Condé Nast has appointed Dawn Ostroff, the former chief of the CW Network, to head a new 
division aimed at poducing and distributing original TV and film entertainment, the company announced on Sunday night.
“There is an enormous, untapped opportunity at Condé Nast to develop unique and engaging programming,” said Robert A. Sauerberg Jr., President of Condé Nast. “Dawn’s extensive experience in cable and digital entertainment, coupled with her strategic expertise, makes her the perfect choice to oversee the launch of this new venture. We are thrilled to welcome her to Condé Nast.”
Ostroff launched the CW broadcast network and led it from 2006 to earlier this year for co-owners CBS and Warner Brothers. While there, she launched such signature shows as "The Gossip Girl" and "Vampire Diaries." Before that she ran the short-lived UPN network.
The initiative would be an entirely new area for Conde Nast, best known for publishing glossy magazines for premium audiences, among them Vanity Fair and The New Yorker.
Said Ostroff in the prepared statement: “I am very excited to have the chance to build this business for Condé Nast, a company that already has a long history of engaging audiences across print and digital platforms. The chance to create new consumer experiences for some of the world’s most admired brands is a tremendous opportunity.”
Here's the full press release:
New York, NY, October 10, 2011 – Condé Nast has appointed Dawn Ostroff President, Condé Nast Entertainment, it was announced today by Robert A. Sauerberg Jr., President of Condé Nast. In this newly created role, Ms. Ostroff will be responsible for the development, creation, production and distribution of original television, film and digital initiatives based on Condé Nast’s diverse and renowned portfolio of brands. Her appointment is effective immediately.
“There is an enormous, untapped opportunity at Condé Nast to develop unique and engaging programming,” said Mr. Sauerberg. “Dawn’s extensive experience in cable and digital entertainment, coupled with her strategic expertise, makes her the perfect choice to oversee the launch of this new venture. We are thrilled to welcome her to Condé Nast.”
“I am very excited to have the chance to build this business for Condé Nast, a company that already has a long history of engaging audiences across print and digital platforms,” said Ms. Ostroff. “The chance to create new consumer experiences for some of the world’s most admired brands is a tremendous opportunity.”
Prior to joining Condé Nast, Ms. Ostroff launched the CW broadcast network and led it from 2006-2011. As President, Entertainment, she was responsible for all aspects of the CW’s creative efforts, including programming, digital initiatives, branding, marketing and publicity, as well as serving as co-head of the sales, legal and finance departments. During her tenure, Ms. Ostroff developed a multitude of groundbreaking hit series, including “Gossip Girl,” “The Vampire Diaries” and “America’s Next Top Model.”
Before the CW, Ms. Ostroff served as President of UPN Network from 2002-2006, where she oversaw all aspects of the network’s business. Highlights of her time at UPN include creating and defining the network’s youthful, urban-skewed brand as well as developing projects featuring A-list talent such as Chris Rock, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Tyra Banks and Joel Silver.
From 1996-2002, Ms. Ostroff served as Executive Vice President of Entertainment at Lifetime Television, where she headed up programming and production, scheduling and acquisitions including Lifetime’s Original Movies, primetime series, specials, documentaries and sports, as well as all programming for Lifetime Movie Network and Lifetime Real Women.
