations: No knowledge of our current programming
Budgets & Costs: Not necessary
Good co-production partners: n/a
Contact for Submissions:Leah Wolfson (leah.wolfson@corusent.com)

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William Hamm is executive vice president, Originals Production and Development for Starz Media, LLC, overseeing all live-action television programming development and production for Starz Media, and original programming development and production for Starz Entertainment, LLC.

Befor...
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William Hamm is executive vice president, Originals Production and Development for Starz Media, LLC, overseeing all live-action television programming development and production for Starz Media, and original programming development and production for Starz Entertainment, LLC.

Before joining Starz Media in 2007, he was EVP, Television, at filmmaker Sam Raimi’s Ghost House Pictures. Earlier in his career, he served as senior vice president of scripted drama at Universal Television, where he was instrumental in bringing in Raimi, and his producing partner Rob Tapert, to develop and produce such mega-hits as “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” and “Xena: Warrior Princess.” Hamm was also responsible for developing NBC’s “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.” Hamm’s career also included stints at ABC Television, Britain’s Granada TV and Tribune Entertainment.

Program Executive Survey

Broadcast Region: Domestic/International Distribution

Areas of Interest: Original Programming: Live Action, Anime, Comedy

Not Interested In: Period Pieces

Best Ways to Pitch: (two sheet vs full proposal; email, online process: etc) In-person, Treatment, Completed or Draft of full script

Pitch Irritations: Unfocused pitch or being unprepared

Budgets & Costs: (at the same time as original proposal) Varies – on a case by case basis - Studios, Production Companies

Good co-production partners: Studios, Production Companies

Contact for Submissions: Agencies, Film Production Companies or Film Studios to partner with and Business Managers

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Robert Hardy has been a member of CTV’s development team since 2004, Robert oversees the development and production of scripted and alternative programming in Western Canada.

Among the many productions Robert has worked on with CTV are the upcoming dramatic series “Defying Gravity”, t...
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Robert Hardy has been a member of CTV’s development team since 2004, Robert oversees the development and production of scripted and alternative programming in Western Canada.

Among the many productions Robert has worked on with CTV are the upcoming dramatic series “Defying Gravity”, the television movies “Playing For Keeps” and “Elijah”; the Gemini-award winning documentary “Hockey Brawl: Battle on Thin Ice”; and the Gemini-nominated documentaries “There’s Something Out There: A Bigfoot Encounter” and “As Seen On TV: The K-Tel Story”.

Formerly the Director of Corporate Development for the National Screen Institute of Canada, a Senior Communications Officer for CBC, and an independent producer, Robert has held a variety of both creative and business related positions in advertising, broadcasting, public & government relations and the arts over the past 18 years.

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As the Vice President, Acquisitions and Operations, Paul Hazen is responsible for acquiring new film and television properties for MarVista’s expanding library. A veteran to the industry, Hazen served the previous 4 years as a producer’s rep at Pierce Law Group, LLP where he was involved in the acqu...
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As the Vice President, Acquisitions and Operations, Paul Hazen is responsible for acquiring new film and television properties for MarVista’s expanding library. A veteran to the industry, Hazen served the previous 4 years as a producer’s rep at Pierce Law Group, LLP where he was involved in the acquisition, negotiation, and placement of over 100 independent feature films with domestic and foreign distributors, sales agents, and foreign buyers. His prior experience includes positions with such companies as Tulchin Entertainment (Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Sales), KoalaTV, William Morris Agency, Chancellor Entertainment, and Infinity Management International. Mr. Hazen attends all of the major markets and festivals including AFM, Cannes, MIPTV, MIPCOM, NATPE, Toronto, Sundance and Slamdance. Paul has also organized panels and lectured extensively at such festivals and schools such as the AFI Film Festival, Hollywood Film Festival, Slamdance, CineVegas, Emerson College, MethodFest, and Cal State Northridge.

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Noel Hedges is responsible for ITV Global Entertainment’s entire drama portfolio and for raising coproduction and presales finance for drama projects, ensuring that ITV GE maintains its position as the leading distributor of high quality and commercial drama.

Noel was formerly VP Sa...
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Noel Hedges is responsible for ITV Global Entertainment’s entire drama portfolio and for raising coproduction and presales finance for drama projects, ensuring that ITV GE maintains its position as the leading distributor of high quality and commercial drama.

Noel was formerly VP Sales at Granada International in charge of sales to France and Scandinavia. Fluent in French and German, he joined the Granada International sales team in 2003 and prior to this was a Sales Executive at Carlton International.

He was previously Business Affairs Executive at BBC Acquisitions and was Rights Officer at Granada Television in Manchester.

ITV Global Entertainment is one of the World’s leading International TV Distribution, Acquisition and Co-Production, Home Entertainment, Publishing and Consumer Product businesses. ITV Global Entertainment is an integrated part of ITV Global Content, led by Lee Bartlett, Managing Director.

Program Executive Stream
Broadcast Region: UK
Areas of Interest: Drama series, MOWs, miniseries and half hour comedy.
Not Interested In:Theatrical feature films.
Best Ways to Pitch: Conversation, one sheet, email and discussion.
Pitch Irritations: Pitches that are too long.
Budgets & Costs (at the same time as original proposal): Yes it helps.
Good co-production partners: US / Canada / Australia / Germany
Contact for Submissions: Noel Hedges

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Joan Jenkinson is the Director of Independent Production and Executive Producer for the S-VOX channels VisionTV, JoyTV 10 & 11, and One: the Body, Mind & Spirit Channel where she commissions, drama, documentary, music and lifestyle programs. She has been with S-VOX for eight years. Prior to joining ...
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Joan Jenkinson is the Director of Independent Production and Executive Producer for the S-VOX channels VisionTV, JoyTV 10 & 11, and One: the Body, Mind & Spirit Channel where she commissions, drama, documentary, music and lifestyle programs. She has been with S-VOX for eight years. Prior to joining S-VOX she was the Executive Director of Women in Film & Television. She is one of the founding Board Members of Hot Docs and ReelWorld Film Festival.

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As President, Animation, Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group, Ms. Johnson spearheads development and production for all animated programming across Nickelodeon, the largest producer of television animation in the US, while continuing to oversee development and production for all preschool pro...
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As President, Animation, Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group, Ms. Johnson spearheads development and production for all animated programming across Nickelodeon, the largest producer of television animation in the US, while continuing to oversee development and production for all preschool programming.

