ESPN Resets Content Unit
By R. Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 6/24/2007 8:00:00 PM
Looking to strengthen its product-distribution efforts across various platforms, ESPN has restructured its content division.
The sports giant named Keith Clinkscales senior vice president of content development and enterprises to turn what was ESPN Original Entertainment into a developer of content for TV, Web and mobile services. EOE has yielded such original scripted content as Playmakers, Ruffian and the upcoming miniseries The Bronx is Burning.
Clinkscales — who will continue his oversight of the cable programmer's publishing ventures, a post he has held since 2004 — will report to ESPN executive vice president of content John Skipper.
Also receiving high-profile promotions were Rob King, who was named editor in chief of ESPN.com, and John Zehr, who was promoted to senior vice president, digital-media production.
King, ESPN's senior coordinating producer in the network's studio-production unit since 2004, will be responsible for supervision of all content and overall editorial direction for the Web site. Zehr, previously senior vice president, digital video and mobile products, will be responsible for all video programming across digital-media outlets, including ESPN's mobile-content applications.
Both executives will report to John Kosner, who, as newly named senior vice president and general manager of digital media, expands his responsibilities to all aspects of ESPN's digital-media properties, including Internet and mobile efforts.
Along with Clinkscales and Kosner, other direct reports to Skipper under the new structure include: Norby Williamson, executive vice president, production; John Wildhack, executive VP, program acquisitions and strategy; David Berson, executive VP, program planning and strategy; John Walsh, executive VP and executive editor; and Marie Donoghue, senior VP, business affairs and business development.
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