GARY FRENCH AND PAULA WARNER TAKE THE REIGNS AS CO-HEADS OF PRODUCTION AT ABC STUDIOS

ABC Studios executives Gary French and Paula Warner have been named the new co-heads of Production, replacing Barry Jossen who's moved over to run Creative for the studio. In their oversight of the department, French and Warner are responsible for production and post production respectively on the studio's current slate of 25 series for the 2008-09 season. Both retain their titles as senior vice president, but will now be reporting directly to ABC Studios President Mark Pedowitz.

"Gary and Paula have been a huge part in creating a first class production operation," said Pedowitz. "They've earned the right to lead us forward, and their promotions ensure the continuity of a creative culture that consistently delivers the highest quality production on television."

French and Warner supervise the physical and post production of the studio's primetime and first-run syndication series, pilots and ABC's late night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Productions for the current season include 25 series on six networks shot in four states and three countries.

French began his career with ABC Studios Production in 2005 as vice president and was promoted to senior vice president in 2007. He previously served as vice president of Production at Universal Network Television and New World Entertainment, supervising physical production and developing and administering production policies for the studios. For 10 years he worked at Stephen J. Cannell Productions on episodic and variety television, MOWs and feature films. Among French's production credits on over 30 broadcast and syndicated series and MOWs are "House," "The Office," "Mr. Sterling," "Coupling," "American Dreams" and "Just Shoot Me." He holds a BA in Motion Picture and Television Production from Columbia College.

A 10-year veteran of the company, Warner started at Walt Disney Television before working her way up the ranks to running Post Production at ABC Studios. She's worked on over 40 primetime series and 50 MOWs. Warner's freelance career included working with Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, Universal and Walt Disney in production and post production management for reality series, sitcoms, dramas and MOWs. Her producing television credits for production and post work include "Cinderella," "Dangerous Minds," "The Faculty," "Wild Oats," "The Sinbad Show," "Night Court," "COPS" and the "Mickey Mouse Club." She's a graduate of UCLA with a BA in Political Science.

ABC Studios is a leader in the development, production and strategic distribution of entertainment content across television and emerging digital platforms. As a key content driver for the Disney-ABC Television Group, the studio has 25 productions ordered for broadcast and cable television in the 2008/09 season and an additional 7 pilots in consideration. The studio's current production slate includes "According to Jim," "Army Wives," "Brothers & Sisters," "Castle," "Cupid," "Criminal Minds," "Desperate Housewives," "Dirty Sexy Money," "Eli Stone," "Gary Unmarried," "Ghost Whisperer," "Grey's Anatomy," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," "Kyle XY," "Legend of the Seeker," "Life on Mars," "Lost," "Private Practice," "Raising the Bar," "Reaper," "Samantha Who?," "Samurai Girl," "Scrubs," "Single with Parents" and "Ugly Betty."