ACADEMY AWARD-WINNER BARRY JOSSEN TAKES THE REIGNS AS HEAD OF CREATIVE FOR ABC STUDIOS

Entertainment executive and producer Barry Jossen has been named executive vice president of Creative for ABC Studios by Mark Pedowitz, president of the studio. Having run the studio's Production department on an impressive slate of programming for six years, Jossen will now oversee the day-to-day creative affairs of the Development and Current departments for drama and comedy. He will continue to report to Pedowitz and will work closely in the transition with departing Creative head Julia Franz, who announced in April her plans to leave after a successful four years in the position.

An Academy Award winner for the Outstanding Live Action Short Film "Dear Diary," Jossen's career spans the production, creative and executive ranks in television and film, including as co-executive producer of "Sex and the City," head of Television for George Lucas' Lucasfilm Ltd., overseeing Production for DreamWorks Television and with an overall development deal at Hollywood Pictures. Currently he's nominated for an Emmy for his work on the mobisodes "LOST: Missing Pieces."

"Barry's been a vital part of the studio's success, translating creative visions into some of the most successful shows in the world," said Pedowitz. "No one is better at seeing the potential on the page and working with producers to bring it to life on the screen. He's an innovative leader who's garnered the respect of the industry."

Jossen's new role gives him oversight of the creative department that has shepherded a successful four-year streak of award-winning scripted content, including last season's No. 1 new comedy, "Samantha Who?," the No. 1 scripted drama for four consecutive seasons ("Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy"), and Lifetime's highest rated series, "Army Wives." The studio's current slate of productions for the 08/09 season includes 21 scripted programs for network and cable television, and production of ABC's late night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

Prior to joining the studio in 2002, Jossen was executive consultant for Imagine Television, developing projects and supervising productions including "Felicity" and "24." His producer credits include "My So Called Life," "Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco," "Miami Rhapsody" and HBO's "Vietnam War Story." He is a member of Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, the Directors Guild of America and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

ABC Studios is a leader in the development, production and strategic distribution of entertainment content across television and emerging digital platforms. As a key content driver for the Disney-ABC Television Group, the studio has 22 productions ordered for broadcast and cable television in the 2008/09 season and an additional 10 pilots in consideration. The studio's current production slate includes "According to Jim," "Army Wives," "Brothers & Sisters," "Criminal Minds," "Desperate Housewives," "Dirty Sexy Money," "Eli Stone," "Gary Unmarried," "Ghost Whisperer," "Grey's Anatomy," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," "Kyle XY," "Legend of the Seeker," "Life on Mars," "Lost," "Private Practice," "Raising the Bar," "Reaper," "Samantha Who?," "Samurai Girl," "Scrubs" and "Ugly Betty."