Executive Vice President, Comedy Development, CBS Studios
Kate Adler was named Executive Vice President, Comedy Development, CBS Television Studios in 2013. In her position, Adler oversees the development of all comedy series for broadcast, cable, and streaming.
New CBS comedies include “Carol’s Second Act” starring Patricia Heaton and “The Unicorn” starring Walton Goggins. “The Neighborhood” starring Cedric the Entertainer and Max Greenfield and “Man With A Plan” starring Matt LeBlanc both return to CBS this Fall. Adler developed the critically acclaimed Netflix series “Dead to Me” starring Christina Applegate, going into its second season, as well as the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and the Emmy nominated Netflix series, “American Vandal.”
Prior to CBS Television Studios, Adler served as a Producer for CBS’ “Survivor Palau,” “Survivor Guatemala” and “Crime & Punishment: Real-Life Law & Order” for NBC. In 2002, she was a producer on the Oscar-winning documentary, “Twin Towers” which told the story of the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit and their heroic acts on September 11th.
From 1997 to 2000, Adler was Vice President, Creative Affairs for Worldwide Pants Incorporated, where she supervised all-new series development, oversaw the production of “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Ed,” and recruited writers for “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.” In 1994, Adler was Director, Comedy Development for Walt Disney Network Television where she developed network comedies as well as served as Current Programming Executive on “Ellen.”
Prior to Disney, Adler worked at Creative Artists Agency as an Assistant to the Head of the Television Literary Department.
Adler received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University.
JOANN ALFONO
Executive Vice President, Current Programming, Universal Television
JoAnn Alfano is Executive Vice President of Current Programming for Universal Television (UTV), a division of Universal Studio Group. In this role, she leads the team responsible for managing day-to-day operations of the studio’s current series across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Alfano reports directly to Erin Underhill, President, Universal Television.
Alfano currently oversees a dynamic slate of more than 40 shows, including Dick Wolf’s enormously successful “Law & Order,” “One Chicago” and “FBI”-branded series, Emmy® Award-winning “Hacks,” Emmy Award-nominated “Girls5eva,” “The Gilded Age” and “Schmigadoon!” as well as commercial hits “Never Have I Ever,” “The Equalizer” and “Bupkis.” She has also been instrumental in some of the studio’s most celebrated library titles, such as “Russian Doll,” “The Good Place,” “Will & Grace,” “New Amsterdam,” “Good Girls” and more.
Previously, Alfano served as Executive Vice President of Scripted Programming for NBCUniversal International Studios, where she was charged with overseeing the expansion of the global scripted business, supervising the development and production of programming across the NBCUniversal International Television portfolio of companies.
During her most recent tenure at NBCUniversal International Studios, Alfano executive produced the highly successful adaptation of the feature film “Hanna” for Amazon Studios with writer/executive producer David Farr (“Night Manager”). She also executive produced numerous series, including “You, Me and the Apocalypse” (Sky/NBC), “Deadline Gallipoli” (Foxtel), “Glitch” (Australian Broadcasting Corp./Netflix), “The Disappearance” (CTV). In addition, she also shepherded multiple projects across the studio’s production companies, including “London Spy” (BBC2/BBC America), “Motive” (CTV), “The Last Kingdom” (BBC/Netflix), “Secret City” (Foxtel) and “Tales of the City” (Netflix).
Before joining the International Studios team, Alfano was President of Television at Brillstein Entertainment Partners, where she developed and executive produced the hit ABC drama “Resurrection.” Prior to that, she was Head of Programming for Lifetime Television and Lifetime Movie Network, where she oversaw all scripted and unscripted series, movies and mini-series. While at Lifetime, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her work as executive producer on the hit reality series, “Project Runway.”
As President of Broadway Video, Alfano developed, executive produced and won an Emmy Award for NBC’s critically acclaimed comedy, “30 Rock.” She then ran both drama and comedy development at Universal Television, then named NBC Studios. She presided over such seminal series as “Will & Grace,” “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “Scrubs” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
PAUL BUCCIERI
President & Chairman, A+E Global Media
Paul Buccieri is President and Chairman of A+E Networks Group, encompassing A&E®, Lifetime®, HISTORY®, Lifetime Movies, FYI™ and VICELAND®. Other businesses in his portfolio include digital content and distribution; A+E Networks International; the company’s award-winning scripted division, A+E Studios®; unscripted division, A+E Originals™; award-winning Indie film entity, A&E Indie Films®; digital storytelling hub, 45th & Dean™; Brand Licensing and Experiences.
Buccieri became A+E Networks Group’s fourth President in the company’s 35-year history in July 2018. The company is now in over 335 million households in more than 200 territories and across a multitude of platforms.
Previously, Buccieri served as President, A+E Studios and A+E Networks Portfolio Group where he was responsible for all business aspects across A+E Networks’ entire brand portfolio; and oversaw A+E Studios.
Buccieri joined A+E Networks in 2015 as President, A&E, and HISTORY, overseeing all content creation, programming, brand development, and marketing for A&E and HISTORY and their affiliated brands. Some of A+E Networks’ hit shows Buccieri has overseen include HISTORY’s Vikings, Curse of Oak Island, Forged in Fire and American Pickers; and A&E’s Live PD, 60 Days In, and Emmy award-winning hits Leah Remini – Scientology and the Aftermath, and Intervention.
