Par TV shuffles exex
Goldman to top slot; syndie pair prexy'd
In his new post, Goldman will have oversight of the TV group's administrative departments, including business and legal affairs, finance, media relations and research departments. He'll also be more involved in managing the studio's half interest in UPN and in its government relations, including Par's interaction with the Federal Communications Commission.
As part of the reorganization, Par TV veterans Frank Kelly and Joel Berman have been named co-presidents of the studio's syndie wing, Paramount Domestic Television. Kelly had been president of creative affairs for the division, while Berman headed up the sales end as president of distribution for PDT.
One studio insider said the reshuffling "essentially formalizes the way we have already been doing business for some time." Par's network TV, international and pay TV units are unaffected by the management shift.
In announcing Goldman's promotion, Paramount TV Group chairman Kerry McCluggage praised the exec for his "unswerving loyalty" to the studio, crediting Goldman as being "instrumental" in the development of netlet UPN with partner Chris Craft.
"The creation of this new position is a reflection of the continued growth of the group and (Goldman's) achievements as an executive," McCluggage said.
In addition to expanded day-to-day responsibilities, Goldman also will work more closely with McCluggage and exec VP Richard Lindheim in long-term planning for the various divisions. Par TV Group division presidents will continue to report directly to McCluggage, along with Goldman.
Goldman previously held the dual titles of executive VP of Paramount TV Group and president of Paramount Domestic Television. He joined Par in 1980 as a sales manager in its Chicago sales office. He relocated to Hollywood from New York in 1985, where he moved up through senior sales and marketing positions before being upped to his dual-title post in 1996.
In their new roles as co-president of PDT, Kelly and Berman will jointly oversee all aspects of the syndie wing, including its Premier ad sales arm headed by president Marc Hirsch.
The change unifies the command structure of PDT. Kelly, overseeing development and production, had previously reported to McCluggage, but sales chief Berman had reported to Goldman. Tony Cassara, president of Par's fast-growing TV stations division, had also reported to Goldman but will now report to McClugagge.
Kelly has a long track record of developing such hits as "Hard Copy," "Leeza" and "The Montel Williams Show" since joining Par as VP of programming in 1983. He moved through several senior programming and production posts before being upped to president of creative affairs in 1995.
Berman has been PDT's president of distribution since 1994. He joined the studio in 1980 as veepee of eastern division sales, and advanced to senior VP before leaving Par for a short stint with GTG Marketing in the late 1980s. During his tenure as distribution prexy, Berman has spearheaded sales efforts for such Par syndie fare as "Frasier," "The Arsenio Hall Show," "Cheers" and "Real TV," among other shows.
