John D. Maatta, has been named coo of The WB Television Network. In addition to being the network's general counsel, the network's business and operations departments will report to him, including Business Affairs, Finance, Network Distribution, The WB 100+ Station Group, Technology, Legal, Research, Network Operations, Broadcast Standards and Human Resources.
Maatta previously was evp and general counsel of the Network with Legal and Human Resources reporting to him.
John has distinguished himself with his sound judgment and great leadership skills, said Garth Ancier, chairman of The WB, to whom Maatta will report. He will be a key architect in helping us continue as innovators as we chart our course to higher profitability. said Garth Ancier. He always takes a big picture view to everything he does while bringing a great deal of wisdom, knowledge and patience to all matters he deals with; qualities that make him the perfect choice to work side by side with me in running the business and operational areas of the network.
The extraordinary thing about The WB, and by extension about Warner Bros., is the integrity, intellectual horsepower and creativity of the executive ranks, said Maatta. The chance to work more closely with Garth Ancier, David Janollari (The WB's president of Entertainment) and Bruce Rosenblum (president of the Warner Bros. Television Group) represents a unique opportunity at a very unique company. Additionally, I look forward to working day-to-day with the roster of hugely talented executives running the business and operational departments of our companyKen Werner (Distribution), Mitchell H. Nedick (Finance), Michael A. Ross (Business Affairs), Russell Myerson (the 100+ Group), Mary Hall (Research), Rick Mater (Broadcast Standards), Valerie Masterson (Human Resources), Harold Protter (Technology), and Jeremy Sunderland (Legal); who are an extraordinary group of senior executives.
Maatta is The WB's very first employee and has been in the Warner Bros. family since 1986 when he joined Lorimar Telepictures Corp. as legal counsel, At Lorimar, he rose to vp, Business Affairs; subsequently at Warner Bros. Television, Maatta held the positions of senior attorney and vp/senior attorney, before he moved to The WB in 1993. Prior to Lorimar, Maatta was a trial lawyer in San Francisco.
Maatta sits on the board of the Trader Vic's Restaurant Corp. and also serves on the board of Rochester Television Ventures, Llc., and has been published in respected scholarly law journals on subjects of Hollywood and entertainment.