Buccieri is one of the leading television industry executives with extensive experience in worldwide production, distribution, syndication, and digital, both in scripted and non-scripted programming across a wide range of genres. He has a proven track record of driving forward both creative and commercial growth and implementing innovative business models.
Prior to A+E Networks, Buccieri served as Chairman, ITV Studios U.S. Group & ITV Studios Global Entertainment for the UK media company ITV, where he was responsible for building one of the largest independent content producers in the United States. He also led ITV’s international television distribution and consumer products business.
The ITV Studios U.S. Group is comprised of ITV Studios’ successful flagship U.S. production company, ITV Studios America, and the acquired businesses of Gurney Productions (Duck Dynasty), High Noon Entertainment (Cake Boss), Thinkfactory Media (Hatfields & McCoys), DiGa Vision (Teen Wolf) and Leftfield Entertainment, which is made up of Leftfield Pictures (Pawn Stars), Sirens Media (Real Housewives of New Jersey), Loud TV and Outpost Entertainment. The Group also includes Tomorrow Studios, which is a scripted joint venture studio between Marty Adelstein and ITV Studios.
Prior to joining ITV, Buccieri was President of Programming, Production, and Development at Fox Twentieth Television. Before that, he was an Executive Producer at Endemol, USA.
KATHRYN BUSBY
President Original Programming, STARZ
Kathryn Busby is President of Original Programming for STARZ. Based in the company’s Santa Monica office, Busby is responsible for leading the programming and development team for the global premium streaming platform and delivering on its programming mandate committed to narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences.
Prior to joining STARZ, Busby was Executive Vice President of Sony’s TriStar Television where she developed and oversaw premium projects that featured diverse, authentic characters and that championed underrepresented voices. Some of her noteworthy projects include The After Party, starring Tiffany Haddish and Sam Richardson from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, a Malcolm X series based on the novels X: A Novel and The Awakening of Malcolm X from his daughter Ilyasah Shabazz and a series based on Kirstin Chen’s crime novel Counterfeit.
Busby previously served as Senior Vice President, Development for Sony Pictures Networks where she developed and produced numerous projects including “Absentia” – the critically acclaimed series that aired on Amazon for three seasons.
Before her role at Sony Pictures Networks, Busby served as Vice President, Original Programming for TBS where she shepherded original content. There, she partnered with Franklin Leonard, creator of “The Blacklist,” to create a joint initiative to identify diverse new writing talent for blind script deals and staffing consideration.
Busby was Senior Vice President, Production for New Line Cinema where she was an executive producer on the film Sex and the City. Prior to that, she held the role of Senior Vice President and Head of Development for The Carsey Werner Company where she oversaw the development of “Grounded for Life” and “The Tracy Morgan Show.” She also worked on “3rd Rock from The Sun” and “That 70’s Show.” She started her television career as Director, Comedy Development for Universal Television. With over 25 years of television experience, Busby is also an award-winning screenwriter, director and producer. She directed the short film Max and Josh which premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. In 2005, her debut film My Purple Fur Coat won Best Children’s Short at the Houston Black Film Festival.
She is Chair of BAFTA’s North American board that strengthens the British arts charity’s global mission to inspire, support and celebrate across film, games and television. Busby created a special BAFTA Masterclass for underprivileged students featuring industry leaders, and serves on the BAFTA Steering Group, whose initiatives resulted in the most diverse BAFTA nominations and wins in its history.
She also sits on the Board of Directors of PACE (Philanthropy and Community Engagement) and the Sony Pictures Action Council, which implements the studio’s racial equity and inclusion initiatives. In 2021, she was honored with an I Have Dream award. Busby is a graduate of Harvard University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in visual and entertainment studies.
VIVIAN CANNON
Executive Vice President, Drama Development, Universal Television
Vivian Cannon is Executive Vice President of Drama Development at Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group. In this role, she is responsible for the studio’s drama series development across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. She reports directly to Erin Underhill, President of Universal Television.
Cannon has been a driving force behind the development of many critically acclaimed drama series, including the Emmy® Award-winning “The Gilded Age,” Emmy-nominated “New Amsterdam,” and commercial hits like “Bel-Air,” “The Equalizer,” “We Were Liars,” “The Hunting Party,” “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” and “The Best Man: The Final Chapters,” which made history as Peacock’s first-ever series to crack Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming chart. Cannon’s team supports a roster of visionary producers, including Dick Wolf, Darren Star, Jenna Bans, Julie Plec, Carla Banks Waddles, Debra Martin Chase, Kevin Williamson and more.
Before joining Universal Television in 2017 as Senior Vice President of Drama Development, Cannon was a highly respected television producer, developing and producing pilots and series for leading networks such as HBO, Showtime, NBC, ABC and FX. She was an executive producer on the AMC drama “Preacher,” having developed and produced the pilot, as well as Showtime’s “The Big C,” which earned a highly coveted AFI Award.
