Sheri Salata has stepped down as co-president of OWN, the network announced Wednesday.
Salata is exiting to form her own brand innovation agency, of which the OWN and the Oprah Media Group will be clients. Her co-president Erik Logan will stay on to lead the network.
“It’s time to take what has been the ride of my life to the next level in creating my own agency and doing what I love best — telling stories,” Salata said in a statement. “Oprah has been my North Star and spiritual mentor for 20 years and her faith in me and this next venture means everything. Erik and the entire OWN team are simply the best in the business and I can’t wait to see what unfolds.”
“I give my deep thanks and appreciation to Sheri not only for helping to create a strong platform of growth for OWN and our digital business, but for her tireless commitment and sacrifice producing the final years of ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show.’ It was an unparalleled time of our lives,” said CEO Oprah Winfrey. “I am excited about what we are doing at OWN and look forward to continuing our growth with Erik and the dedicated team as we take our company to the next level.”
“My partnership and friendship with Sheri has been one of the most rewarding in my career,” added Logan. “I am grateful for everything she has put into our success. She has our entire support as she follows her new dream.”
Salata has been serving as co-president of OWN since 2011, she first teamed with Winfrey as promotions producer at Harpo Studios in 1995. She also served as executive producer of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” from 2006 through its finale in 2011.