BURBANK, CA (April 20, 2004) – As part of a broad restructuring of the Disney/ABC Media Networks, Mark Pedowitz has been named president, Touchstone Television and executive vice president, ABC Entertainment Television Group, it was announced today by Anne Sweeney, co-Chair, Disney’s Media Networks Unit and president, Disney-ABC Television.
In this capacity, Pedowitz will be responsible for the day-to-day creative and business operations of Touchstone Television and will also oversee all business, legal and financial affairs for ABC Primetime, Touchstone Television, and Business/Legal Affairs for ABC Daytime. He will report to Sweeney.
In making the announcement, Sweeney, “Mark is one of the most gifted, strategic-minded executives in television. During his tenure with ABC, he has helped craft new business models that address the changing landscape of our industry while simultaneously furthering the goals of our core interests. I’m thrilled that his talents will now be utilized in a creative as well as a business capacity for our company.”
As Executive Vice President, ABC Entertainment Television Group, Pedowitz oversaw all business affairs, production, legal, music, financial and administration duties for the division, encompassing both ABC Primetime and Touchstone Television, in addition to his overview of ABC Late-Night, ABC Kids’ programming and Business/Legal Affairs for ABC Daytime.
Pedowitz joined ABC in July 1991 as senior vice president, Business Affairs and Contracts.
Prior to joining ABC, he was senior vice president, Business Affairs and Administration, MGM/UA Television Production Group, a position he had held since 1987. He began his career in the entertainment industry in 1979 as an attorney at MCA, Inc., and from 1980-85 was vice president, Business Affairs, Reeves Entertainment Group/Alan Landsburg Productions. From 1985-87, Pedowitz was vice president, Business Affairs and general counsel, The Landsburg Company.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Pedowitz resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Carolyn Martin, and four Basset Hounds. He holds a BA in history from Rockford College in Rockford, Illinois, and a JD from John Marshall Law School in Chicago.
Pedowitz currently sits on the Board of the Foundation for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS) and has served on the Executive Board of both the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS) and the Hollywood Radio and Television Society (HRTS).