Tom Mazza Joins Cookie Jar

BURBANK: As the new executive VP and head of worldwide TV for Cookie Jar Entertainment, industry veteran Tom Mazza will lead the group’s new prime-time label, THE JAR.

Under THE JAR, the company is developing a wide range of shows aimed at prime-time slots. Mazza will run the new label, and will also manage the company’s development and production departments as well as sales and distribution, program acquisition and international co-productions.

Mazza previously served as president of Columbia TriStar Network Television, where he directed all operations for the network television division. At Paramount Network Television, where he was for 12 years, Mazza was responsible for all prime-time television development as well as Paramount’s roster of writers and on-air talent. He was in charge of some of the most successful franchises in the company’s history, including Cheers, Frasier, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager.

“We are thrilled to bring Tom in to oversee Cookie Jar’s worldwide television department and to help develop THE JAR,” said Toper Taylor, the president and COO of Cookie Jar Entertainment. “He has been the catalyst behind some of the most successful shows in television history and is the ideal person to head up the department.”

"I am excited to be joining Cooke Jar as they launch this new initiative into primetime and syndicated programming," commented Mazza. "The content marketplace is a creative and financial challenge, and THE JAR will offer networks and stations unique financing opportunities while maintaining a strong commitment to the creative process."