Betsy McGowen Promoted to Run Kids’ WB
[via press release]
Betsy McGowen To Head Kids’ WB!
(May 3, 2004 – Burbank, CA) – Betsy McGowen, a senior executive at Kids’ WB! since the inception of the network in 1995, has been promoted to Senior Vice President/General Manager, Kids’ WB! The announcement was made today by Jordan Levin, Co-CEO of The WB, to whom Ms. McGowen will report. Ms. McGowen will now oversee series development, current programming and scheduling for Kids’ WB!
“Since taking over Kids’ WB! I’ve felt the network needs a leader like Betsy: an infectious advocate who has embodied the spirit of the network from day one, when she came aboard,” said Mr. Levin. “She’s a savvy creative and business executive who will inspire our team and continue to strengthen the bonds with corporate siblings Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network, while keeping our doors open to the creative community at large.”
“I’m excited by the challenges of this new position at Kids’ WB!,” said Ms. McGowen. “Capturing the creative spark for our network will be top of mind in everything we do, from programming and development to marketing and publicity. It is truly thrilling to assume this post after starting at the network in its infancy.”
Ms. McGowen most recently served as Senior Vice President, Kids’ WB! Marketing. She has held a top marketing position at Kids’ WB! since 1995 and in her capacity has been a vital contributor to the network’s image and branding. She has supervised a team that created and produced all of the Kids’ WB! on-air promotions, network branding elements, interstitial material, PSAs and off-network elements such as video presentations and cable and radio spots. Ms. McGowen has been working closely with corporate sibling Cartoon Network as well.
Continuing to oversee all marketing activities for Kids’ WB!, Ms. McGowen will still report to Suzanne Kolb, Executive Vice President, Marketing. All network marketing initiatives report to Bob Bibb and Lew Goldstein, Co-Presidents, Marketing.
Prior to joining The WB, Ms. McGowen worked as a freelance writer/producer/editor for many clients, including Fox and the Disney Channel. From 1992-93, she was a staff promo writer/producer for Fox Kids Network. Previous to that, Ms. McGowen was an Offline/Online Videotape Editor at NBC and Fox, where she first worked with Mr. Bibb and Mr. Goldstein.