OT: Kellner and Ancier Heading Up Turner Networks

Thanks to fraz for letting me know about this:

KELLNER-ANCIER III GARTH ANCIER TO JOIN JAMIE KELLNER AS EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT, PROGRAMMING FOR THE TURNER NETWORKS
All The Division Programming Heads Will Continue To Report To Mr. Kellner Who Will Utilize Mr. Ancier To Create Overall Corporate Programming Strategies

BURBANK, CA (March 20, 2001)

Garth Ancier is coming home once again to work side by side with longtime colleague Jamie Kellner in the newly created corporate position of Executive Vice-President, Programming for the Turner Networks. The surprise announcement was made today in front of more than 300 advertisers and industry press gathered for The WB networks pre-upfront program development meetings at the Stephen J. Ross theatre at the Warner Bros. studio in Burbank.

Mr. Ancier will begin work immediately with Mr. Kellner at the Turner Networks, flying to Atlanta this week. The move brings together the two executives who have shared broadcasting history in building both The WB Network into a targeted programming rich network as well as the Fox Broadcasting Company from scratch. At Fox, Mr. Kellner was the networks’ first President and Chief Operating Officer and in one of his first moves, hired a young programmer from NBC, Garth Ancier, as his first President of Entertainment for Fox Broadcasting Company.

Both collaborations have made broadcasting history and both men believe that their best work still lie in front of them.

SAID MR. KELLNER:

“Garth and I compliment each other in many ways and have shared great success together. This challenge may be the most exciting opportunity yet that we have faced. Unlike the start-up of new businesses, which we are used to, the Turner Networks already have tremendous programming assets, enormous cross-promotional power and an efficient distribution system. Our goal this time is to combine these broadcast and cable assets into the Premium Entertainment Networks Company that will be the envy of the industry.”

All programming heads of the Turner Network divisions including Susanne Daniels and Jordan Levin at The WB, Brad Siegel at Turner Entertainment Networks and Betty Cohen at Cartoon Network, will continue to report to Mr. Kellner.

“This arrangement really plays to Garth’s strengths, which is the creative process. We don’t need him to administrate here; there is plenty of infrastructure for those tasks. Garth will have a satellite view of all programming on the Turner Networks and make sure that we have a coordinated strategy that make all the networks stronger.”

SAID MR. ANCIER:

“Jamie has been a friend and a colleague with whom I have shared my greatest professional success. Once again we have the chance to be a part of making history and that is the most exciting aspect to the challenge. The WB is close to my heart and is in great shape creatively, as are the Turner Networks. My goal is to look at the big picture and work with Jamie and all the programming executives to help build the new broadcasting and cable programming model that is essential in our newly integrated world. Additionally, I have always admired and respected the work of the AOL executives and the goal of figuring out how to best deploy all of these assets for the overall good of the company, is an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.”