BRIAN BANKS NAMED SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMEDY DEVELOPMENT, PARAMOUNT NETWORK TELEVISION

Brian Banks has been named Senior Vice President, Comedy Development, Paramount Network Television, it was announced by David Stapf, President, Paramount Network Television.

Banks, who will report to Maria Crenna, Executive Vice President, Paramount Network Television, will oversee all aspects of comedy series development for Paramount.

Banks joins Paramount from CBS Productions (CBSP), where he played an integral role building the Network's in-house unit into one of the top suppliers of network programming.

As Vice President, Comedy Series at CBSP, he oversaw both current programming and development, working on some of CBS's most successful comedies, including "The King of Queens," "Yes, Dear," "Still Standing" and UPN's "Half and Half." For the upcoming season, Banks was part of the development team for the new CBS comedies "Listen Up" and "Center of the Universe."

"At CBS, the current department worked very closely with CBS Productions," said Stapf. "I've seen first-hand how good an executive Brian Banks is. He is creative, collaborative and has a great eye for what makes successful television. His talent, track record and relationships in the community will be important assets as we strive to build this studio into a programming powerhouse."

"I feel privileged to have worked with Brian for the past eight years," said Crenna. "He is a gifted executive, an exceptional human being and a trusted friend. His sense of humor, integrity and respect for the creative process create a collaborative environment that enables everyone involved to realize their vision."

Banks replaces Rose Catherine Pinkney, who most recently held the position of Senior Vice President, Comedy Development. "Rose Catherine has been an important part of Parmount's success for many years," said Stapf. "Everyone here joins me in expressing appreciation for her accomplishments and contributions to the studio. We wish her many future successes."

Banks joined CBS Productions in August 1997. He was promoted to Manager, Creative Affairs in July 1998 and was then named Director, Comedy Series in 1999 before becoming Vice President, Comedy Series in December 2002.

From 1994-97, Banks worked at Warner Bros. Television, ultimately serving in the comedy development department as assistant to Crenna, who was Senior Vice President, Comedy Development at Warner Bros.

He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara (B.A., English).