Television
August 3, 2000
David Auerbach To Shift Focus And Stephanie Drachkovitch Joins Telepictures Productions
(August 3, 2000 – Burbank, CA) – Telepictures Productions’ Senior Vice President David Auerbach will shift his focus from development to new media and current programming for the division, and Stephanie Drachkovitch will join the company to oversee development as a Senior Vice President, it was announced today by Jim Paratore, President, Telepictures Productions.
In addition to focusing on the current programming activities of Telepictures’ first-run series, Auerbach will work with Warner Bros. Online (www.warnerbros.com) to ensure that the Web activities of Telepictures’ current series effectively extend their brand and increase each show’s presence beyond traditional media. He is also charged with leading Telepictures’ development of original programming for Interactive TV and the Web, with the primary focus being the development of new concepts for distribution on Warner Bros. Online as well as Entertaindom (www.entertaindom.com).
In her new position, Drachkovitch will assume responsibility for all of Telepictures Productions’ West Coast development activities for network, first-run and cable television projects. She joins Telepictures from Buena Vista Productions, where she most recently served as Senior Vice President, Programming, and was involved with such series as the hit “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire,” Showtime’s “Beggars & Choosers,” the syndicated series “Your Big Break” and “The Ainsley Harriott Show,” and “Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush,” with Mark Curry, which premiered June 20 on Comedy Central. Before that, she was Executive Vice President, Programming and Production, Pearson Television North America. Prior to that, Drachkovitch served as Vice President, Programming, Group W Productions, Director of Development, Buena Vista Productions and Vice President/Partner in the independent production company 44 Blue Productions, Inc./Presidio Pictures. She began her career producing local programming at television stations in San Francisco, Philadelphia and Portland, Oregon. “David and Stephanie are both talented, experienced, creative executives,” said Paratore. “It is that kind of depth that will allow us to aggressively develop new franchises for the traditional media as well as more effectively extend the presence of our existing shows into the new media.”
Auerbach moves into his new post from Senior Vice President, Development, a title he has held for the past year. He originally joined Telepictures as Vice President, Development in 1991 to develop reality programming for the networks. Most recently, Auerbach oversaw the development of “Street Smarts,” Telepictures’ all-new game show for fall 2000. He was also instrumental in the development and launch of “Queen Latifah,” “Judge Mathis” and “Change of Heart.” During his tenure with the company, Auerbach has also overseen the development and production of Telepictures’ two Emmy-nominated mini-series, “The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “The Wild West,” as well as two highly rated specials for ABC, “People Magazine’s 20th Anniversary” and “The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Special.” Before joining Telepictures, Auerbach served in various positions at Viacom Productions, including Vice President, Drama Development and Vice President, Current Comedy Programming. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President of Alan Landsburg Productions, and, as a freelance producer, was involved with such series as “Cagney & Lacey,” “The Love Boat,” “Dynasty” and “It’s a Living.” Auerbach began his career working in development as the very first employee of Aaron Spelling Productions. # # #