During her 20 years at Nickelodeon, Ms. Johnson has supervised the creative direction of contemporary classics such as “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and Nickelodeon’s most recent hits “The Penguins of Madagascar” in partnership with DreamWorks Animation SKG and “The Mighty B!” starring Amy Poehler. In addition, Ms. Johnson has been the driving force behind Nickelodeon Preschool, which includes Nick Jr., Nickelodeon’s programming block dedicated to preschoolers seen over 96 million homes, and NOGGIN, Nickelodeon’s 24-hour commercial-free digital educational network for preschoolers seen in 69 million homes.

While under Ms. Johnson’s vision and leadership, Nick Jr. became the number-one preschool brand, where she nurtured groundbreaking properties including “Blue’s Clues,” “Dora the Explorer,” “The Backyardigans,” and “The Wonder Pets!”. Her brand strategy for Nick Jr. has spawned multiple businesses for Nickelodeon including an extensive consumer products line, Nick Jr. Magazine and nickjr.com.

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Marcela Kadanka is the Acting Creative Head of TV Drama at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, a position she has assumed while Sally Catto is on leave. Ms. Kadanka steps into this posting from her role as Senior Director of TV Arts & Entertainment at CBC, a position she has held since 2...
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Marcela Kadanka is the Acting Creative Head of TV Drama at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, a position she has assumed while Sally Catto is on leave. Ms. Kadanka steps into this posting from her role as Senior Director of TV Arts & Entertainment at CBC, a position she has held since 2000.

As Senior Director of TV A & E, Ms. Kadanka carries significant leadership and management responsibilities relating to the commissioning and production of CBC’s drama, comedy, variety, arts, music and children’s programming.

Before moving into this position, Ms. Kadanka was Director of Independent Production at CBC TV A & E from 1994 to 1996 and Director of Production Financing from 1996 to 2000.

In addition to her duties at CBC, Ms. Kadanka has served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Television Fund and Telefilm Canada’s Feature Film Fund Working Group. Before joining CBC, Ms. Kadanka practiced corporate, commercial and entertainment law for six years at Lang Michener in Toronto.

Program Executive Survey

Broadcast Region:Canada - national
Areas of Interest: Priority is one hour contemporary drama series for 9pm aimed at broad audiences with core demographic target of 25-54. We are looking for an episodic structure, with some character/story arcs playing over a season or series rather than a serialized structure. At the current time, we are seeking to enrich our development slate with new projects that include some lighter or comedic elements, BC-based series and series suited for international co-production. In addition to series, we develop/licence a small number of MOW’s per year - family holiday movies and/or literary based or Canadian culture-driven movies.
Not Interested In:
Teen drama, sci fi, horror, pure action, docudrama, soap or procedurals in legal/medical/crime territory except where clearly distinguishable and distinct from popular US procedurals. Generally not interested in miniseries, or feature films until after completion. Interest in developing family series is currently quite limited.
Best Ways to Pitch:
(two sheet vs full proposal; email, online process: etc) 2 sheet pitches for Banff face-to-face sessions, plus full proposal (if available) for potential follow up.
Pitch Irritations:
Lack of clarity - please do your best to fully describe and communicate the show you imagine, e.g. in terms of tone, attitude, look, feel, themes, ideas, emotions, characterization etc. It can help to be comparative, so if your show can be likened to or distinguished from others, please use specific examples.
Budgets & Costs:
(at the same time as original proposal) Please be prepared to discuss ballpark development and production budgets and financing plans.
Good co-production partners:
(domestic / international)
Contact for Submissions:
Please see http://www.cbc.ca/independentproducers/development.html

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Michael is responsible for all factual programming outside of the lifestyle genre for Canwest Broadcasting. Channels include terrestrials Global, E!, and specialty channels, History Television, Mystery, National Geographic Canada, IFC, Men and Showcase.

Michael joined Alliance Atlant...
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Michael is responsible for all factual programming outside of the lifestyle genre for Canwest Broadcasting. Channels include terrestrials Global, E!, and specialty channels, History Television, Mystery, National Geographic Canada, IFC, Men and Showcase.

Michael joined Alliance Atlantis in 1997 when History Television launched and was Director of Original Content for that channel. He was responsible for over 100 hours of original HD programming each year, fifty per cent of them in co-production with international partners.

Michael started out at the CBC in radio and children’s television. He later joined the launch team of CBC Newsworld where he became a series producer for talk and magazine shows and network news specials, including creating and producing the documentary strand "Passionate Eye."

In 1994 he left the CBC to produce and direct documentaries and multi-platform programming. Michael was the site producer for CBC’s PNN, an experimental video-on-demand news service, and produced the first federal election and Olympic websites for CBC and various partners.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Canada – English.
Areas of Interest: History, Mystery, Factual Entertainment, Special Feature Docs, Reality.
Not Interested In: Sports related programming, or for that matter anything with ‘Extreme’ in the title.
Best Ways to Pitch: Full proposals are preferred via email.
Pitch Irritations: We strongly encourage treatments that have depth and that reflect a familiarity with the intended channel.
Budgets & Costs:(at the same time as original proposal) Budgets and financing scenarios are always welcome with the initial pitch.
Good co-production partners: We do many co-productions with international partners that do not broadcast into Canada.
Contact for Submissions:
Sam Gojanovich
Program Coordinator, Factual Content
Canwest Broadcasting
121 Bloor St East, Toronto, ON. M4W 3M5
sgojanovich@canwest.com

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Clare Laycock began her television career at Discovery UK as an early lifestyle pioneer launching Discovery's first lifestyle channels and ending up as VP & Channel Director for Discovery Health and Discovery Kids. After that she moved to the BBC as Head of Campaigns, delivering multiplatform projec...
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Clare Laycock began her television career at Discovery UK as an early lifestyle pioneer launching Discovery's first lifestyle channels and ending up as VP & Channel Director for Discovery Health and Discovery Kids. After that she moved to the BBC as Head of Campaigns, delivering multiplatform projects as part of the BBC's factual commissioning team, including HIV awareness, ethical fashion and mental health. Clare is now Channel Head for two of UKTV's lifestyle channels, UKTV Style and UKTV Gardens.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: UK
Areas of Interest: Lifestyle & Factual
Best Ways to Pitch: (two sheet vs full proposal; email, online process: etc) Email – one paragraph initially.
Pitch Irritations: Non-targeted pitches
Budgets & Costs:(at the same time as original proposal) Indication of cost in initial pitch email
Good co-production partners: (domestic / international) Both
Contact for Submissions: Clare.laycock@uktv.co.uk

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Betsy LeBlanc, Senior Sales Manager of PBS International has more than 16 years of broadcast marketing and sales experience. Betsy helped to launch the division originally as WGBH International, the worldwide co-production and distribution division of WGBH-TV 11 years ago and has played an instrumen...
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Betsy LeBlanc, Senior Sales Manager of PBS International has more than 16 years of broadcast marketing and sales experience. Betsy helped to launch the division originally as WGBH International, the worldwide co-production and distribution division of WGBH-TV 11 years ago and has played an instrumental role in the successful growth of the company including the transition to PBS International and its flourishing representation of top filmmakers from around the world such as Ken Burns, Ofra Bikel, Stanley Nelson, Mary Olive Smith, Steven Engel and Robert Stone.