Cannon double majored in English Literature and Drama at the University of Virginia. She is based in Los Angeles.
ALBERT CHENG
VP, Head of AI Studios, Amazon MGM Studios
Albert Cheng is Vice President, Head of AI Studios for Amazon MGM Studios. He leads the global strategy to integrate AI across the creative and production lifecycle at Amazon MGM Studios—advancing how stories are developed, produced, and experienced. He oversees a cross-disciplinary organization of creatives, technologists, and production experts focused on building tools and workflows that enhance creativity, efficiency, and scale across animated and live-action content.
Cheng joined Amazon in 2015 as Chief Operating Officer at Amazon Studios, later serving as Co-Head of Television and, most recently, as Vice President and Head of Prime Video U.S. & Global. In that capacity, he was responsible for the U.S. business P&L and revenue growth, as well as programming strategy, marketing, brand, research, licensing, and distribution. Under his leadership, Prime Video expanded its reach across subscription, ad-supported, transactional, and live offerings, while driving partnerships with major content providers to make Prime Video a premier entertainment destination worldwide.
Prior to Amazon, Cheng spent 15 years at The Walt Disney Company, where he was Executive Vice President of Digital Media and Chief Product Officer for Disney/ABC Television Group. His teams pioneered many of the industry’s firsts in digital distribution—from making TV episodes available on iTunes in 2005 and launching the first network streaming service in 2006, to debuting HD streaming, the first iPad app for a TV network, and live broadcast network streaming. These innovations earned four Primetime Emmy Awards and established Disney/ABC as a digital leader in the early era of streaming television.
Earlier in his career, Cheng held executive positions at Fox and served as a strategy consultant with The Boston Consulting Group. He has also served on the boards of BMI and Lifetime.
Cheng holds a bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
CLIFF DECATREL
Founder & CEO, Deca Media Productions
Cliff Decatrel is an Oscar, Emmy, Peabody, Pulitzer, BAFTA, and Sundance Award-winning producer, development executive, and CEO of Deca Media Productions, a Los Angeles based company dedicated to creating impactful films, television, and digital content. With more than 25+ years of experience spanning The Associated Press, Sony Pictures, Showtime Networks, and Cablevision Media Sales, Cliff has built a career at the intersection of creative storytelling and strategic business leadership.
At The Associated Press, he helped found and lead AP Productions, transforming global journalism into award-winning long-form programming, including 20 Days in Mariupol (Oscar, Pulitzer, Peabody, BAFTA, Sundance Audience Award) and Grand Knighthawk: Infiltrating the KKK (Emmy). His vision turned AP into a trusted partner for major studios and streamers, developing collaborations with Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Sony Pictures, ABC News Studios, Frontline and PBS.
Through Deca Media Productions, Cliff oversees a slate of scripted and unscripted projects that span genres including historical drama, political thriller, psychological, sci-fi, and social-impact documentaries. His work explores identity, justice, resilience, and transformation through global and culturally grounded perspectives.
A respected industry leader and mentor, Cliff has served as Co-Lead of the Television Academy’s Black Affinity Group, Co-President for the Hollywood Radio & Television Society Associates, Mentor Committee Chair for Colour Entertainment, and Advisory Board Member for NAMIC-SoCal. He is also a Board Member and Executive Producer for the Haiti International Film Festival, helping to amplify voices from the African and Haitian diaspora.
Fluent in English, French, and Haitian Creole, Cliff brings a multicultural lens to his storytelling. His guiding philosophy: use film and television to bridge divides, spark dialogue, and drive social change through the power of truth and imagination.
JAIME FELD
Co-Head, TV Talent, CAA
Jaime Feld is the Co-Head of Television Talent at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Based in the agency’s Los Angeles office, Feld leads a team of more than two dozen agents, identifying and innovating opportunities for actors in broadcast, cable, and streaming series.
Feld personally represents many of the world’s leading actors and artists, including Connie Britton, Julianna Margulies, Diane Kruger, Mary-Louise Parker, Jonathan Groff, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Demi Moore, Lily Collins, Cazzie David, Sofía Vergara, Lola Tung, and Leslie Odom Jr., among others. Feld began her career at CAA in 2002 as an Assistant to CAA Co-Chairman Kevin Huvane. She was promoted to Agent in 2010. Feld graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Business.
JOSH HORNSTOCK
Partner & Agent, Television Literary Department, United Talent Agency
Josh Hornstock is a partner and agent in the Television Literary Department at United Talent Agency where he represents television creators, showrunners, and writers. He is highly regarded for his talent in spotting outstanding creative voices in television, cultivating and advancing client careers, and assembling successful television projects.
Hornstock began his professional journey after graduating from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Business in 1998. He initially worked as a firefighter in Northern California before launching his entertainment career in 1999 as an assistant at Broder Kurland Webb Uffner where he was promoted to agent in 2001. In 2011, he joined UTA as a partner in the Television Literary Department.
