Showtime Names Israel To Senior VP, Original Programming Post

Showtime Networks Friday named veteran film producer Amy Israel as its new senior vice president of original programming.

Israel, who effectively replaces Danielle Gelber who left Showtime at the end of 2010 and joined Dick Wolf's Universal Media Studios-based Wolf Films this past July, will be responsible for the development and creative oversight of new Showtime original series, said network officials.

Most recently, Israel served as executive producer for the upcoming film, In Time, starring Justin Timberlake. Prior to that she was the executive vice president of production at New Regency, and she's also held executive posts at Paramount Vantage and Miramax.

Israel will report to Gary Levine, Showtime Networks' Executive Vice President of Original Programming.

"As more and more film actors, writers, directors and producers want to work at Showtime, it makes perfect sense to hire a creative exec from the feature world," said Levine in a statement. "Amy has done great work in the indie-film world and we are thrilled for her to bring her strong relationships with distinctive filmmakers to Showtime. Amy's taste, talent, charisma and experience make her a perfect complement to our existing senior creative staff."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.