Currently Betsy is responsible for the licensing of PBS International content to partners in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe and Africa and, in conjunction with the Vice President of PBS International and Director of Acquisitions, is responsible for sourcing new content for the PBS International catalogue.

Program Executive Survey

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David Levine joined Disney ABC Cable Networks Group in March 2004 and is responsible for overseeing global programming and acquisition strategies for the Disney ABC kids’ brands worldwide. He led the task force to launch the new Disney XD channel in the US and is now guiding strategies for rolling o...
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David Levine joined Disney ABC Cable Networks Group in March 2004 and is responsible for overseeing global programming and acquisition strategies for the Disney ABC kids’ brands worldwide. He led the task force to launch the new Disney XD channel in the US and is now guiding strategies for rolling out the channel on a worldwide basis. He is also actively pursuing co-production opportunities for all the Disney kids platforms, and oversees transforming Disney local productions into global content, including the new “Stitch!” series, originally produced in Japan. Levine joined Disney from Ragdoll USA Inc. where he was Vice President of Business Affairs and Development, overseeing all legal matters and North American television sales. Prior to Ragdoll he served as General Counsel to The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company, overseeing the legal group supporting the billion dollar "Teletubbies" franchise in North/South America. Levine got his start in the industry working for Marvel Entertainment Group overseeing legal compliance of its licensees and working on a variety of intellectual property matters.

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Richard Life manages ITV Global’s relationships with its factual producer clients both within ITV’s own production business, ITV Studios, and with a wide range of independent producers around the world. This includes overseeing ITV Global Entertainment’s factual co-production business and its defici...
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Richard Life manages ITV Global’s relationships with its factual producer clients both within ITV’s own production business, ITV Studios, and with a wide range of independent producers around the world. This includes overseeing ITV Global Entertainment’s factual co-production business and its deficit funding, development and distribution activities with those independent producers.

Previously, he was Head of Programming at Channel 4 International (C4i), where he managed C4I’s deficit financing, programme development and co-production activities.

Prior to joining C4i, Richard was Group Editor at Broadcasting & Cable’s International Television Group and spent time as both news and international editor of leading UK trade publication Broadcast.

Between and after periods of time as a journalist, Richard worked for several years in a series of development and production roles at leading UK-based independent producers, Wall to Wall Television and September Films. There, he worked on a range of factual programming for BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: UK broadcast; worldwide distribution
Areas of Interest: documentaries, factual entertainment/reality with global appeal as finished or as format
Not Interested In: drama; studio-based entertainment, quizzes; kids/animation
Best Ways to Pitch: via email or shipped, ideally 2-pages only with supporting pitch tape
Pitch Irritations: anything too long; anything that lacks a story; copy-cat reality
Budgets & Costs:Good to have but not essential at first pitch
Good co-production partners: National Geographic; Discovery
Contact for Submissions: Andrew.bowers@itv.com

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As the Director of Program Funds & Policy for Corus Television, Susan is responsible for managing the internal programming policies, regulatory and funding procedures for Corus’ specialty and pay networks. Susan is actively involved in the regulatory and policy issues affecting each network and...
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As the Director of Program Funds & Policy for Corus Television, Susan is responsible for managing the internal programming policies, regulatory and funding procedures for Corus’ specialty and pay networks. Susan is actively involved in the regulatory and policy issues affecting each network and works closely with Canadian funding agencies and Corus’ production partners to finance original Canadian production and new media initiatives. Susan administers the Corus Made with Pay Fund and is extensively involved in the strategy and usage of various program funds, including the Canadian Television Fund, across all Corus networks.

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Gary Marenzi is Co-President of the revitalized Worldwide Television operation of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). He re-joined MGM in May, 2007, and he shares overall responsibility for the division with Co-President Jim Packer. Mr. Marenzi’s duties include overseeing both production and di...
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Gary Marenzi is Co-President of the revitalized Worldwide Television operation of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). He re-joined MGM in May, 2007, and he shares overall responsibility for the division with Co-President Jim Packer. Mr. Marenzi’s duties include overseeing both production and distribution for television and digital media at MGM.

Prior to his appointment at MGM, Mr. Marenzi was President of Marenzi & Associates, which he founded in 2004 to provide strategic management advice and implementation for the media and entertainment industry. Some of Marenzi’s clients included Lucasfilm Ltd, IMAX Corporation, Sinclair Broadcast Group, ProSieben/Sat1 Germany, TV 4 Sweden, TV 2 Norway, TV 2 Denmark, TeleFilm Argentina and Amedia Russia .

Prior to founding his own firm, Mr. Marenzi was President of International Television for Paramount Pictures for seven years. During his tenure with Paramount, Mr. Marenzi generated several billion dollars in license fee revenue for Paramount feature films, TV programming and formats with TV broadcasters and cable channels outside the U.S. He also oversaw Paramount’s TV co-production/co-financing operations that yielded USA Network’s hits, "The Dead Zone" and "The 4400".

Between 1992 and 1997, Mr. Marenzi recorded his first tour of duty at MGM as President of the MGM Telecommunications Group, where he was responsible for all of MGM’s international television and worldwide pay television business activities. Before MGM, Mr. Marenzi was President of the UIP Pay TV Group based in London for three years. In the early portion of his career, Mr. Marenzi laid a foundation for his experience in television with roles at Skouras Pictures, Inc., The Samuel Goldwyn Company, Warner Home Video, Columbia Pictures, and HBO.
Mr. Marenzi received both his BA and MBA from Stanford University.

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Kathleen McCaffrey joined HBO as a Creative Executive in April 2008, and is currently involved in development and production, specifically working on both HBO’s half-hour and hour-long series including “ENTOURAGE”, “THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY”, “BIG LOVE”, and “TRUE BLOOD”, as well as the up...
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Kathleen McCaffrey joined HBO as a Creative Executive in April 2008, and is currently involved in development and production, specifically working on both HBO’s half-hour and hour-long series including “ENTOURAGE”, “THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY”, “BIG LOVE”, and “TRUE BLOOD”, as well as the upcoming series “HUNG”, “BORED TO DEATH”, and “HOW TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA”.