CHRISTOPHER KING
Senior Vice President, Drama Development, Sony Pictures Television
Christopher King is Senior Vice President of Drama Development at Sony, where he has overseen the development of groundbreaking series like THE NIGHT AGENT, which was Netflix’s #1 original in 2023; SPIDER-NOIR, the highly anticipated Spider-Man series starring Nicolas Cage; AMERICAN HOSTAGE, the intense anthology series starring Jon Hamm for MGM +; SWAT EXILES, the latest spin-off of the hit series SWAT; and the upcoming adaptation of PlayStation’s epic hit franchise GOD OF WAR.
In addition to his leadership in TV development, Chris is a frequent mentor for the Sony Writers Program, Sony’s Business of Entertainment Program, and HRTS; and has become a pioneer of “Kando” – Sony’s philosophy of unity and creativity. Prior to his arrival at Sony in 2020, Chris was Head of Development & Production at Josh Berman’s Osprey Productions, where he sold a number of projects to broadcast, streaming and cable networks. At Osprey, Chris produced the ½ hour comedy series THE GORDITA CHRONICLES for HBO Max and unscripted series MURDER HOUSE FLIP for Roku. Before Osprey, Chris was VP of Development & Production at Desert Wolf Productions, where he was instrumental in the creation and production of Showtime’s gothic horror series PENNY DREADFUL.
GREG LIPSTONE
President & COO, Voxovation, CEO, Stockholm Syndrome
Greg Lipstone is the President & COO of Voxovation as well as the CEO of Stockholm Syndrome. Prior to this, he served as the President of Propagate, a fast-growing global content production and distribution studio.
Prior to joining Propagate, Lipstone was CEO of All3Media America. Earlier, he was a founding partner and board member at ICM Partners, a leading talent and literary agency representing clients in the fields of motion pictures, television, publishing, music, theater, branded entertainment, and digital media. Lipstone oversaw the agency’s international television and media department.
While an agent, Lipstone’s clients included All3Media America, Studio Lambert, Lime Pictures, North One, Bentley Productions, MME-Filmpool, South Pacific Pictures, Lion Television, Objective Productions, Optomen Production and Zoo Productions, Nigel Lythgoe and Nigel Lythgoe Productions, Leftfield Pictures, LMNO Productions, Original Media, Jane Street Entertainment, Hoodlum, David Young’s Hindsight Productions, Ken Mok, Conrad Green, Audrey Morrissey, Alycia Rossiter, Sam Donnelly, Rupert Thompson, Ping Pong Productions, Bodega Pictures, ZnakJones, Greenbird, Collins Avenue, Arnold Shapiro Productions, Gurney Productions, Bogner Content, and Matt Kunitz, among others.
Lipstone is credited with packaging numerous successful television series including Dancing with the Stars (ABC), The Office (NBC), Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares (FOX), Undercover Boss (CBS), Million Second Quiz (NBC), Secrets and Lies (ABC), Wilfred (F/X), Skins (MTV), Ugly Betty (ABC), I Can Do That (NBC), Beyond Scared Straight (A&E), The People’s Couch (Bravo), Top Gear (History), Chrisley Knows Best (USA), Prime Suspect (NBC), Nanny 911 (FOX), The Chase (GSN), Money From Strangers (MTV), Secret Princes (TLC), Guinness World Records Gone Wild (TruTV), Kids Say the Darndest Things (CBS), Last Comic Standing (NBC) and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (ABC).
Lipstone is the third generation of a family that has devoted over 100 years working in the entertainment business. Lipstone worked at the William Morris Agency for 21 years, initially as a trainee and subsequently rising through the ranks to head the agency’s network television department.
Lipstone is a member of the Board of Governors for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, an Associate Member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and on the board of directors for NATPE and the Hollywood Radio & Television Society (HRTS). Born and raised in L.A., he received a BA from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
PHILIPPE MAIGRET
President & Managing Director, ITV Studios America
Philippe Maigret – President, ITV Studios America – manages ITV Studios’ U.S. scripted TV studio operations and oversees the company’s U.S. joint-ventures and growth strategy across all platforms. He also serves as an advisor on ITV Studios’ worldwide scripted programming strategy, and represents ITV on the boards of Quibi, Tomorrow Studios (its JV with Marty Adelstein), Work Friends (a JV between Nick Weidenfeld and Tomorrow Studios), Bedrock Entertainment (its JV with Dan Sackheim and Tony To), and Circle of Confusion Television Studios (its JV with talent management and production company Circle of Confusion).
ITV Studios’ scripted TV production output in North America currently includes Snowpiercer (TNT in the U.S., Netflix internationally), Physical (Apple TV+), One Piece and Cowboy Bebop (Netflix) from Tomorrow Studios, 10-Year-Old Tom (HBO Max) from Work Friends and Good Witch (Hallmark Channel) from ITV Studios America, as well as a growing development slate with multiple broadcast, cable and OTT services.
A seasoned creative entrepreneur with wide-ranging expertise in launching and growing international media brands, Maigret has extensive experience in production, global distribution, digital, business strategy and development across the entertainment landscape. He has a proven track-record of driving creative and commercial growth for television programming that continues to engage audiences worldwide. With his extensive international experience, Maigret has successfully assumed leadership positions and managed diverse teams within global organizations.
