Exec Shuffle
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BMI has tapped two for the position of VP. Barbara Cane has been named VP and general manager, writer/publisher relations in Los Angeles, and Doreen Ringer Ross has been tapped VP, film/TV relations.
In her new post, Cane will direct all writer/publisher activities in BMI's L.A. office as well as oversee the general operations of the office. She has been with the company for more than 20 years, and previously served as assistant VP, writer/publisher relations.
Ross will continue to oversee all activities pertaining to BMI's composers, songwriters and music publishers in the film and TV areas as well as the employees of the film/TV department in Los Angeles. She joined BMI in 1985 after positions at A&M, ABC and MCA Records, and stints as an indie TV producer. She was previously assistant VP, film/TV relations for the company.
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Fox Family Channels has upped Tracy Lawrence to the newly created position of senior VP and general manager. In her new post, Lawrence will be responsible for assisting prexy and CEO of Fox Family Channels and Fox Kids Network, Rich Cronin, in the development and execution of the overall business strategy for the company. She will continue to oversee boyzChannel and girlzChannel, over which she previously served as senior VP and general manager.
Prior to joining Fox Family Channels, Lawrence was VP affiliate marketing for Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite and TV Land.
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Whoopi Goldberg has appointed longtime associate Tom Leonardis prexy of Whoop Inc., where he will continue his role as development exec for Goldberg's production deal with Columbia TriStar Television Distribution. Goldberg and Leonardis are developing ideas and acquiring properties for series, longform, specials, gameshows and children's programming for all dayparts.
With Goldberg since 1995, Leonardis was previously producer on "The Suzanne Somers Show," "The Marilu Henner Show," VH1's "E-Watch" and was an associate producer at Fred/Alan, MTV's Gotham-based ad agency.
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Meredith Momoda has been tapped VP of integrated marketing and promotions for ABC Television Network.
In her new post, Momoda will handle integrated marketing promotions and work closely with Dan Longest, VP of marketing promotion, to partner with advertising clients for the network.
Momoda comes to ABC from Buena Vista Television, where she was VP of promotions. Momoda joined Buena Vista in 1995 as promotions manager.
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Luigi-Theo Calabrese has been tapped senior VP, Walt Disney Records Europe, Middle East and Africa. In his new role, Calabrese will create and develop product for Europe, these territories, oversee licensees and negotiate contracts, design and implement strategic synergy opportunities as well as marketing strategies for the regions. Prior to joining Disney, Calabrese served as chairman and CEO of the label LTC/TriStar.
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Studio finance exec Phillip Fier has joined Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group as senior VP, business planning. Fier will be involved in all aspects of business planning of distribution activities for CTMPG's finance organization. Fier spent nine years in the investment banking business, where he worked in the Entertainment Finance Division of Credit Lyonnais Bank.
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Richie Jackson has been tapped head of Innovative Artists' New York office, whose current client list includes such talents as Edie Falco, Frank Langella, Kate Nelligan, and Patti Lupone. Jackson joined the agency as an assistant when the Gotham office employed only one agent.