Prior to working at HBO, Kathleen worked in the Television Literary Department of United Talent Agency, where she began in the mailroom and was promoted in 2008 after working for several agents including Sue Naegle, who now serves as President of Original Programming at HBO. Kathleen graduated from New York University in 2004.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: United States

Areas of Interest: Scripted series, Comedy + Drama

Not Interested In:
Reality, shows that reach a younger/adolescent audience

Best Ways to Pitch:
(two sheet vs full proposal; email, online process: etc) via representation

Pitch Irritations: Lack of awareness for HBO brand

Budgets & Costs:
(at the same time as original proposal) n/a

Good co-production partners:n(domestic / international) n/a

Contact for Submissions:via representation

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Leonardo Menezes is Head of International Relations for Canal Futura, the educational channel of the Roberto Marinho Foundation, the social company of Globo Organizations, the world's 4th largest media group. Leonardo has extensive experience as Content Projects Coordinator and screenwriter in diffe...
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Leonardo Menezes is Head of International Relations for Canal Futura, the educational channel of the Roberto Marinho Foundation, the social company of Globo Organizations, the world's 4th largest media group. Leonardo has extensive experience as Content Projects Coordinator and screenwriter in different media such as television, online, documentaries, movies and social media initiatives.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Brazil
Areas of Interest: Children, family and historical movies; educational teen programming; social documentaries; educational programming; programming aimed at low income audience.
Not Interested In: sports, adult programming, comedy.
Best Ways to Pitch: email
Pitch Irritations: people that do not understand our non-profit business.
Budgets & Costs: yes
Good co-production partners: international
Contact for Submissions: leomenezes@futura.org.br

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TV industry veteran John Morayniss is the CEO of E1 Television (formerly Blueprint Entertainment, Barna Alper Productions and Oasis International), a leading creator, producer and international distributor of quality entertainment. Mr. Morayniss was formerly the Chairman and CEO of Blueprint Entert...
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TV industry veteran John Morayniss is the CEO of E1 Television (formerly Blueprint Entertainment, Barna Alper Productions and Oasis International), a leading creator, producer and international distributor of quality entertainment. Mr. Morayniss was formerly the Chairman and CEO of Blueprint Entertainment, a thriving independent studio he founded with Noreen Halpern in 2002. Blueprint was bought by E1 Entertainment in 2008.

Mr. Morayniss oversees the strategic growth of the company as well as the well as the international production, development, licensing and distribution operations. In addition, he serves as Executive Producer on many E1 Television productions, with the latest being "Hung", a dark comedy for HBO, and "Shattered", a crime series starring Callum Keith Rennie (Californication).

Prior to launching, Mr. Morayniss was head of television for all of Alliance Atlantis' development and production activities, and oversaw and/or executive produced an impressive slate of award winning movies and miniseries.

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Emily Morgan is a seasoned programmer with multi-channel experience. Prior to joining these lifestyle channels, Emily served as Vice-President, Content on three dramatic networks, Showcase Action, Showcase Diva and IFC. She joined Alliance Atlantis (now Canwest) in 2001 to launch Action and Diva, IF...
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Emily Morgan is a seasoned programmer with multi-channel experience. Prior to joining these lifestyle channels, Emily served as Vice-President, Content on three dramatic networks, Showcase Action, Showcase Diva and IFC. She joined Alliance Atlantis (now Canwest) in 2001 to launch Action and Diva, IFC was added to her portfolio in 2005. Emily’s broadcasting experience before Alliance Atlantis included a stint in Sydney, Australia, where she directed programming for two pay television services for Movievision Pty Ltd. Emily also worked for the Department of Canadian Heritage, where she advised on broadcasting policy; and her first assignment in the industry was with the Astral Communications Group, where she programmed The Movie Network and oversaw the successful launch of Moviepix, Canada’s first classic movie service.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Canada
Areas of Interest: Entertaining programming set in the world of Food
Not Interested In: Fine Living, Discovery Health or Food instructional programming
Best Ways to Pitch: Two-sheet or full proposal by email
Pitch Irritations: No demo for host driven projects. Pitches that don’t reflect an understanding of the service
Good co-production partners: Food US, UK and Australian broadcasters
Contact for Submissions: Brynn Tschirhart btschirhart@canwest.com

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Philippe Muller was born in France. He studied German language, literature and civilization, linguistics and theology. He began his professional career as a commissioning editor, producer and author at Südwestfunk (German public TV, Baden-Baden). Previously he had created a dubbing and subtitling ...
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Philippe Muller was born in France. He studied German language, literature and civilization, linguistics and theology. He began his professional career as a commissioning editor, producer and author at Südwestfunk (German public TV, Baden-Baden). Previously he had created a dubbing and subtitling company. He finally joined the founding team of ARTE (European Culture Channel) as commissioning editor. Currently he is deputy head of the Arte Programm-department "Thematic Evenings" in Strasbourg, France.

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Hideo Murata joined NHK in 1983 as a TV director. He initially worked at a regional station, where he gained experience of program production in all genres. He moved to the NHK Broadcasting Center in Tokyo in 1988.

Murata spent 15 years making documentaries and other programs on histo...
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Hideo Murata joined NHK in 1983 as a TV director. He initially worked at a regional station, where he gained experience of program production in all genres. He moved to the NHK Broadcasting Center in Tokyo in 1988.

Murata spent 15 years making documentaries and other programs on history, social welfare, and current affairs. Having majored in Russian at university and being keenly interested in other countries, he also took an interest in international program development.

In 1998, Murata joined NHK’s international division, where he helped run a worldwide transmission network. In 2003, he moved to NHK’s distribution arm, where he worked on documentary acquisition. In 2007, he became NHK’s senior producer in charge of international development of programs.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Japan
Areas of Interest: Documentary (Poverty, Food System, Beatles, Women Around 40, Slow Life). High End/Award Winning Culture, History, Science Doc and Docudrama. Looking for unique and innovative methodology.
Not Interested In: Natural History, Wildlife, Animal
Best Ways to Pitch: email
Good co-production partners: NFB, France 5, Science Ch and other EBU broadcasters.