Prior to joining ITV Studios America, Maigret served as CEO, Endemol Studios, where he launched and managed Endemol’s scripted television studio operations and acquisitions in North America. Under his leadership, Endemol Studios quickly established a strong position as an independent TV studio, with a scripted portfolio that included the original hit series “Hell on Wheels” (AMC), the critically‐acclaimed Drama “Kingdom” (DirecTV Audience Network) and scripted formats adapted for U.S. broadcast including “Red Widow” (ABC) and “Low Winter Sun” (AMC). Maigret joined Endemol in March 2010 as Executive Vice President, Acquisitions and delivered the acquired series “Hot in Cleveland” (TV Land) and “Leverage” (TNT).
Before he joined Endemol, Maigret was the SVP, Business Strategy & Development, International, Disney Media Networks, where he was responsible for the distribution of Disney ABC ESPN motion pictures and television programming to 200+ clients in the EMEA. Earlier in his career, he was an executive at Centropolis Entertainment, Dreamworks SKG and Canal +. His production credits include “Kingdom” (Executive Producer), “The Young Americans” (Executive Producer) and “Boiling Point” (Co‐Executive Producer). Maigret serves on the board of the Hollywood Radio & TV Society.
A graduate of Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris, Maigret currently resides in Los Angeles, California where he is actively involved in fundraising, mentoring, guest-lecturing and can frequently be found either on the tennis court, running a marathon or playing with his two dogs.
ANDREW MILLER
Agent, Television Department, CAA
Andrew Miller is a Scripted Television Agent at Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Based in Los Angeles, Miller is a key member of the senior leadership team that oversees the efforts of the Television department.
He works with many leading creators, executive producers, directors, and production companies, and his clients have included the creators and executive producers of such critically-acclaimed shows as Ozark, Kidding, Power, Dead to Me, Snowfall, Seal Team, and Perpetual Grace, among others.
A graduate of The University of Michigan, Miller began his career as a trainee at UTA and joined CAA in 2004. Miller played baseball at The University of Michigan from 1996-1998 and remains an avid baseball fan.
DJ NURRE
Executive Producer, Amplify Pictures
Nurre most recently served as Executive Producer of MasterChef and LEGO Masters. Preeviously, he served as Executive Vice President, Unscripted of Endemol Shine North America, where he oversaw all unscripted current programming, as well as pilots and presentations for the Los Angeles-based production company. He led all efforts on such series as FOX’s wildly-successful and Emmy Award-nominated LEGO Masters, MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, TBS’ revamped Wipeout, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for ABC, Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge and upcoming series Deal or No Deal Island for NBC.
Before joining Endemol Shine North America, Nurre was an award winning editor and seasoned showrunner.
RYAN O’DOWD
President, Unscripted, BBC Studios
Ryan O’Dowd serves as President of Unscripted at BBC Studios Los Angeles, where he has played a pivotal role in accelerating the studio’s U.S. unscripted business and expanding its presence across broadcast, streaming, and premium documentary formats. He oversees development and production for a slate spanning competition, game, lifestyle, and true-crime series, securing high-profile commissions with ABC, NBC, FOX, Netflix, Amazon and Peacock, and collaborating closely with top talent including Helen Mirren, Jane Lynch, Andy Cohen, Patton Oswalt and Joel McHale.
O’Dowd is the Executive Producer of the iconic, multi-Emmy-winning Dancing with the Stars, which delivered a record-breaking Season 34. Under his creative leadership, the series reached new season highs, reignited its cultural momentum, and became the first fall series in measurement history to grow its audience for five consecutive weeks following its premiere, reinforcing its position as one of television’s most enduring and beloved live entertainment brands. The show also achieved franchise-best viewer engagement and social interaction, reflecting powerful fan connection across broadcast and streaming platforms.
His slate also includes the U.S. launch of global hit The 1% Club on FOX; the returning survival series Outlast on Netflix, produced with Jason Bateman’s Aggregate Films; Celebrity Weakest Link for FOX; Ladies of London for Bravo; and NBC’s Emmy-nominated reboot of Weakest Link, which earned a Writers Guild Award and helped re-ignite international demand for the format. Additional producing credits include the breakout Netflix true-crime documentary Murder Among the Mormons, the acclaimed Netflix docuseries Wrestlers, and Breaking Bobby Bonesfor National Geographic.
Prior to BBC Studios, O’Dowd was Vice President of Development at Ryan Seacrest Productions, overseeing new series development across broadcast and cable. He began his career on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno before going on to write and produce major live television events including The Emmys, CMA Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. In addition to his entertainment work, O’Dowd has served as a political writer and consultant, crafting communications for a United States President, multiple Vice Presidents- and Vice-Presidential candidates, and senior Congressional leaders.
BRETT PAUL
President at Warner Bros. Television Group | Chief Operating Officer of Warner Bros. Discovery’s US Networks
Brett A. Paul is President of Warner Bros. Television and has served in this role since 2019.
As WBTV’s top business executive, Brett is tasked with mapping and implementing its strategic direction and has direct day-to-day operational oversight of all studio business activities.
Brett began his career at WBTV in 1995 as a Business Affairs executive and has served in multiple capacities leading to his current position, including President of the Warner Horizon Scripted Television division from May 2014 until its merger with WBTV in 2020.
