Rob Sorcher joins Cartoon Network
Executive takes chief content officer post
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Sorcher -- who helped bring buzz to AMC via critically acclaimed drama "Mad Men" and the upcoming "Breaking Bad" (not to forget "Shootout," hitting its 150th episode) -- will oversee Cartoon Network's original series, acquisitions, longform projects and special events beginning in January.
Sorcher will also handle production for the channel, and oversee the Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank. Exec will be based in Los Angeles and report to Stuart Snyder, exec VP and chief operating officer of Turner's Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media Group.
"It is precisely Rob's breadth of experience and entrepreneurial drive that made him the ideal choice to lead the charge for Cartoon Network's content strategy," Snyder said.
It's a second go-round at Cartoon Network for Sorcher, who served as exec VP at the channel earlier in his career, handling the CartoonNetwork.com website, as well as the channel's creative direction and strategy.
"Clearly it's an arena that I love," Sorcher said. "It's a comfortable fit. I get that business at a DNA level. But it's a different decade now, and there are all new business challenges facing that network. I look forward to bringing some of my experience there."
Sorcher's AMC successes also include Emmy-winning mini "Broken Trail," which earned the channel some of its best ratings ever.
"Rob Sorcher's contribution to AMC over the past five years is evident in the growth the network has experienced, as well in the slate of critically acclaimed, award-winning original programming he has helped develop," said AMC exec veep-G.M. Charlie Collier.
Having evolved the channel to this point, Sorcher (who first joined AMC in 2002) said he believed it was time to try his hand at another network.
"I'm so proud of what we've done here at AMC," he said. "We've hit all kinds of demographic records, and I'm so pleased of the programming we've put in place. To see AMC grab its first Emmys, it's been an incredible run. I love that we were the underdog, and that now we're a force in the industry."
Beyond AMC, Sorcher's resume also includes stints at USA Network as exec VP/general manager, and the Fox Family Channel, where he was exec VP of programming. He also spent time as an exec for ad agencies including Grey Advertising, Griffin Bacal/Sunbow Prods. and Benton & Bowles.
