Hirschorn
Michael Hirschorn has ankled his job as executive VP of original programming for VH1 to set up his own company, Ish Entertainment, and has landed first-look deals for three proposed reality series with the MTV Networks.
In line with Hirschorn's departure, VH1 has promoted two executives: Jeff Olde, who becomes executive VP of original programming & production, and Ben Zurier, who gets the post of executive VP of program strategy for VH1, VH1 Classic and MHD: Music High Definition Channel.
Another VH1 exec has resigned to join Hirschorn at Ish Entertainment: Stella Stolper, who was the network's senior VP of celebrity-talent development at VH1.
Brian Graden, president of entertainment for the MTV Networks Music & Logo Group, said his deal with Ish gives the new company funding to come up with ideas for fresh programming on MTV, VH1, CMT and Logo.
Olde, who was senior VP of production & programming for VH1, has shepherded such VH1 hits as "Rock of Love," "I Love New York," "Flavor of Love" and "Breaking Bonaduce."
Zurier joined VH1 in 2001 and will manage VH1's video-on-demand programming and its digital wireless platforms. He helped to create the prototype of reality series such as "America's Top Model" and bought movies for VH1 including "Woodstock" and "8 Mile" and documentaries such as "Seven Ages of Rock."
Another executive who has signed on with Ish, Chris Choun, gets the title head of production. Choun was co-executive producer of MTV's 2007 "Video Music Awards" and, from 2001 to 2005, VP of production management for VH1.
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