Exec Shuffle
Silvers’ expertise includes creating, adapting and implementing computer programs and systems for budget control, editorial, audio and visual post-production, and distribution.
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Nicole Choper has been upped from director, motion picture development finance, to VP, finance for the domestic television division of Paramount Television Group. In her new post, Choper will be responsible for the finance, planning and control function for the division. She will also manage financial activities with the Group’s strategic alliance partner and divisional special projects.
Choper joined Paramount in 1997, and her duties have included preparation of motion picture development cost reports for executive management, administration of Paramount’s motion picture term deals and implementation and maintenance of new development cost tracking management information systems.
Prior to Paramount, she was director of finance, operations and planning, sourcing division for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. She has also served at MCA Television.
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The Kids WB has named John Hardman to the newly created post of director of development.
Also at the weblet, Jessica Pinto has been upped to director of current series and scheduling. Both will report to Kids WB senior VP Donna Friedman.
Hardman will steer the development of all WB Kids’ content, identifying new creative talent, while continuing to foster relationships with programming teams. Most recently, he supervised TV animation series development at DreamWorks. Prior to that, he worked as director of creative affairs at Klasky-Csupo.
In her new role, Pinto will oversee the strategic planning of all WB Kids shows. She last worked as manager of Kids WB programming. Also during her three-year stint with the weblet, Pinto served as manager of broadcast standards and practices.
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ABC Network has upped Max Steelman to VP/director of news, early morning and latenight sales.
Steelman will supervise the sales staff and be responsible for the sales of shows such as "Good Morning America," "World News Tonight" and "Nightline."
Steelman, who began at ABC in 1987, was previously an account exec at ABC News Sales.
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Steve Smith has been upped to prexy of the SFX Network Group and has been named president of SFX.com.
In his new position, Smith will serve as an executive consultant to both the traditional and new-media marketing initiatives. He is also in the process of developing a more comprehensive Web site for the company.
Before his promotion, Smith was co-founder and prexy of the Album Network, a subsidiary of SFX Entertainment.
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Sony Pictures Family Entertainment has named Akiko Kumagai-Kuo director of Internet strategy and marketing.
In her new post, Kumagai-Kuo will be responsible for finalizing and implementing SPFE’s Internet strategy for the kids online market. Additionally, she will coordinate SPFE’s marketing opportunities on the Internet.
Kumagai-Kuo most recently worked in the business development and strategic planning division, and has assisted in the launches of Family Entertainment Group and the Animax Channel.
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Fox Sports Net has upped Randy Freer to exec VP from exec veep of advertising sales. Freer’s new responsibilities include overseeing all business development. He will also be working to create new Internet and digital platform business opportunities with News Digital Media.
Freer joined Fox Sports Net in 1997 after serving as senior veep, business affairs, at Active Entertainment.