Before joining WBTV, Brett served as both corporate counsel and business affairs executive at All American Communications, and in private legal practice at both Hill Wynne Troop & Meisinger in Southern California and at Cahill, Gordon & Reindel in New York. He has proudly served on the Board of Directors of the Forum on Law, Culture & Society (www.folcs.org) since 2008 and on the Board of UCLA Health since 2019.
TINA PERRY
President, OWN
Named president of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in 2019, Tina Perry oversees all operations and creative areas of the network, reporting to OWN Chairman and CEO Oprah Winfrey. Her leadership is a driving force behind the network’s ongoing evolution to become the leading destination for African American viewers.
She also oversees OWN’s robust digital division including the Watch OWN app, the network’s award-winning website Oprah.com, and its growing podcast business.
Perry was instrumental in OWN’s successful launch into scripted programming with popular drama series Queen Sugar, Cherish the Day, Greenleaf, The Haves and the Have Nots, the Peabody Award-winning David Makes Man, and the upcoming Delilah. She oversees the continuing success of the network’s lineup of unscripted hits that includes Iyanla: Fix My Life, Love & Marriage: Huntsville, Black Women OWN the Conversation, Family or Fiancé, Black Love, Put A Ring On It, and Ready to Love in addition to the Daytime Emmy-award winning Super Soul Sunday. Perry has spearheaded the development of OWN’s first food programming block of cooking shows including Tregaye’s Way and Lovely Bites, as well as the first holiday movies on OWN. She has also shepherded the creation of special OWN spotlight programming that tackles important issues affecting Black women today. Oprah’s two-night town hall on racism in America simulcast across all of Discovery’s networks and platforms reaching over 25 million viewers worldwide.
Perry serves on the OWN Board of Directors, The Paley Center for Media’s Los Angeles Board of Governors, The Television Academy Foundation’s Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors of The Friends of the Saban Community Clinic.
Perry was named to Ebony magazine’s Power 100 list, was honored at the Multichannel News Wonder Woman Awards in 2020, as one of the Cablefax 2020 Most Powerful Women “Wavemakers,” and received the Women in Cable Telecommunication’s LEA Award in 2019.
ROSE CATHERINE PINKNEY
Media Executive, Producer, & Consultant
Rose Catherine Pinkney is a versatile, senior level creative executive who has been both a buyer and a seller having worked for networks, studios, and production companies. She has expertise in television scripted and unscripted content, as well as movies.
Most recently, Rose Catherine served as Senior Vice President, Scripted Programming and Development for BET/BET+.As head of scripted for the Original Programming department, she was charged with developing series and movies for the network and its sister streamer BET+.She oversaw the critically acclaimed comedic drama, Average Joe which garnered the network’s first national reviews, as well as the Ms. Pat Show which received the network’s first primetime Emmy nominations.During her tenure she developed and/or covered a multitude of projects including Lil Kev, First Wives Club, Family Business, Boomerang, Kingdom Business, Real Husbands of Hollywood, Being Mary Jane series and the finale movie and The New Edition Story miniseries. Rose Catherine also managed co-productions with domestic and international partners including The Porter and Long Slow Exhale.
Before BET, Rose Catherine consulted for ABC Network’s Current Department where she covered shows including returning hits The Goldbergs and Fresh Off the Boat as well as several freshmen shows.
Rose Catherine also served as the EVP, Programming & Production at then nascent TV One. As such, she was charged with formulating the programming philosophy, defining the network’s brand and making all programming decisions. Rose Catherine greenlit TV One’s enduring signature series, Unsung, leading the network to nab its first NAACP Image Awards. She developed many of the network’s firsts- including talk shows, stand-up comedy competitions and docuseries.
Prior to TV One, Rose Catherine served as SVP and Head of Comedy Development at Paramount Network Television where she managed an A-list roster of overall deals. Stints as a development executive at TV Land where she worked on series including the critically acclaimed Younger, Laurence Fishburne’s Cinema Gypsy Productions, Uptown Entertainment where she developed New York Undercover and Twentieth Fox Television where she covered such hits as In Living Color and ran the Writer Trainee program, round out her career. Between TV jobs, Rose Catherine developed and co-produced a rom com, Def Jam’s How To Be A Player, released by Island Pictures/Polygram as well as a Hallmark movie, The Wedding Planner Mysteries.
A Princeton University graduate and UCLA Anderson School of Management, MBA, Rose Catherine is known for her creative abilities, business acumen and her leadership skills. She sits on the board of several nonprofits, mentors with several organizations and currently serves as a Lecturer at the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television where she teaches classes in the graduate Producer’s Program.
KIM ROZENFELD
President, Half Full Studios
As President of Half Full Studios, Kim Rozenfeld produces both scripted and nonfiction series. He is currently Executive Producer on the second season of critically acclaimed docuseries, Home and the Untitled Mark Ronson series which he also created. Both shows are for Apple TV+ where Kim has a first look deal. Kim is also the executive producer on a scripted, limited series starring Michelle Pfeiffer and based on the NY Times best-selling novel, “Did You Ever Have A Family.”
