Telemundo Bolsters Novela Team

MIAMI: Roberto Stopello, the former director of the writing department at Telemundo, has been promoted to the VP of novela development, among other promotions at the company.

As VP of novela development, Stopello will oversee the writing staff in the rollout of the network’s upcoming 2011-2012 original prime-time programming. He will be also be responsible for identifying international production trends and recruiting renowned writers and screenwriters to join Telemundo.

Stopello was previously the director of the writing department. His 2010 adaptation of The Queen of the South (La Reina del Sur) was the most watched novela in the network’s history. Stopello has supervised story lines, written adaptations and worked as head-writer on various series.

Blanco, who previously worked with Stopello in the writing department, will oversee the content of the new productions as well as the writers and staff of the department. As literary director he oversaw the writing for various novelas, most recently, La Casa de al Lado.

“Roberto has been instrumental to the success of our primetime programming and the great success of La Reina del Sur, the most watched novela in Telemundo’s history, is a testament to that,” said Joshua Mintz, the senior executive VP at Telemundo Entertainment. “He is an incredible storyteller and a true example of the talent Telemundo is attracting as we continue to produce compelling and entertaining original programming at our studios.”