Press Release from Cookie Jar Entertainment
Burbank, CA (April 29, 2009) -- Longtime TV executive Tom Mazza has joined Cookie Jar Entertainment as EVP and Head of Worldwide TV. Mazza will run Cookie Jar's new primetime label, THE JAR. He will also manage the company's development and production departments as well as sales and distribution, program acquisition and international co-productions.
"We are thrilled to bring Tom in to oversee Cookie Jar's worldwide television department and to help develop THE JAR," said Toper Taylor, President and COO, Cookie Jar Entertainment. "He has been the catalyst behind some of the most successful shows in television history and is the ideal person to head up the department."
"I am excited to be joining Cooke Jar as they launch this new initiative into primetime and syndicated programming," said Mazza. "The content marketplace is a creative and financial challenge, and THE JAR will offer networks and stations unique financing opportunities while maintaining a strong commitment to the creative process."
Mazza previously served as President of Columbia TriStar Network Television where he directed all operations for the network television division. CTTV was a full service television supplier to all six-broadcast networks, producing primetime series and movies of the week including DAWSON'S CREEK (WB), KING OF QUEENS (CBS), FAMILY LAW (CBS), THE GUARDIAN (CBS), and THE TICK (FOX).
A 12-year veteran of Paramount Network Television, Mazza was responsible for all primetime television development as well as Paramount's roster of writers and on-air talent. He was in charge of some of the most successful franchises in Paramount's history: CHEERS, FRASIER, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE and STAR TREK: VOYAGER.
In 2003, Mazza co-founded MRE, a Los Angeles-based entertainment company created to serve the branded entertainment needs of the broadcast television and advertising industries. The company executive produced NBC's Treasure Hunters, and has integrated Proctor & Gamble, Levi's, Pfizer, Mars, Wal-Mart, and Motorola into numerous television properties including TREASURE HUNTERS, THE APPRENTICE, AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, BERNIE MAC, and THE OFFICE.
Under Cookie Jar's newly-created primetime label, THE JAR, the company is developing a wide range of shows to satisfy the primetime needs of networks. Currently, Cookie Jar has more than a dozen scripted series by some of the industry's top writers such as Steven de Souza (DIE HARD, 48 HOURS), Alan Zweibel (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, IT'S GARRY SHANDLING'S SHOW), Tony Blake and Paul Jackson (CHARMED) and Steven L. Sears (XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS).
About Cookie Jar GroupThe Cookie Jar Group is a Canada-based global children's entertainment, consumer products and education company dedicated to excellence. Through Cookie Jar Entertainment, the company is a leader in the creation, production, marketing and licensing of evergreen character brands that appeal to kids and families worldwide. Cookie Jar Entertainment's library of nearly 6,000 half-hour episodes features some of the world's most recognizable brands, including STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, CAILLOU, INSPECTOR GADGET, THE DOODLEBOPS, ARTHUR and JOHNNY TEST. The company owns non-character based brands for licensing such as Mommy & Me. Through its pan-European subsidiary, the full-service licensing agency Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, Cookie Jar represents numerous third-party iconic brands. Cookie Jar Group also has a one-third interest in international children's television channel Kidsco. Cookie Jar Education, based in Greensboro, North Carolina, is one of North America's largest providers of supplemental education materials, reaching nearly 2,000 teachers across the United States, through the Carson-Dellosa and HighReach Learning brands.