Formerly Head of Nonfiction Development and Current Programming for Apple TV+, Kim was responsible for managing all scripted and nonfiction series, as well as all Oprah content spanning across the streaming service. Hired as employee number 4, Kim was a key conduit between the creative team in Culver City and the Strategy, Platform, Business Operations, Product, Design and Cross Media Marketing teams in Cupertino.
He joined Apple after segueing from Sony Pictures Television where he served as Executive VP of Scripted Programs for Sony Pictures Television. There he was responsible for all of the studio’s scripted comedy and drama series (including Better Call Saul, Blacklist and Outlander) spanning across a dozen broadcast, cable and digital networks.
Kim re-entered the executive ranks after having completed a multi-year development deal as an Executive Producer at ABC Studios. There, he developed all genres of television and produced the drama series, Huge. Previously, he produced and directed the hit television comedy Two Guys And A Girl, produced the comedies Baby Talk and Dinosaurs as well as the Emmy Award Winning non-fiction series, American High. Additionally, he developed and Executive Produced the award-winning reality series, Bands Reunited and the controversial Breaking Bonaduce.
Previously Kim had served as the Senior VP of Current Series Programs for the ABC, having supervised over 400 hour of scripted programming annually. He’s also served as the VP of Series Development and Programming for VH1. Involved in the re-branding of the cable network, he engineered and managed the channel’s development think tank – The Launch Pad – from which came the popular comedy/reality hybrids Motormouth and Home James, both of which Kim executive produced. Additionally, he developed and executive produced such acclaimed series as Military Diaries and Rock The House among others.
Kim previously held the roles of VP – Comedy Programs for ABC, developing and supervising such shows as Dharma And Greg and Sports Night. He was also Dir. of Series Development for Columbia/TriStar Television.
BRYAN SEABURY
Executive Vice President, Head of Content Strategy and Drama Development, CBS Studios
Longtime CBS Studios development executive Bryan Seabury has been named executive vice president, head of content strategy and drama development for CBS Studios. The announcement was made today by David Stapf, president of CBS Studios, to whom Seabury will continue to report.
In addition to continuing to lead drama development, Seabury’s expanded role will include overseeing content strategy for the Studio with an emphasis on franchise building and leveraging and identifying new and existing IP for global audiences across broadcast, streaming and other emerging media. He will continue to implement strategic roadmaps for the Studio’s producer and pod deals, and now collaborate across departments and divisions to find innovative opportunities for our storytellers.
“Bryan’s visionary leadership, creative sensibilities and deep understanding of an ever-changing industry have made him one of the most highly respected executives in town,” said David Stapf, president of CBS Studios. “His innate ability to grow successful franchises and source new IP, while also shepherding the artistic integrity of a writer’s projects from the first pitch to a successful series is truly unmatched. And Bryan’s exceptional reputation within the creative community is only outdone by how beloved he is internally as a leader, peer and mentor, making him an immeasurable asset to our Studio, Company and all those who are lucky enough to work with him.”
Titles and franchises that Seabury and his team have developed and shepherded include this year’s breakout series and the #1 new drama of the season, MATLOCK, which also has a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and recently garnered Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award nominations for the series’ star, Kathy Bates. He has also helped oversee the expansion of the world’s #1 franchise, NCIS, with NCIS: ORIGINS and NCIS: TONY & ZIVA, as well as critically acclaimed series such as ELSBETH, EVIL, the STAR TREK franchise, FIRE COUNTRY and the newly announced SHERIFF COUNTRY, the upcoming HAPPY FACE for Paramount+ and dozens more.
Seabury, who first joined CBS Studios in 2006 was also SVP of drama development at the Network from 2009-2016. Prior to the Studios, Seabury served as vice president of television for Mark Johnson’s production company Gran Via, where he oversaw all aspects of series development, and was the director of development for Susanne Daniels’ production company First Move Television.
Seabury graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Vanderbilt University.
ROBIN SCHWARTZ
President, Working Bird Inc/Executive Producer
ROBIN SCHWARTZ is an award-winning television producer and studio head whose work focuses on helping singular voices excavate and execute their boldest ideas.
Robin’s career began with a hand in building NBC’s slate into Must See TV and has included turns heading up OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network and the television divisions of Regency and Big Beach, as well as a producing deal with Tomorrow Studios under her Working Bird banner. Most recently, Robin was the President of Television at FilmNation.
Robin is the executive producer of the PGA-nominated What the Constitution Means to Me, the Marielle Heller-helmed filmed special of Heidi Schreck’s Pulitzer Prize finalist hit Broadway play for Amazon. Robin is the executive producer of Central Park (Apple), Tanya Saracho’s SXSW and GLAAD award-winning series Vida (Starz), and the critically acclaimed Elizabeth Olsen series Sorry for Your Loss (Facebook Watch).
Robin’s current producing slate under her Working Bird Inc banner includes a limited series based on Joan Didion’s The White Album and Slouching towards Bethlehem starring Michelle Williams for FX with Sarah Gubbins and Heidi Schreck adapting and Griffin Dunne, John Lyons and Jay Roach attached to produce. She is also working on a romcom for Apple based on Elissa Sussman’s novel Funny You Should adapted by Rachel Alter and starring Regé-Jean Page with Tomorrow Studios, A Mighty Stranger, Carolyn Daucher and Emily Brown attached to produce.
