“Dream Dozen” for TLC's Primetime Programming Team
-- Network Lures Best from Cable, Studio and Independent Producers --
October 18, 2007
(Los Angeles, Ca) TLC announced today the first 12 hires for the programming department as the channel establishes itself in Los Angeles. Brant Pinvidic, SVP Programming, structured the team and made the appointments, hiring a mix of high-profile producers and strong creative executives from studios and networks to join his group.
“With TLC’s move to a new Los Angeles headquarters, we were able to attract some of the best people throughout the industry,” Pinvidic said. “Their reputations are amazing and the breadth of work they have created is diverse and very impressive. Assembling a team of this caliber was a top priority and will give us the tools we need to launch the next generation of TLC franchise series.”
The “Dream Dozen” includes:
Brent Zacky – VP, Programming, TLC
Previously VP Development at E! Entertainment Television, where he launched such hits as The Girls Next Door, Dr. 90210, Fashion Police and Chelsea Lately. Zacky also has a diverse background in new media projects, developing and launching projects including Yo on E! for satellite radio as well as internet/mobile programs Planet Gossip and E! News Now.
Tracey Lentz – Executive Director, Programming, TLC
Formerly Executive Director Original Programming at GSN
Christy Dees – Executive Director, Programming, TLC
From Asylum Entertainment, where she was VP Development
Angela Molloy – Director Programming, TLC
Previously VP of International Development at 3Ball Productions
Eric Black – Director Programming, TLC
Formerly Pie Town Production’s VP Development
Stephanie Bianco – Director Programming, TLC
Joining from Style Network, where she was Director of Current Series
Mariana Manela – Director Programming, TLC
Previously NBC Entertainment’s Director of Alternative and Specials for USA and Sci Fi
Holly Hines – Manager, Programming, TLC
Formerly Director of Development at GRB Entertainment
Chris Ceccarelli – Manager Programming, TLC
Previously Director of Programming and Development at Madison Road Entertainment
Jennifer McGovern – Manager Programming, TLC
Previously Manager at FtvS
John Hein – Coordinator Programming, TLC
Formerly Coordinator Specials & Alternative Programming/FOX Broadcasting Company
Brian Robles – Coordinator Programming, TLC
From NBC Universal, where he was assistant to VP and Director
About TLC
TLC's innovative hit series include perennial fashion favorite What Not to Wear; Little People Big World, now in its third season; Miami Ink and the hit spin-off LA Ink. The channel defined home design with Trading Spaces and continues to reinvent the genre with Property Ladder, Flip That House and Moving Up. TLC's daytime lineup includes the Emmy Award-winning A Baby Story as well as Take Home Chef, featuring one of People Magazine's Sexiest Men, Curtis Stone. In January, the channel launches the historic Miss America Live special and companion reality series. The channel is available in more than 93 million homes in the US, nearly 8 million homes in Canada and through the website at www.tlc.com. TLC is part of Discovery Communications which is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman.