Walt Disney Television Animation Gives Two SVP Stripes
Walt Disney Television Animation (WDTVA) has named Meredith Metz, svp, creative affairs, and has promoted Lisa Salamone Smith to svp, production.
"Being able to bring Meredith to WDTVA to lead our development efforts is especially meaningful," said Barry Blumberg, WDTVA president, to whom they both will report. "Her vast experience and exceptional eye for creative, innovative projects are a winning combination that will make her a valuable addition to our team."
Metz will oversee the development of new WDTVA projects to air on Disney Channel and the JETIX programming block on both ABC Family and Toon Disney, in the U.S., as well as Disney and JETIX branded platforms around the world. She will also be responsible for the division's current animated programming including the new SUPER ROBOT MONKEY TEAM HYPERFORCE GO!, which premiered earlier this month on ABC Family and Toon Disney's JETIX blocks, DISNEY'S BRANDY & MR. WHISKERS airing on Disney Channel, and DISNEYS AMERICAN DRAGON: JAKE LONG, set to premiere on Disney Channel in early 2005. Metz will work to continue the strong partnership WDTVA has with JETIX and Disney Channels worldwide.
Metz joins Disney from Klasky Csupo Enter. where she was svp of creative affairs, overseeing all aspects of development and production for both television and theatrical features for the animation studio. She has held exec positions at Gullane Ent. as vp/group head of development and at Fireworks Ent. as vp of programming.
Promoted from vp to svp of production, Salamone Smith will oversee the worldwide production of all animated projects produced by WDTVA.
"No one knows the animation industry better than Lisa Salamone Smith," said Blumberg. "Her talent and expertise combined with her incredible ability to build and maintain relationships within the industry have contributed greatly to the success we have had at WDTVA over the past decade."
Salamone Smith has had a role in the production of nearly every program created by WDTVA over the last decade, including DISNEY'S KIM POSSIBLE, DISNEY'S LILO AND STITCH: THE SERIES, DISNEYS RECESS, DISNEY'S THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, DISNEY'S TEACHERS PET and DISNEY'S HOUSE OF MOUSE, among others. She began her career in animation as a production assistant at DIC Ent. in 1987.
WDTVA is an industry leader in the creation of animated television product such as DISNEY'S PEPPER ANN, DISNEY'S THE WEEKENDERS and DISNEY/PIXARS BUZZ LIGHTYEAR OF STAR COMMAND, and long-form releases STITCH! THE MOVIE and DISNEY'S TEACHER PET.