GSN Names Fran Shea EVP, Programming and Marketing

GSN has named tapped industry veteran Fran Shea as its executive vice president of programming and marketing for GSN TV, said network officials.

Shea will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game show-themed GSN TV's programming and marketing, including in-house production, acquisitions, development, network branding and messaging to viewers. Shea effectively replaces former GSN executive vice president of programming and development Amy Introcaso-Davis, who recently joined E!.

Shea most recently ran her own industry consultant firm, Fran Shea Consulting, which counted GSN as a client. Shea is also formerly president of E! Entertainment Television.

“Fran has an impressive track record of creating phenomenally successful and culturally relevant content, said GSN CEO Mark Feldman, to whom Shea will report. “Her creative vision and leadership will be critical to GSN as we continue to enhance our programming choices, both original and acquired, to engage our core viewers.”

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.