Viacom beefs up development team
Gordon, Conklin, Sanagustin promoted, Kassover hired
Steve Gordon has been promoted to exec VP. He most recently served as senior VP and was instrumental in developing ABC's "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and the "Sabrina" movies for the "Wonderful World of Disney."
Gordon, who has been with the company for 15 years, is producing the Hugh Wilson/Tim Reid pilot "The Contender" for UPN and the hourlong NBC pilot "Ed."
Michele Conklin has been upped to senior VP. She is responsible for one-hour and longform development. Conklin joined Viacom in 1995 and was previously VP. She is guiding the development of UPN midseason series "The Beat"; Showtime's "The Warden," starring James Caan; and VH1's "Two of Us," with Aidan Quinn and Jared Harris.
Chris Sanagustin has been promoted to exec director. She oversees comedy and family development, and the TV series "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Linc's" for Showtime.
Sanagustin, who joined Viacom in 1995, previously served as director. Projects under her supervision include the ABC pilot "Hayley Wagner, Star," written and produced by "Sabrina" creator Nell Scovell.
Meanwhile, Kevin Kassover has been named creative exec. He will handle TV development and will develop Internet content.
Prior to joining Viacom, he worked in the drama department of CBS Prods. and at Disney/Touchstone TV.
Viacom Prods. prexy Perry Simon said, "Steve, Michele and Chris are valuable members of our creative team, and with the addition of Kevin, we are primed to continue our commitment to producing quality programming for the rapidly changing and expanding entertainment marketplace."
(Josef Adalian contributed to this report.)
