ABC Studios Appoints Production Co-Heads

BURBANK, August 29: ABC
Studios executives Gary French and Paula Warner have been named the new co-heads
of production, replacing Barry Jossen who will run creative for the studio.

In their oversight of the
department, French and Warner will be responsible for production and
postproduction, respectively, on the studio’s current slate of 25 series for the
2008-2009 season. They will supervise the physical and postproduction of the
studio’s prime-time and first-run syndication series, pilots and ABC’s late
night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Both retain their titles as senior VP, but will now report to ABC Studios’
president, Mark Pedowitz.

French began his career
with ABC Studios Production in 2005 as VP and was promoted to senior VP in
2007. He previously served as VP of production at Universal Network Television
and New World Entertainment, supervising physical production and developing and
administering production policies for the studios.

A ten-year veteran of the
company, Warner started at Walt Disney Television before running postproduction
at ABC Studios. Warner’s freelance career included working with Warner Bros.,
Twentieth Century Fox, Universal and Walt Disney in production and
postproduction management for reality series, sitcoms, dramas and MOWs.

“Gary and Paula have been
a huge part in creating a first-class production operation,” Pedowitz said.
“They’ve earned the right to lead us forward, and their promotions ensure the
continuity of a creative culture that consistently delivers the highest quality
production on television.”

—By Jackie Stewart