In her off time, Robin works with Girls Inc. and sits on the board of the HRTS. Robin lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two kids.
CHRIS SELAK
President and Chief Content Officer, End of Episode
In 2018, Chris Selak joined Courtney A. Kemp’s production company, End of Episode, as President and Executive Producer. Kemp is the Emmy-nominated creator, showrunner and producer of the Starz hit series, Power.
In their exclusive multiyear deal with global content leader, Lionsgate, Selak is developing and producing a variety of new content across multiple platforms through Kemp’s End of Episode banner, which encompasses multiple projects inspired by the world of Power, led by the recently announced Power Book II: Ghost, as well as dirty cop drama Dirty Thirty in development at HBO.
Before joining End of Episode, Ms. Selak was Executive Vice President and Head of Worldwide Scripted Television for Lionsgate, where she oversaw creative development and programming for all Lionsgate scripted television projects. In her tenure, she built on Lionsgate’s legacy series like Mad Men (AMC), Nurse Jackie (Showtime) and Weeds (Showtime) with ground-breaking shows like Orange is the New Black (Netflix), Nashville (CMT/Hulu), The Royals (E!), Step Up: High Water (YouTube Red), Dear White People (Netflix), and The Rook (Starz). She continued to expand scripted programming with upcoming shows like The Continental based on the John Wick feature franchise (Starz), Kingkiller Chronicle (Showtime), and Jerusalem (Starz).
Ms. Selak also spearheaded the Lionsgate Television Group’s collaboration with the Lionsgate UK television business, led by UK CEO Zygi Kamasa and UK Television Creative Director Steve November.
Prior to joining Lionsgate in 2011, Ms. Selak served as SVP at John Wells Productions, where she worked on shows including ER, The West Wing, Shameless, and Southland. Prior to that, Ms. Selak was VP at Mandalay Television, a Peter Guber Company, serving as a producer on the Showtime series Rude Awakening. She also oversaw the development and production of the ABC series Cupid and The WB’s Young Americans.
Head of Business Affairs, Disney Entertainment Television
Joshua Sussman serves as Head of Business Affairs, Disney Entertainment Television, where he is responsible for dealmaking and oversight of the entire business affairs organization made up of over 160 team members across Disney Television Studios (20th Television and 20th TV Animation), ABC, Hulu, FX/FXP, Disney Branded Television and TV Animation, National Geographic, Onyx Collective and Searchlight Television, as well as the Contracts & Casting Administration group.
Sussman oversees the negotiations of deals that support the output of over 100 domestic comedy, drama, animated, limited and unscripted series, maintaining one of the highest-profile rosters in the industry.The deep bench of talent within first-look, talent and overall deals supported The Walt Disney Company’s path to 137 Emmy® Award nominations in 2025, including 16 Outstanding Program nominations spanning “Abbott Elementary,” “The Bear,” “Bob’s Burgers,” “Dying for Sex,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “Paradise,” “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” “The Simpsons,” “Tucci in Italy,” “Welcome to Wrexham,” “What We Do in the Shadows” and more.
Prior to his current role, Sussman served as EVP, Business Affairs and Operations for ABC Signature, 20th Television Animation and Searchlight Television.Previously, he was SVP of Business Affairs at 20th Century Fox Television.Before joining 20th Television, he served as EVP of Business Affairs and General Counsel at Electus, where he oversaw business & legal affairs for their scripted, unscripted, international, content marketing and digital businesses.An earlier role found Sussman serving as VP and General Counsel of Programming at IAC/InterActiveCorp, overseeing business & legal affairs for IAC’s programming businesses — including television production company Notional, CollegeHumor Media and The Daily Beast, among others.He started his career as a corporate associate in the New York office of the global law firm, Paul Hastings.
Sussman is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Fordham University School of Law.
ODETTA WATKINS
Head of Drama Series,
Amazon MGM Studios
The Head of Drama Series for Amazon MGM Studios, Odetta Watkins is a veteran of the Television Industry. In her role at Amazon, she currently oversees shows such as Reacher, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Jack Ryan, and With Love, to name a few.
Through jobs at Fox and CBS Productions, Odetta decided to pursue an executive track. She landed at TNT Network, where she was promoted into the executive ranks, working as both a Development and Current Programs executive. Her stint at TNT led to an opportunity at Warner Bros TV in Current Programs, where she made her way up the ranks, to eventually becoming an Executive Vice President and Co-Head of Current Programs.
Originally from San Francisco, Odetta is a graduate of Howard University with a B.A. in Journalism. Although she initially intended to pursue a career in TV news, her love of primetime TV shows inspired her to follow her passion for creative television.
In addition to her love of all things TV, Odetta is also passionate about striving for equity, inclusion, and representation in front of the camera and behind the scenes in Hollywood. As the immediate past President of HRTS (Hollywood Radio and Television Society), she worked with other industry leaders in the Hollywood community to provide a pathway for access and inclusion. Odetta is also an active member of the Television Academy and Colour TV.