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Karen O’Hara (Director of Original Movies at Sci Fi Channel) began her career in the entertainment business over twenty years ago, starting as a performer in a traveling children’s show. She then turned to freelancing in various production jobs to learn the nuts and bolts of the behind-the-scenes w...
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Karen O’Hara (Director of Original Movies at Sci Fi Channel) began her career in the entertainment business over twenty years ago, starting as a performer in a traveling children’s show. She then turned to freelancing in various production jobs to learn the nuts and bolts of the behind-the-scenes world. Before long, she settled into a freelance relationship with HBO, working as story analyst, documentary researcher, acquisitions consultant and creative producer on the Cinemax After Dark series. Moving into a staff position at HBO, she helped create the Film and Talent Evaluation Dept. to seek out new talent and product. Five years later she left HBO to work as a consultant for the Sci Fi Channel, then joined the staff where she currently supervises production of over thirty original movies a year.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Cable Channel US
Areas of Interest: Creature Features, Fantasy Adventure, Science Fiction
ot Interested In: Conventional dramas.
Best Ways to Pitch: One-paragraph concepts by email.
Pitch Irritations: Long treatments – we develop from concepts.
Budgets & Costs:(at the same time as original proposal) Our license fee is $750K and we expect a budget of approximately $1.5M.
Good co-production partners:(domestic / international) US – Starz, Cinetel, RHI, MarVista & others. INTL – UFO, Insight, Reunion, Frontstreet, Muse
Contact for Submissions: Karen O’Hara- Karen.ohara@nbcuni.com

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Francesca Orsi is Director, HBO Entertainment, Drama Series for Home Box Office. She is responsible for developing and supervising production of drama series. Francesca was named to this position in June 2008.

Most recently Francesca worked on the highly acclaimed hit series “TRUE BL...
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Francesca Orsi is Director, HBO Entertainment, Drama Series for Home Box Office. She is responsible for developing and supervising production of drama series. Francesca was named to this position in June 2008.

Most recently Francesca worked on the highly acclaimed hit series “TRUE BLOOD”. She also serves as an executive on current programming such as “IN TREATMENT”, and “BIG LOVE”, and was an executive on off-air one hour programs such as “DEADWOOD” and “THE WIRE”. Upcoming projects she’s working on include “TREME” and “BOARDWALK EMPIRE”.

Francesca joined HBO in August 2003 as an assistant in HBO Entertainment. Prior to working at HBO, Francesca served as an assistant in the Television Literary & Packaging department at the William Morris Agency.

Francesca has a degree in Communication Studies and Theatre from Loyola Marymount University, and a graduate degree in Television and Screenwriting from University of Southern California.

Program Executive Survey

Broadcast Region: United States

Areas of Interest: Scripted series, Comedy + Drama

Not Interested In: Reality, shows that reach a younger/adolescent audience

Best Ways to Pitch:(two sheet vs full proposal; email, online process: etc) via representation

Pitch Irritations: Lack of awareness for HBO brand

Budgets & Costs:
(at the same time as original proposal) n/a

Good co-production partners:
(domestic / international) n/a

Contact for Submissions: via representation

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Caitlin O'Donovan is the Director of Kids Interactive at Corus Entertainment where she leads the online strategic direction and operation of sites for YTV, Treehouse and Discovery Kids. Previously, she oversaw Corus' Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games, supervised new media production for the C...
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Caitlin O'Donovan is the Director of Kids Interactive at Corus Entertainment where she leads the online strategic direction and operation of sites for YTV, Treehouse and Discovery Kids. Previously, she oversaw Corus' Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games, supervised new media production for the CFC Media Lab, and lead the design of the TELUS Innovation Fund which invests in emerging forms of entertainment.

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Tessa has been working within the Programme Acquisition team at UK broadcaster, Channel 4, for four years. Tessa negotiates and green lights deals with suppliers of all types of programming and is responsible for ensuring that all business affairs aspects relating to those deals, are fulfilled. Te...
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Tessa has been working within the Programme Acquisition team at UK broadcaster, Channel 4, for four years. Tessa negotiates and green lights deals with suppliers of all types of programming and is responsible for ensuring that all business affairs aspects relating to those deals, are fulfilled. Tessa is also responsible for helping the team and channels to identify the best series and films for broadcast on all Channel 4 linear and on-demand services. The Programme Acquisition team licences rights in feature films, series and documentaries across all the existing and newly developed Channel 4 services including Channel 4, E4, More 4, Film 4, Channel 4 HD, Channel 4’s on-demand service 4OD and other Channel 4 new media platforms.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: UNITED KINGDOM
Areas of Interest: FINISHED NORTH AMERICAN SERIES (including drama and comedy for the full range of Channel 4 channels), FEATURE LENGTH DOCS and FEATURE FILMS.
Not Interested In: NATURE PROGRAMMING
Best Ways to Pitch: EMAIL THEN SCREENER
Budgets & Costs: VARIES DEPENDING ON CHANNEL AND TYPE OF PROGRAMMING
Good co-production partners: MIXTURE OF STUDIOS AND INDEPENDENTS
Contact for Submissions: Tpaine@channel4.co.uk

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Susanna has been recently named SVP, Children’s and Children’s Business Development. She will head efforts to launch an English language CBeebies – the BBC’s channel for preschoolers - in the U.S. Additionally, she will continue to be responsible for growing BBC Worldwide’s children’s brands in th...
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Susanna has been recently named SVP, Children’s and Children’s Business Development. She will head efforts to launch an English language CBeebies – the BBC’s channel for preschoolers - in the U.S. Additionally, she will continue to be responsible for growing BBC Worldwide’s children’s brands in the U.S., Canada and Latin America for titles such as Charlie and Lola, In the Night Garden and the upcoming Tronji.

Susanna Pollack rejoined BBC Worldwide as SVP TV Sales, Co-Productions and Children’s in March 2008. As the most senior sales and distribution and co-productions representative in the New York headquarters, Susanna was responsible for spearheading all sales activity across a variety of genres in both North and Latin America. She was also tasked with leading the growth of the children’s brands in the region.

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Julián Rodríguez Montero has acted as Acquisition Manager for Telefe, since 2006. His position involves the evaluation and negotiation of films, documentaries, telenovelas, formats and all other foreign material. He is also in charge of the film programming of the channel. Julián began working in te...
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Julián Rodríguez Montero has acted as Acquisition Manager for Telefe, since 2006. His position involves the evaluation and negotiation of films, documentaries, telenovelas, formats and all other foreign material. He is also in charge of the film programming of the channel. Julián began working in television in 1993 and his career includes experience with both public and commercial broadcasters. Prior to Telefe, he worked as Programming Manager for TCM Latin America.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Argetina. Free TV.
Areas of Interest: Films, formats, documentaries.
Not Interested In: Animation, Child programming
Best Ways to Pitch: e-mail
Good co-production partners: Endemol, Fremantle Media, Eyework 4 Cabezas.
Contact for Submissions: jrodriguezmontero@telefe.com.ar

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Frank Saperstein, Senior Vice President of Kids & Animation brings over 20 years of experience in media creation, development, production and distribution to E1 Entertainment. His credits include over 400 episodes of television, feature film, new media, shorts and commercials. Prior to joining E1, F...
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Frank Saperstein, Senior Vice President of Kids & Animation brings over 20 years of experience in media creation, development, production and distribution to E1 Entertainment. His credits include over 400 episodes of television, feature film, new media, shorts and commercials. Prior to joining E1, Frank has served as Co-CEO/creative director of PASI (Philippine Animation Studio Inc.), producer/director and development consultant for VH1/MTV Networks, and as producer/writer/director at Matinee Entertainment. Previous credits include award-winning productions, “Kampung Boy” - winner for Best Television Series at Annecy Film Festival (Fox Kids/Teletoon), “Bob and Margaret”(Comedy Central/Global TV), “Kong: The Animated Series” (Fox Kids/Teletoon), “Captain Flamingo” (YTV/Jetix), “The Ren & Stimpy Show” (Nickelodeon/MTV) , and “Pee-wee's Playhouse “(CBS). Mr. Saperstein holds an MFA from New York University and has been a featured speaker and instructor at film festivals, markets, conferences and universities around the globe.

