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Four months after Disney's $ 71.3 billion acquisition of Fox's core assets, changes are being made to the Disney Television Studios combined television production operation.
Patrick Moran, president of ABC Studios, and Howard Davine, executive vice president of commercial operations for this studio. They will be replaced by two senior executives from 20th Century Fox TV, Jonnie Davis and Josh Sussman. 20th President of Creative Affairs for Television Davis has been appointed President of ABC Studios. 20th Senior Vice President of Television, Business Sussman was promoted to Vice President, Commercial Affairs, ABC Studios, where he will work for Davis.
Carolyn Cassidy, a veteran of the studio, will succeed Davis as current vice president of Current Series at 20th Century Fox TV. She was promoted president of creative affairs to run the studio alongside Howard Kurtzman, still president of commercial operations. Terence Carter continues to serve as 20th Vice President of TV.
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Davis, Cassidy and Kurtzman report to Craig Hunegs, president of Disney Television Studios. Bert Salke remains president of the Fox 21 television studios, and also reports to Hunegs. (You can read Hunegs' internal memo about changes, obtained by Deadline, below)
Restructuring of Disney TV studios continues trend of Fox TV executives in key Disney-Fox leadership positions that began prior to the merger with Peter Rice's appointment as Walt Disney's Chairman of the Board Television and co-chair of Disney Media Networks. and Dana Walden as president of Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment, as well as the entire management team of 20th TV / Fox 21. The rise of Davis is not surprising in that he has long been one of the most trustworthy lieutenants and a rising star from Walden to the 20th TV channel.
"Jonnie is a great leader in contagious and optimistic energy, as well as an incredible partner for our creators. With Josh, a gifted strategist in business, Jonnie is about to lead ABC Studios to an even greater level of success, "said Hunegs.
Moran, who arrived at ABC Studios after the 20th television channel, is leaving after nine years, most recently as president. With him at the helm, the studio has expanded its operations with the launch of ABC Signature's cable / streaming division and the addition of a non-scripted division. Moran, a veteran of programming, would be interested in new opportunities.
Davine is also a veteran of the industry who has just spent a long term at ABC Studios, where he is renowned for creating new business models in the evolving television industry.
"I have tremendous respect for Patrick and Howard, as well as for all that they have accomplished in their careers at ABC Studios," said Hunegs. "Patrick has developed and oversaw many historical series and has an excellent selection of new shows."
Commenting on Davine, Hunegs, who also worked in business, said, "I've known Howard for years. He is one of the most accomplished and effective business leaders in our industry. He has made several innovative deals and has a great deal. "
Since July 2015, Cassidy directs the 20th series of TV series, contributing to successful growth such as That's us, Empire, 9-1-1 and Modern family. She joined the 20th TV channel in 2009 as Vice President of the Comedy series and developed New girl, fresh off the boat and last man standing.
"Carolyn is an absolute creative star leader with extraordinary leadership skills, a deep understanding of the studio and good relationships with our creators and the entire society," Hunegs said. "We are delighted that Howard continues with him as they are a great team."
Davis joined the 20th television channel in January 2008 as Vice President Development of Comedy. He quickly became Executive Vice President of Comedy. He served as Executive Vice President, Comedy and Animation Development, before being named President of Creative Affairs, along with Howard Kurtzman, President of Business Operations. He helped develop commercial and critical successes This is us and modern and efficient family New girl, fresh off the boat, last man on earth and Last man standing. He also oversaw the studio's recent expansion into animation development, which includes the upcoming Bless the Harts, Duncanville, Solar Opposites and Central Park.
Sussman has been Vice President of Commercial Affairs at 20th TV since 2016. Prior to joining the studio, he was Senior Vice President of Commercial Affairs and Senior Counsel at Electus.
While the Disney-Fox combined film group was hit by a series of high-profile exits, layoffs and the closing of the Fox 2000 division, apart from television distribution and ad sales, Disney's merged operations -Fox TV had been spared until now. Hunigs had publicly stated that its goal was to keep the existing units of Disney TV Studios – 20th TV, Fox 21 and ABC Studios / ABC Signature – standalone.
The increase in the production of television content is the key to Disney's strategy to make its mainstream platform a competitor of Netflix. As a result, no significant layoffs were expected in the television production, but Walden was to make his mark on the leadership of ABC Studios. . She has a close personal relationship with Moran, who is part of her inner social circle.
Mark Kaner, President of 20th Century Fox Television Distribution, and Greg Meidel, President of Syndication Division Twentieth Television, retired immediately following the conclusion of the Disney-Fox deal.
A month later, there is a second round of Layoffs affecting TV ad sales executives in New York, affecting executives of the former Fox Networks Group, including Executive Vice President Michael Teicher.
Here is the Hunigs memo:
Dear colleagues,
We will be announcing the change of leadership at ABC Studios and Twentieth Century Fox Television shortly.
Jonnie Davis, who did a fantastic job at the helm of the 20th Anniversary Creative Team, immediately moves to ABC Studios as President. Josh Sussman, a talented and creative contract maker, will also move from the 20th to ABC Studios as Jonnie's Executive Vice President, Business Affairs.
At 20th Century Fox Television, we are very pleased to announce that Carolyn Cassidy has been promoted to President, Creative Affairs. She will head the studio with Howard Kurtzman, President, Commercial Operations. They are exceptional leaders.
Patrick Moran and Howard Davine will be stepping down from their current roles and I greatly respect everything they have achieved in their career at ABC Studios. Patrick has developed and supervised many historical series and has an excellent selection of new shows. I have known Howard for many years and he is one of the most accomplished and successful leaders in the business sector in our industry. He has entered into several innovative agreements and operates an excellent business. Together, they brought a formidable group of writers, producers and directors together at ABC Studios and made a lasting contribution to The Walt Disney Company.
Since the launch of Disney Television Studios just over 100 days ago, Dana and I have worked with you to make our studios a home for the most talented. Create the most fascinating and entertaining television. In our early days, DTS added new, promising shows, continued to award prizes and brought even more studios to the top creators. We thank you all for your excellent work and for creating a new spirit of collaboration.
I know that change can be difficult in the short term. Dana and I will do our best to communicate with you often, in transparency and clarity. We promise you that the coming years will be devoted to creating a quality TV, with great people, who will have a lot of fun on the way. The best is without a doubt yettocome.
Warmly
Craig
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