Joanne Burns has been promoted from svp to the newly created position of evp, sales marketing, research and new media, of Twentieth Television. She will oversee all first-run and off-net program research activities, be heavily involved in the development and creation of program sales marketing initiatives and identify new media opportunities on behalf of the company.
Programs currently distributed by Twentieth Television include, to name a few, first-run programs A CURRENT AFFAIR, AMBUSH MAKEOVER, DIVORCE COURT and TEXAS JUSTICE; and off-net series MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE, YES, DEAR, THE SIMPSONS, COPS and THE X-FILES.
Burns, who joined Twentieth Television in 2000, will continue to report to by Bob Cook, Twentieth Televisions president/coo in Los Angeles. Having worked with Joanne for many years, I can definitely say she is one of the smartest minds in syndication, said Cook. With an extraordinary understanding of research, sales, marketing, production and new technology, Joanne plays a very important role in setting the strategic course for Twentieth Television. I am pleased to reward her loyalty, tireless dedication and invaluable contributions with this much deserved promotion.
Prior to joining Twentieth Television, she was vp, research and new media, at Eyemark Entertainment (now King World Productions) in Los Angeles, where she also worked closely with Cook. She established the companys research department to support syndication, cable, licensing and international program sales. Burns also launched Eyemarks online presence with the development, marketing and support of the companys numerous program websites. She managed all cross-promotional campaigns for Eyemarks syndication properties and was an integral component of the off-net debut of EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND and first-run strip MARTHA STEWART LIVING.
Before that, in 1994 and 1995, Burns was svp of Nielsen Media Researchs syndication research arm NSS, which she successfully reorganized to better meet the needs of its syndication clients.
Burns began her career in program sales and research at Westinghouse/Group W Television in New York City, 1979-1984, when she ultimately created and managed Group Ws first programming research department. As first-run syndication began to break wide open, Burns then joined LBS (now FremantleMedia North America), to head its research department. During her four years at LBS, she helped usher in the return of FAMILY FEUD and the emergence of live event specials, such as RETURN TO THE TITANIC.
In 1989, Burns joined Buena Vista Televisions research department in Los Angeles, where she took part in the launch of the hugely popular animated program block, The Disney Afternoon and the record breaking off-net success of HOME IMPROVEMENT. During her six-year tenure at Buena Vista, Burns also worked in concert with the studios animation, network, licensing and cable divisions.
A leader in the domestic program production and distribution arena, Twentieth Television provides a wide array of first-run and off-network programming, as well as feature film packages to the syndication and cable marketplaces.
Twentieth Television also oversees the domestic sales of one of the most extensive libraries of off-net programming in the entertainment industry. The company is distributing the critically-acclaimed and award-winning drama 24 for a fall 2005 launch in off-net syndication. Also scheduled to make its off-net debut in fall 2005 is THE BERNIE MAC SHOW, while Twentieth Television is preparing the popular sitcom REBA for a fall 2006 launch. Other programs being slated for future off-net launches include ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, STILL STANDING, LEGAL, THE SIMPLE LIFE and the animated comedy, FAMILY GUY.
