Press Release from Cookie Jar Entertainment
Burbank, CA (September 22, 2009) - Seasoned development and sales executive Maggie Murphy has joined Cookie Jar Entertainment as SVP of Development. Reporting to Tom Mazza, EVP and Head of Worldwide TV, Murphy will be responsible for developing and expanding Cookie Jar's tween-targeted and primetime programming slate.
"Maggie brings to Cookie Jar over 15 years of development and production experience and has strong relationships with some of the industry's top writers," said Mazza. "Maggie will be helping Cookie Jar create an atmosphere where writers can work and develop top quality projects for the North American and worldwide markets. Her experience on both sides of the creative table will be invaluable to her efforts at Cookie Jar."
Most recently, Murphy served as president of Kiefer Sutherland's Eastside Entertainment. In addition to overseeing all development of comedy and drama for television, film and new media, she brokered deals for property acquisition with Emmy-award winning writer for THE SOPRANOS," Michael Caleo and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Lucinda Franks, among others.
As SVP of Drama Development for UPN, Murphy developed USA Network hit IN PLAIN SIGHT with Mary McCormick. She helped develop shows with SEX AND THE CITY executive producer Darren Star, BLACK HAWK DOWN director Simon West, DAWSON'S CREEK writer Kevin Williamson and Academy award-winner Diablo Cody. She also supervised the creation from inception to series for a variety of shows including VERONICA MARS.
Murphy was brought on as SVP at the inception of Regency TV. During her six-year tenure, ROSWELL, BERNIE MAC and MALCOM IN THE MIDDLE were created and developed and went on to be top-rated series.
About Cookie Jar
The 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.