Shaftesbury to Launch U.S. Division

TORONTO: Canada’s Shaftesbury is setting up a new division, Shaftesbury U.S., with headquarters in Los Angeles, to focus on development for the U.S. market.

Tom Mazza, former president of Columbia TriStar Network Television, and senior development executive Maggie Murphy will jointly oversee the division as co-heads. Mazza and Murphy will report to Christina Jennings, the chairman and CEO of Shaftesbury. Both execs will be based at Shaftesbury’s new U.S. office in Los Angeles as of September 1, 2011.

“Establishing a local presence in the U.S. is the next important step in the growth of our company,” said Jennings. “Tom and Maggie are exceptional executives who have extensive roots in the U.S. creative community and strong relationships with American broadcasters that will allow us to expand our opportunities in the market.”

“There is great opportunity for joint development in production between Canada and the United States, and we are thrilled to be joining such a prolific and dynamic Canadian production company, building on their incredibly successful business,” added Mazza.