Winfrey makes changes at Harpo
Rakieten, Seitler will run new division
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Harpo exec VPs Ellen Rakieten and Harriet Seitler will run the new division.
In addition, Sheri Salata has been upped to exec producer of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and Lisa Erspamer to co-exec producer. Both previously served as supervising producers.
Winfrey described the establishment of the development group at Harpo as "instrumental to our future."
"We're committed to using our show platform to help develop additional projects and talent that will extend beyond 'The Oprah Winfrey Show,' " she said.
Rakieten, who runs creative services, and Seitler, in charge of marketing and development, will remain based in Harpo's Chicago headquarters. Rakieten served as executive producer of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" for the past three seasons. Before joining Harpo in 1995, Seitler held senior exec positions in marketing at ESPN and MTV.
Harpo Films prexy Kate Forte will continue to develop and produce features and longform TV programs, including the "Oprah Winfrey Presents" telepics for ABC. Upcoming projects include the Denzel Washington-helmed "The Great Debaters" for the Weinstein Co. and a Lena Horne biopic for the Alphabet.
Harpo produces "Dr. Phil" alongside Paramount and King World and helped develop "Rachael Ray," which debuts Monday. King World and Scripps Networks produce the latter.
