Executives

BARRY JOSSEN
Executive Vice President, Creative, ABC Studios and General Manger, Stage 9

Barry Jossen is executive vice president, ABC Studios, overseeing production, post-production and music for the studio’s slate of network, cable and first-run syndication primetime programs, including pilots, series, original movies and miniseries. Mr. Jossen also serves as general manager, Stage 9, the new media content studio producing original short-form programming for digital distribution.

In his role as executive vice president, ABC Studios, Mr. Jossen also supervises the production of original specials for the ABC network and the network’s late night talk/variety show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and has operational oversight of the studio that includes planning and operations, technology, backlot and growth initiatives. He oversees creative affairs and production of digital derivatives of the studio’s primetime programming, including the popular “Ugly Betty” telenovelitas which run within the series, on the web and broadband platforms. He is actively developing and producing both original and line extension content for ABC Studios and other divisions of The Walt Disney Company, and is currently working on projects for “Ugly Betty,” “Lost” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”

As general manager, Stage 9, Mr. Jossen has creative, production and operational oversight of the digital studio that merges innovative creativity with superior quality to create uniquely original programming distributed through top broadband video sites, online social networks, mobile and downloads services. The studio launched in February 2008 with the comedy series “Squeegees,” which continues to expand its audience reach in web syndication.

From 1999 through 2002 Mr. Jossen was an executive consultant for Imagine Television, where he supervised the production of “Felicity” (on the WB network), “24” (on the FOX network) and multiple pilots, while also developing projects for the Brian Grazer/Ron Howard/Tony Krantz-run studio.

In 2000 Mr. Jossen was also executive producer of the CBS Productions series “Grapevine.” This Miami-based production was the revival of the original series, which he had produced with acclaimed writer/director David Frankel in 1992. Before Grapevine and Imagine, Mr. Jossen teamed with writer/producer Darren Star to co-executive produce the successful launch of “Sex and the City” for HBO Original Programming. The series, filmed entirely in New York, won two consecutive Emmy Awards for Best Comedy.

From 1995-1997 Mr. Jossen was the head of Television Production for DreamWorks Television, a division of DreamWorks SKG. At DreamWorks he supervised the production of the network’s series and pilots in both single camera and multi-camera formats. He was also responsible for the start-up, organization and staffing of DreamWorks Television’s production, post-production and finance departments. His many corporate responsibilities included the general management of the Television Division.

Mr. Jossen’s greatest achievement at DreamWorks was receiving the 1997 Academy Award for Live-Action Short Film as the producer of “Dear Diary.” This film was written and directed by David Frankel and stars Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth. “Dear Diary” was produced by Mr. Jossen while simultaneously managing his duties as head of Television Production. His Oscar also represents the first-ever Academy Award nomination and win for DreamWorks.

Prior to joining DreamWorks, Mr. Jossen produced “Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco,” released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1995, and executive-produced “Dad, the Angel & Me,” a two-hour movie for The Family Channel.

In 1993/1994 Mr. Jossen produced the critically acclaimed “Miami Rhapsody,” written and directed by David Frankel, which had its world premiere at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival. The successful production of “Miami Rhapsody” led to an overall development/production deal for Mr. Jossen at Hollywood Pictures. During this time he consulted on the productions of “Up Close and Personal,” “Two If By Sea” and “Evita.”

Before “Miami Rhapsody,” Mr. Jossen produced the one-hour television pilot “My So Called Life,” starring Claire Danes, for Bedford Falls Productions and ABC. The pilot premiered to tremendous critical reaction and has developed a substantial cult following.

From 1989 to 1993 Mr. Jossen served as head of television for George Lucas’ Lucasfilm Ltd. in Marin County, California, executive-producing the series “Maniac Mansion,” an off-beat comedy starring many SCTV alumni. During that same time, he and Mr. Lucas produced a specialty film entitled ILM’s “Movie Magic” about special effects for movies.

Mr. Jossen's other producing credits include the HBO series “Vietnam War Story,” for which he received the CableACE Award for outstanding dramatic series. In addition he produced “Partners ‘N Love,” a movie for The Family Channel, and the Showtime miniseries “Home Fires.” He is also the producer of the American Playhouse theatrical film “In a Shallow Grave.” Collectively, Mr. Jossen’s cable productions have garnered over 40 CableACE nominations. His productions have appeared on Time Magazine’s Ten Best Shows on Television list three times.

Prior to joining the producing ranks, Mr. Jossen served as director of Production and Administration at Telepictures Productions. There he supervised the production of numerous television projects, including “Ellis Island,” “The Glitter Dome,” “Surviving” and “Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones.”

Mr. Jossen is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Directors Guild of America and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.