ABC Studios Names New Creative Chief

BURBANK, August 20: ABC Studios has named Barry Jossen as
its executive VP of creative, succeeding Julia Franz, who announced her
intention to step down in April.

Jossen will continue to report to Mark Pedowitz, the
president of the studio. He has spent the last six years running ABC Studios’
production department and will now assume oversight for the day-to-day creative
affairs of the development and current departments for drama and comedy. He is
an Academy Award winner for outstanding live-action short for Dear Diary, and his credits also include co-executive producer
of Sex and the City and head of
television for Lucasfilm. He is currently up for an Emmy for the mobisode
series LOST: Missing Pieces.

“Barry’s been a vital part of the studio’s success, translating
creative visions into some of the most successful shows in the world,” said
Pedowitz. “No one is better at seeing the potential on the page and working
with producers to bring it to life on the screen. He’s an innovative leader
who’s garnered the respect of the industry.”

—By Mansha Daswani