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As Senior vice-president, drama and factual content Christine oversees all development and commissioning of dramatic and factual programming for all non lifestyle Canwest specialty channels, and the priority programming slates for Global and E!

A seasoned executive, Christine has pla...
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As Senior vice-president, drama and factual content Christine oversees all development and commissioning of dramatic and factual programming for all non lifestyle Canwest specialty channels, and the priority programming slates for Global and E!

A seasoned executive, Christine has played a strong role in rebuilding the Canwest Canadian original slate for Global and E! since joining the company in 2005. Prior to this, Christine has held a variety of senior positions in organizations including Blueprint Entertainment, W Network, Landscape Entertainment Canada, Alliance Atlantis Television and CBC Television.
She has been responsible for developing and overseeing some great Canadian programming throughout her career, including “Da Kink in My Hair”, “Due South”, “North of 60”, “Cold Squad”, the “Diana Kilmury Stor” and “Sue Rodriquez”.

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Robert Sorcher is responsible for driving the Cartoon Network’s overall content development strategy, including original series, acquisitions, long form and special events. Along with managing the team of content executives, he also oversees production and Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, Calif....
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Robert Sorcher is responsible for driving the Cartoon Network’s overall content development strategy, including original series, acquisitions, long form and special events. Along with managing the team of content executives, he also oversees production and Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, Calif. Sorcher reports directly to Stuart Snyder, president and chief operating officer of Turner Broadcasting System’s Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media, a portfolio of cable networks, digital properties and entertainment businesses for kids and young adults. Most recently, Sorcher was executive vice president of programming and production for AMC Network, where he oversaw program development and supervised the scheduling of the network and on-air presentation since 2002. He also served as executive producer for AMC’s original programming and is credited with leading the network to tremendous ratings growth and expanding its original programming slate to include the successful series “Sunday Morning Shootout”, the award-winning “Broken Trail” starring Robert Duvall and Thomas Haden Church, and the critically-acclaimed series “Mad Men” and “Hustle”.

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Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Germany
Areas of Interest: Entertainment Formats, Factual Entertainment, Events, Game, Variety, Comedy, Lifestyle, Talk
Not Interested In: Drama, Animation , Documentaries, History, Science, Current Affairs
Best Ways to Pitch: (two sheet vs full proposal; email, online process: etc) Clear and brief
Budgets & Costs:(at the same time as original proposal) No allowance, depends on content/genre
Contact for Submissions: stoll.c@zdf.de

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As Director of Development at WEtv, Joe Swift is responsible for soliciting, reviewing, and shaping programming proposals. In 2008, new series like "The Locator" generated extraordinary ratings growth of 39% for the network. Prior to joining WE, Joe was an Executive Producer at the Travel Channel,...
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As Director of Development at WEtv, Joe Swift is responsible for soliciting, reviewing, and shaping programming proposals. In 2008, new series like "The Locator" generated extraordinary ratings growth of 39% for the network. Prior to joining WE, Joe was an Executive Producer at the Travel Channel, responsible for 100 hours of original programming annually. He oversaw the first four seasons of the "World Poker Tour", which created a new television genre. Joe executive produced much of Travel's most successful programming, such as "Best Places to Find Cash & Treasures" and "Bizarre Foods." Before Travel, Joe was at TLC for seven years, overseeing acquisitions and Standards & Practices. He developed "On The Ropes," a Sundance award winner and the only Discovery Networks program ever nominated for a Best Documentary Feature Film Academy Award. This year, Joe has been blogging about Raising Sextuplets, a series he is EPing, at http://www.wetv.com/blogs/the-joy-of-six/

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: USA
Areas of Interest: Non-fiction for women 18-54
Not Interested In: Scripted, lifestyle programming
Best Ways to Pitch: one sheet via email
Pitch Irritations: When it is obvious that the pitchee has not done their homework about what is currently on our air
Budgets & Costs: not needed unless we ask for one after our initial editorial review
Good co-production partners: Open to all
Contact for Submissions: jdswift@wetv.com

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Jeff has been with FremantleMedia Enterprises for two years and is responsible for third party acquisitions for international distribution. In his time at FremantleMedia Enterprises, Jeff has brought in such titles as Oprah's “Big Give”, “True Beauty”, “She's Got The Look”, “DEA”, “Deadliest Warrio...
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Jeff has been with FremantleMedia Enterprises for two years and is responsible for third party acquisitions for international distribution. In his time at FremantleMedia Enterprises, Jeff has brought in such titles as Oprah's “Big Give”, “True Beauty”, “She's Got The Look”, “DEA”, “Deadliest Warrior”, “1000 Ways to Die”, “Verminators”, “Black Gold”, “America's Port”, “LA Hard Hats”, “Pitchmen: Gadgets to Glory”, “America's Toughest Jobs”, “Project Xtreme”, “Reality Bites Back”, “The Jon Dore Television Show” and the Travel Channel US catalog. FremantleMedia has also recently announced a scripted drama initiative which will include first look relationships with high profile US and Canadian producers.

Jeff holds a BA from The University of Colorado at Boulder and enjoys playing golf and poker in his free time.

Program Executive Stream
Broadcast Region: World excluding US and Canada (though program needs US or Canadian broadcaster for us to consider for International distribution)
Areas of Interest: Factual, Scripted Drama, Reality, Game, Event Mini-Series
Not Interested In: Sitcoms, TV Movies
Best Ways to Pitch: Full proposal w/ reel (if possible)
Pitch Irritations: not being truthful about domestic broadcaster interest
Good co-production partners: Top flight US and Canadian broadcast and cable networks.
Contact for Submissions: Rebecca.silva@fremantlemedia.com

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Kent Takano is the Vice President of Programming for FINE LIVING NETWORK, overseeing the department’s original content development for on-air and online, programming budget, as well as cross-platform strategies with the interactive group for the network’s 55 million digital audience. In 2004, Takano...
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Kent Takano is the Vice President of Programming for FINE LIVING NETWORK, overseeing the department’s original content development for on-air and online, programming budget, as well as cross-platform strategies with the interactive group for the network’s 55 million digital audience. In 2004, Takano was Director of Original Programming for Scripps Networks’ broadband and VOD content initiatives. From 2001 to 2004, Takano was Director of Programming for HGTV. His responsibilities included the development and supervision of series and specials for the prime-time lineup. Prior to Scripps Networks, Takano was an independent producer, and he’s produced series and/or specials for, but not limited to, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, C/NET, HGTV, ABC’s "The View", "ET," and Fox Broadcasting. He also served as a consultant at the NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates in the San Francisco market.

