Morgan Wandell, VP of programming at Digital Entertainment Network, has left his post. Though a pleasant split, the decision was due to his unhappiness over DENs move to acquire programming instead of developing original content. Recently, the entertainment destination obtained programming from ACE VENTURA director Steve Oedekerks Thumb.com. Wandell told the Daily Variety, "Theres just less for me to do now. When I came in, they were producing original shows and now they have changed their business model." The troubled toon site has moved to the new business plan as a cost cutting measure. In the works, DEN has 2 or 3 variety/talkshows that should go live when the site relaunches on May 15, 2000. Wandell, who came to DEN from Disney TV said he will take a breather before making a decision on where he will work next. The Gen-Y targeted site made big press early on by nabbing former Disney TV boss, David Neuman, as their president. However, enormous exec salaries and US$100,000 budgets for six-minute shorts, quickly pressed the dot.com to change focus and subsequently lay-off over 100 employees who were working on Webisodes that have now been cancelled.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
