Nogawski heads CBS TV Distribution

Exec promoted to top of sales arm

By JOHN DEMPSEY

Nogawski

Madden

Syndie veteran John Nogawski has taken the reins of CBS TV Distribution with his promotion to solo prexy of the unit.

Nogawski, previously co-president and chief operating officer of the Eye's program sales arm, takes on many of the duties previously overseen by Roger King, the former CBS TV Distribution CEO who died in December. Robert Madden, formerly co-prexy and COO alongside Nogawski, will stay on with the new title of senior exec VP, reporting to Nogawski.

King also oversaw the Eye's international sales wing, CBS Paramount Intl. Television. Armando Nunez, prexy of that unit, "has a special relationship" with Leslie Moonves, said Nogawski. Like Nogawski, Nunez will continue to report to Moonves, prexy-chief exec of CBS Corp.

Also continuing in their present roles are Terry Wood as president of creative affairs and development and Joe DiSalvo as prexy of sales. Both will report to Nogawski, whose appointment brings an end to the leadership uncertainty within CBS' domestic sales unit since King's unexpected death 3½ months ago.

"John has a resume of success across all areas of syndication -- firstrun and off-network programming as well as both station and media sales," Moonves said.

Nogawski is taking charge of a company that distributes eight of the 10 highest-rated series in TV syndication. Among CBS TV's successful firstrun strips are "Wheel of Fortune," "Jeopardy," "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Entertainment Tonight," "Judge Judy," "Dr. Phil," "Rachael Ray," "The Insider" and "Judge Joe Brown."

Madden will focus on the syndicated shows produced by CBS programming partners Sony Pictures TV, with "Wheel" and "Jeopardy," and Harpo Prods., with "Oprah." Nogawski said he'll go out of his way to make sure there's no awkwardness as Madden engineers the transition to a lesser role with the company. "I plan to take full advantage of his close relationships with Sony and Harpo," Nogawski said.

Moonves lauded Nogawski's stewardship over the sprawling syndication company that emerged almost two years ago when King World and CBS Paramount combined their resources under the aegis of King.

Since that consolidation, Nogawski has spearheaded such revenue generators as product placement in firstrun series; digital deals with Yahoo, MSN and Procter & Gamble; and online programming derived from the Web-based talent contest "Big Shot Live" in partnership with "Entertainment Tonight."

Before King World and CBS Par came together, Nogawski was president of domestic TV for CBS Par, responsible for sales and marketing for such firstrun syndicated shows as "E.T.," "Judge Judy," "Judge Joe Brown" and "The Insider," as well as off-network series including "Frasier," "NCIS" and "Medium."

Nogawski joined Paramount Domestic TV, the forerunner of CBS TV Distribution, in 1983, rising to VP and Eastern regional manager in 1990, in charge of the New York sales office. He relocated to Los Angeles in 1992, becoming senior VP-general sales manager. Par awarded him exec VP stripes in 1994. Five years later, Paramount Domestic TV installed him as president of distribution.