Television
February 14, 2001
The WB’s Jordan Levin Is Elevated To Co-President, Entertainment And Will Share Top Programming Job With Susanne Daniels Who Announces The New Union
(February 14, 2001 – Burbank, CA) – Jordan Levin has been promoted to Co-President, Entertainment of The WB, it was announced today by Susanne Daniels. Mr. Levin will work alongside Ms. Daniels, sharing the top entertainment position at the network. With this announcement both executives will go by the title of Co-President, Entertainment, The WB Network.
Said Ms. Daniels:
“Jordan and I have worked closely with each other for seven years at The WB and before that for three years while I was buying at Fox and he was selling at Disney. I can not think of how the experience could have been any better. Looking toward the future, it made sense to me to try to form a relationship similar to the one that Bob Daly and Terry Semel shared so successfully at Warner Bros. for over 20 years.”
Mr. Levin most recently held the title of Executive Vice President, Programming, for The WB, overseeing all aspects of the network’s primetime programming slate from development to production to scheduling. He will now share the responsibilities of running the entertainment division with Ms. Daniels.
This announcement follows on the heels of the announcement two weeks ago of the ascendancy of Jed Petrick to the newly created position of President and COO of The WB. The plan sees the co-presidents of entertainment sharing the #2 slot at the company with Mr. Petrick, who will handle many of the business aspects for the network, while Ms. Daniels and Mr. Levin will handle the creative side.
Said Mr. Kellner:
“Jordan has been here from day one and has exhibited tremendous taste and leadership skills in helping to create what is arguably the best schedule on network television. He and Susanne give us the best programmers at the top of any team in the business. Together with the recent appointment of Jed Petrick to President and Chief Operating Officer, The WB is set for many years to come with the best leadership in the top positions of any network.”
Mr. Levin has worked with Ms. Daniels in putting together a slate of programs that include “BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER,” “DAWSON’S CREEK,” “7TH HEAVEN,” “FELICITY,” “CHARMED,” “GILMORE GIRLS,” “THE STEVE HARVEY SHOW,” “THE JAMIE FOXX SHOW” and “POPSTARS.”
Mr. Levin, who was hired by Ms. Daniels in August 1994, four months before the network’s launch, first served as Head of Comedy Development and Current Programming. Since he joined the network, Mr. Levin has been involved in all key-programming decisions and in creating The WB’s sharp focus and distinctive brand.
Said Mr. Levin:
I’m grateful to Susanne for allowing me the privilege to be her partner in continuing to build what has become a dynamic new television network. It’s rare in our industry to find somebody with whom you can both grow professionally and be continually challenged by to become a better executive. I am indebted to Susanne for recognizing the strength of our partnership and look forward to collectively achieving Jamie's vision of becoming America's #1 network for 12-34 year olds.
Mr. Levin is a member of the Entertainment Task Force of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (formerly Permanent Charities Committee), The Third Decade Council of the American Film Institute, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Museum of Television and Radio’s Forum Club, and the Advisory Committee of the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. He is a frequent speaker and guest panelist for a number of prominent groups, including The Aspen Institute, the Montreal and U.S. Comedy Arts Festivals, numerous universities and writers workshops, The Writers Guild and The Directors Guild, and often serves as a judge for comedy festivals, television awards and writing competitions.
Prior to The WB, Mr. Levin most recently served as Director of Comedy Development at Walt Disney/Touchstone Television, where he developed such series as “Ellen,” “Boy Meets World” and the critically acclaimed “Bakersfield, P.D.” From 1990 to 1992, he served as Manager of Current Programs, responsible for the first season of new series including “Home Improvement.” While at the studio, Mr. Levin was one of the founders of the Walt Disney Writers Fellowship Program, which provides opportunities to underrepresented writers and encourages diversity in staffing. He began his career directly out of college as a Programming Associate.
A Dean’s List and Cum Laude graduate with special honors from the University of Texas at Austin’s Radio/Television/Film program, he majored in television and film theory and criticism with special focus on the broadcast network industry. He currently serves on the Advisory Board for the University of Texas College of Communications. # # #