Takano graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: U.S. and other territories
Areas of Interest: Relationships, Cocktails, Travel, Weight Loss – mostly half-hours. Originals and licenses.
Not Interested In: Food or Design, unless available for license only.
Best Ways to Pitch: Log lines or one-sheet. Anything more than Log lines requires a Submission Release Form, unless you are rep’d by an agency we’re familiar with.
Pitch Irritations: Really? Hmm. #1 has to be repeated pitches of the same or similar idea after being turned down.
Budgets & Costs: TBD. Proposal does NOT have to include budget. Usually too much goes into a treatment after it’s submitted to be accurate.
Good co-production partners: Too many to list! Really, anyone who can show a good track record.
Contact for Submissions: Michelle Randall mrandall@fineliving.com

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Alexander has been working with NDR TV more than 25 years. Being affiliated to factual and documentaries he is coordinating history programs. He is a psychologist by profession, his current field is history. Alexander’s entry, "Henry Kissinger - Secrets of a Superpower" has been nominated for a Banf...
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Alexander has been working with NDR TV more than 25 years. Being affiliated to factual and documentaries he is coordinating history programs. He is a psychologist by profession, his current field is history. Alexander’s entry, "Henry Kissinger - Secrets of a Superpower" has been nominated for a Banff Rocky Award.
NDR was founded by British Military Authority after WWII as North Germany’s public broadcaster with two nationwide TV programmes and eight radio programmes. NDR is based in Hamburg with branches all over Northern Germany and 3500 employees.

Program Executive Survey

Broadcast Region: Germany, Europe via satellite

Areas of Interest: History, Current Affairs, Maritime Affairs

Not Interested In: Education, Entertainment, Sports

Best Ways to Pitch: two sheet via email
Pitch Irritations: exhausting descriptions of events, which can be found in the web as well

Budgets & Costs:
at the same time as original proposal, please
Good co-production partners:
domestic as well as international (preferably UK, US, Can, F)

Contact for Submissions: v.Sallwitz@ndr.de, A.v.Sallwitz, NDR Fernsehen, 22521 Hamburg, Germany

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Susan Werbe works on many of the network’s major projects, and is responsible for new programming and project development. Since joining the network in 1997 as the Director of Historical Programming, Ms. Werbe has played a key role in the development and supervision of many series and specials ...
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Susan Werbe works on many of the network’s major projects, and is responsible for new programming and project development. Since joining the network in 1997 as the Director of Historical Programming, Ms. Werbe has played a key role in the development and supervision of many series and specials on History. Some of her major projects include the two highest rated specials ever on History – “Life After People” and “102 Minutes That Changed America”. Other specials include the Primetime Emmy Award winning “10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America”, the Peabody Award winning “Voices of Civil Rights”, and “Exodus Decoded”, “How William Shatner Changed the World”, “The Crusades: Crescent & The Cross”, “FDR: A Presidency Revealed”, “JFK: A Presidency Revealed”, “Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked”, and “April 1865”. Recent series include “How the Earth Was Made and Battles BC”. Past series include “The Presidents”, “The States”, “American Eats”, and “History’s Mysteries”.

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Courtney White is responsible for developing and facilitating new specials and series ideas for the network. Since joining HGTV in 2005, Courtney has developed numerous successful shows including “My First Place”, the “25 Greatest Mistakes” franchise and the newly launched “Desperate to Buy”. She ...
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Courtney White is responsible for developing and facilitating new specials and series ideas for the network. Since joining HGTV in 2005, Courtney has developed numerous successful shows including “My First Place”, the “25 Greatest Mistakes” franchise and the newly launched “Desperate to Buy”. She is also charged with seeking out fresh on-air talent for the brand and great production talent behind the camera.

Before HGTV, Courtney was Director of Development and Senior Producer at Working Dog Productions. Courtney also has a decade of experience as a producer and writer and her production credits include celebrated HBO projects and series for National Geographic, A&E, Court TV, The History Channel and PBS.

Courtney holds a BFA in film and television from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Program Executive Survey
Areas of Interest: Lifestyle programming including design, real estate, remodeling, entertaining.
Not Interested In: Food related programming, concepts that do not relate to the home. Any concepts that feel “gimmicky” and lack authenticity.
Best Ways to Pitch: First step is to email me at cwhite@hgtv.com or Lindsey Weidhorn at lweidhorn@hgtv.com to request a submission release. A one page proposal is preferred. If concept is talent related a talent reel is welcomed.
Pitch Irritations: Pitches that do not have a distinct hook. Pitches that don’t relate to the HGTV brand. We welcome producers coming to us with fresh, original approaches to a wide range of topics that relate to the home.
Budgets & Costs: Vary widely from project to project. We’re happy to discuss on a one-on-one bases.
Good co-production partners: HGTV Canada. Also open to numerous other co-production partners.
Contact for Submissions: Courtney White – cwhite@hgtv.com
Lindsey Weidhorn- lweidhorn@hgtv.com

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Gavin Wise is Vice-President and Senior Counsel, West Coast Programming, Home Box Office, Inc.

Prior to joining HBO in 2006, Gavin practiced entertainment law with the Century City office of Loeb & Loeb where he represented directors, writers, talent, producers and rights holders in b...
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Gavin Wise is Vice-President and Senior Counsel, West Coast Programming, Home Box Office, Inc.

Prior to joining HBO in 2006, Gavin practiced entertainment law with the Century City office of Loeb & Loeb where he represented directors, writers, talent, producers and rights holders in both the scripted and reality television areas and in features both at the studio and independent level. He also counseled studios as well as independent production companies and distributors. Prior to moving to Los Angeles in 1999 to work at Loeb & Loeb, Gavin practiced entertainment law with Blake, Cassels and Graydon in Toronto where, among other interests, he represented U.S. studios in connection with their activities in Canada.

Gavin was Manager, Development, Financing and Production, Independent Production at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation from 1995 to 1996.

He is a member of both the State Bar of California and The Law Society of Upper Canada.

