Atlas Taps Three Execs To Fill Newly Created Positions
ATLAS MEDIA CORP. TAPS JEANNE MCHALE WAITE TO FILL NEWLY CREATED SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER POSITION
Two additional production VPs also appointed in response to year of record-breaking growth
NEW YORK – October 19, 2006 –Atlas Media Corp, one of the leading independent, non-fiction television production companies in the world, has hired Jeanne McHale Waite as senior vice president and general manager, it was announced today by Bruce David Klein, president and executive producer of Atlas Media. The move is effective immediately.
Jeanne McHale Waite comes to Atlas from Banyan Productions, where she served most recently as its CEO, growing Banyan to three divisions employing several hundred people, and over-seeing TLC’s hit show Trading Spaces. She has received 11 regional Emmys, 3 Tellys, the Women in Communications Award, and a Gabriel Award. In her new position as senior vice president and general manager of Atlas Media, Jeanne will oversee the production, post-production and operations departments, and report directly to Bruce David Klein.
Klein also announced two additional senior executive appointments: Steve Holtzman was named vice president, production and Andrew Scher was named vice president, production relations.
Atlas created these new positions in response to a year of incredible growth, including 55 hours of new programming in production during the summer of 2006 alone, and first-time commissions from three networks: Fox Reality, National Geographic Channel, and GSN. Current and recent shows in production include acclaimed series DR. G: MEDICAL EXAMINER (Discovery Health), SKELETON STORIES (Discovery Health), IT COULD HAPPEN TOMORROW (The Weather Channel), AMERICAN EATS (The History Channel), BEHIND THE BASH (The Food Network), and specials/mini-series HOLLYWOOD HAIR AFFAIR (WE), HISTORY ROCKS (The History Channel), GOTTA GET IT! (The Food Network), and EVERYDAY THINGS (National Geographic Channel).
“We’ve really been clicking on all cylinders this year – with a big spike in new business from old and new partners alike,” said Klein. “By bringing these three dynamic and experienced individuals onboard, we’re making a big commitment to maintaining quality client satisfaction, and growth management.”
Steve Holtzman has been in the entertainment business for over 20 years, working on scripted and unscripted television such as 20th Television’s Design Invasion and the nationally syndicated Ambush Makeover, and feature films including The Village and Jersey Girl. Credits include work for Paramount, Miramax, Walt Disney Pictures, DCI, Scripps, Touchstone Television and Lifetime. As Atlas’ vice president of production, Steve will oversee all budgeting, scheduling, and cost reporting. He will report directly to Jeanne.
Andrew Scher brings 15 years of talk, studio, and reality TV production experience to Atlas. Previously, he served as senior supervising producer of the John Walsh Show. His extensive production credits also include Change of Heart, Ricki Lake, Judge Hatchett, and The Montel Williams Show. As Atlas’ new vice president of production relations, he will handle a range of personnel issues and be responsible for recruiting and managing Atlas’ production talent. He will report directly to Jeanne.
About Atlas Media Established in 1989 by filmmaker Bruce David Klein, Atlas Media Corp. ranks among the world’s leading independent television producers, and is dedicated to the development, production and distribution of the best in non-fiction programming. Recently included in the 2006 “RealScreen Global 100” list as one of the largest and most influential non-fiction production companies in the world, Atlas Media’s award-winning productions have become staple programming for such prestigious networks as The History Channel, Discovery Health, A&E, PBS, The Travel Channel, The Disney Channel, The Learning Channel, USA Network, Food Network and WE: Women’s Entertainment. Atlas Media’s non-fiction programming airs in more than 100 countries.
