David Beck Joins As EVP And Head Of Programming Strategy And Business Operations, Will Oversee Linear and Digital Programming and Operations, Key Network Brand Roles And Related Functions
NEW YORK, NY, March 19, 2020 – AMC Networks Entertainment Group today announced two key additions to its senior leadership team, and some related organizational moves as the company continues to transform itself for continued success. Dan McDermott, most recently head of the Lionsgate and BBC Studios scripted TV partnership, joins as president of original programming and co-president of AMC Studios. David Beck, most recently executive vice president of strategy and operations at WarnerMedia, joins as executive vice president and head of programming strategy and business operations. They will both report to Sarah Barnett, president of AMC Networks Entertainment Group and AMC Studios.
“These two outstanding leaders arrive as we reshape our company to put our passionate audiences and premium content at the heart of our operations. Nobody can thrive today in our fast-moving industry without a nimble structure and exceptional teams led by outstanding people, that’s what we’re building at AMC Networks,” Barnett said.
McDermott will be based in Los Angeles and will be responsible for content creation across the Entertainment Group’s network brands including AMC, BBC America, IFC and SundanceTV, as well as AMC Studios, where he will be co-president along with Stefan Reinhardt, who oversees business operations and studio production. Prior to his role with Lionsgate and BBC Studios, McDermott was a successful producer, writer and partner in Di Bonaventura Pictures Television. He previously worked at Fox and was DreamWorks’ first president of television, overseeing shows like Spin City and Freaks and Geeks.
McDermott will manage key programming executives including Ben Davis, executive vice president of scripted programming for AMC Studios and, for the Entertainment Group, Kristin Jones, executive vice president of international programming and programming innovation, Susie Fitzgerald, executive vice president of scripted programming and Marco Bresaz, senior vice president of non-fiction and alternative programming.
“Dan puts creative excellence at the center of everything, and does so with deftness and delight. His proven chops at finding breakout content and his dexterity at driving success in a wide variety of positions, make him the ideal leader for us during a period of massive industry change,” said Barnett. “Dan will bring strong leadership to our Los Angeles office, working with a tremendous group of talented creative executives.”
Beck will lead the Entertainment Group’s linear and digital programming strategy, scheduling and acquisitions group, digital content and operations including AVOD, TVE, and AMC Premiere, as well as overseeing key brand and functional areas across AMC, BBC America, IFC, and SundanceTV. He will manage Gregory Ainsworth, senior vice president of operations and strategy, Courtney Thomasma, executive director of BBC America, and Blake Callaway, executive director of IFC and SundanceTV. Previous to his most recent role with WarnerMedia, Beck was chief strategy officer and chief ventures officer at TNT and TBS Networks. Before that, he was a co-founder and managing partner of BRaVe Ventures, a media and technology advisory and investment firm focused on helping both industry leaders and insurgents accelerate growth and innovation. Earlier in his career, he held senior positions at Univision Communications Inc. focused on growth and digital transformation, and was a member of Bain & Company’s media, technology and private equity practices.
“We are thrilled to snag David,” Barnett said. “He is an impressive and highly effective leader who brings a terrific track record of driving growth and change at a number of media companies. David is leading some hugely talented teams of passionate people fully engaged in navigating us through this chapter. I know they join me in enthusiastically welcoming David to the company as we continue to transform the way we work.”
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About AMC Networks
Known for its groundbreaking and celebrated original content, AMC Networks is the company behind the award-winning brands AMC, BBC AMERICA, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, and IFC Films. Its diverse line-up of popular and critically-acclaimed series and independent films include Killing Eve, Better Call Saul and The Walking Dead, which has been the #1 show on cable television for nine consecutive years, as well as Documentary Now!, Brockmire, Love After Lockup, and the films Boyhood, Death of Stalin, and many more. Its original series Mad Men and Breaking Bad are widely recognized as being among the most influential and acclaimed shows in the history of TV. The Company also operates AMC Studios, its production business; AMC Networks International, its international programming business; the subscription streaming services Shudder, Sundance Now, Acorn TV and UMC (Urban Movie Channel); and Levity Entertainment Group, the Company’s production services and comedy venues business. For more information, visit http://www.amcnetworks.com.