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Liz Wise plays a key role in the overall creative process from identifying quality material, to the development of the script, through the casting and director selection process, to production, post-production and editing, as well as liaising with marketing and public relations across all platforms....
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Liz Wise plays a key role in the overall creative process from identifying quality material, to the development of the script, through the casting and director selection process, to production, post-production and editing, as well as liaising with marketing and public relations across all platforms. The many successful Lifetime Original Movies she’s been involved with include the ratings hits “To Be Fat Like Me”, and the Television Academy honored “Girl Positive”, the Humanitas nominated “A Life Interrupted: The Debbie Smith Story” and the Nora Roberts collections of 2007 and 2009. Liz Wise rose through the trenches of physical production in Calgary and Toronto, working on such projects as CBS’s “Due South”. She joined Lifetime in 2004 from The Alpern Group, a literary agency in Los Angeles where she had established a reputation for finding and championing fresh, unique voices, and developing unusual projects for series and reality television.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: USA
Areas of Interest: Television movies and miniseries. True stories valuable.
Not Interested In: Series or reality
Best Ways to Pitch: Logline and developed story (beginning, middle, end), length not important. Any background material and life rights if true story.
Pitch Irritations: Know Lifetime’s demographic. Audience is predominately women.
Budgets & Costs: Must be produceable on basic cable budgets.
Good co-production partners: (domestic / international) Flexible
Contact for Submissions: Solicited projects only: via telephone or email.

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In 1997 Leonard Yanovsky with his partners founded ICI and he became the president and CEO of Intra Communications Inc. (ICI). ICI is a diversified media company involved in different activities as a major distributor of television content in the CIS countries, a leading producer of television prim...
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In 1997 Leonard Yanovsky with his partners founded ICI and he became the president and CEO of Intra Communications Inc. (ICI). ICI is a diversified media company involved in different activities as a major distributor of television content in the CIS countries, a leading producer of television prime time mini-series and TV movies, and an active player in Russian language internet television.

Leonard is a member of Producers Gild of Russian Federation, International Academy of Radio and Television (Russian Academy), Euro-Asian Television Academy and active member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (International Emmy) where he is participating as a Juror for International Emmy Award Competition.

Leonard Yanovsky was nominated as the best producer for TEFI Award (by Russian Academy of Television) in 2004. The TV movies and mini-series produced by Intra Communications, Inc. have received numerous awards at Russian and International TV and Film festivals.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Former Soviet Union, CIS, Russia, Baltic States.
Areas of Interest: Production and Distribution. TV movies, Mini-series, Documentary, Telenovelas.
Not Interested In: Reality
Best Ways to Pitch: Full proposal, on line is OK. Better face to face.
Good co-production partners:(domestic / international) International
Contact for Submissions: Leonard@intraoil.com

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Yuki Yoshida joined NHK in 1998. She began her TV career in the audience-service field, developing and coordinating audience-participation programs such as talk shows, music concerts, and children’s programs at one of NHK’s regional stations. Following a transfer to another regional station in 2002,...
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Yuki Yoshida joined NHK in 1998. She began her TV career in the audience-service field, developing and coordinating audience-participation programs such as talk shows, music concerts, and children’s programs at one of NHK’s regional stations. Following a transfer to another regional station in 2002, she was in charge of an even more diverse range of projects (for example, opinion polls and program-promotion events) designed to enhance NHK’s ability to serve the local audience. Since 2005, Yuki has been based at the NHK Broadcasting Center in Tokyo, where she organizes NHK’s participation in content markets and festivals around the world.

Program Executive Survey
Broadcast Region: Japan
Areas of Interest: Documentary (Poverty, Food System, Beatles, Women Around 40, Slow Life). High End/Award Winning Culture, History, Science Doc and Docudrama. Looking for unique and innovative methodology.
Not Interested In: Natural History, Wildlife, Animal
Best Ways to Pitch: email
Good co-production partners: NFB, France 5, Science Ch and other EBU broadcasters.

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Jeff Young, CA, was CFO for two major construction companies prior to joining Starz Animation Toronto. Jeff is considered a forerunner in the use of technology in the accounting and administration functions. His combination of finance, tax and job costing skills will ensure clients receive timely an...
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Jeff Young, CA, was CFO for two major construction companies prior to joining Starz Animation Toronto. Jeff is considered a forerunner in the use of technology in the accounting and administration functions. His combination of finance, tax and job costing skills will ensure clients receive timely and accurate information and assistance

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Tom Zappala is responsible for all off-network, first-run and feature acquisitions, international and domestic co-productions and oversees the strategic planning and scheduling of ABC Family and for the cable network SOAPnet. He has overseen the acquisition of key event features including such hit m...
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Tom Zappala is responsible for all off-network, first-run and feature acquisitions, international and domestic co-productions and oversees the strategic planning and scheduling of ABC Family and for the cable network SOAPnet. He has overseen the acquisition of key event features including such hit movies as “Another Cinderella Story”, and “Picture This!” with Ashley Tisdale, as well as the co-productions of “Bring it On” and “Cutting Edge” movie franchises, the original animated special “A Miser Brothers’ Christmas,” and the series “Falcon Beach,” produced in conjunction with Global TV network. He has also negotiated important off-net acquisitions, including “Gilmore Girls,” "My Wife and Kids," "That 70’s Show," and blockbuster theatricals, including the “Harry Potter” and “The Chronicles of Narnia” series of films. Previously, Zappala was SVP, programming, Viacom where he was responsible for overseeing all programming and research operations. In addition, Zappala negotiated Viacom's off-network, first-run and feature acquisitions including "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation", "Friends", "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Dr. Phil" as well as terms for the broadcast windows for "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring".

Program Executive Survey
Areas of Interest: Drama, Family, Comedy, Features, Christmas Programming
Not Interested In: Adult, Sports, Horror
Best Ways to Pitch: E-mail
Pitch Irritations: Not taking “no” for an answer.
Budgets & Costs: Depends on the production.
Contact for Submissions: Megan Slaughter – Senior Manager, Acquisitions, ABC Family. Megan.C.Slaughter@disney.com

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José Zimmerman is a Brazilian producer of feature films and documentaries since 1975. In the last five years he was the Ombudsman to the Brazilian regulatory state agency for movies and audiovisual, and since the beginning of 2008 he is the International Relations Manager to the new public network T...
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José Zimmerman is a Brazilian producer of feature films and documentaries since 1975. In the last five years he was the Ombudsman to the Brazilian regulatory state agency for movies and audiovisual, and since the beginning of 2008 he is the International Relations Manager to the new public network TV Brasil.

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2009 PARTNERS

2009 KIDS & ANIMATION PARTNERS