ABC Announces Major Shakeup in Executive Ranks

John Saade to run alternative series and late-night programming; Vicki Dummer to head current series and specials

ABC shook up its top executive ranks on Friday with several key appointments, including promoting John Saade to Executive Vice President, Alternative Series & Late- Night Programming. 

In addition, Vicki Dummer, Patrick Moran and Amy Hartwick were all promoted to the senior vice president level.

The moves are the first wave of significant appointments since Paul Lee abruptly took over as president of ABC Entertainment Group last summer, admitting at the time that he was "super unprepared." 

Lee's predecessor, Steve McPherson, resigned under a cloud of rumors about inappropriate conduct after having shepherded hits like "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" to the small screen. 

In announcing the changes, Lee said that the shakeup will "bolster the creative strength of our
studio with two of our strongest up-and-coming creative executives; empower our current department, which is the heart of the network; and position our successful reality department for even greater achievement in the future.”

Also read: ABC's Paul Lee to Curious TCA: 'I'm Super Unprepared'

To assemble his new leadership team, Lee promoted from within the company's ranks. 

Saade, former SVP, Alternative Series and Specials, ABC Entertainment, will be promoted to EVP, Alternative Series & Late-Night Programming at the network, where he will oversee all primetime alternative/reality series and late-night programming. 

Dummer, former SVP, Alternative Series and Specials, ABC Entertainment, will become SVP, Current Series & Specials at the company, and will head up  all current series and special programming. Dummer is replacing Lynn Barrie, who had been serving as the network's SVP, Current Programming but willl now return to the Comedy department.

Moran, an SVP at ABC's Drama Series division, will become SVP & Head of Creative Development. 

Lastly, Hartwick, former VP of Comedy Development has been upped to SVP at the department.

There was one subtraction — Kevin Plunkett, an SVP of Comedy Development, will leave the group, the network announced, to pursue other ventures.

Comments