ALEXANDRIA, VA, October 28, 2003 - Children's programming veteran Linda Simensky has been named Senior Director of Children's Programming for PBS. The announcement was made by John F. Wilson, Senior Vice President, PBS Programming, to whom Ms. Simensky will report. Beginning November 3, 2003, she will be based at PBS corporate headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.
In her new role, Ms. Simensky will manage the award-winning PBS KIDS programming block, working with producers, co-production partners and distributors throughout development, production, post-production and broadcast. As the most trusted brand among parents and teachers, PBS KIDS has been called the "gold standard" in children's television, offering quality entertainment in a safe learning environment for children.
"With a thorough understanding of every genre in the children's entertainment field, Linda brings leadership and a proven track record of creative product that will further build upon our critically acclaimed line-up on PBS KIDS ," said Mr. Wilson. "She is tasked with the challenge of delivering deep educational value throughout the programming while also ensuring an entertaining and engaging platform for kids."
Ms. Simensky began her career with a nine-year tenure at Nickelodeon, where she helped build their animation department and launch such popular series as "Doug" and "Rugrats." In 1995, Ms. Simensky was appointed Director of Programming of Cartoon Network, where she handled scheduling, acquisitions, program operations and development. She was promoted in 1997 to Vice President of Original Animation and became Senior Vice President of Original Animation in 2001. While at Cartoon Network, Ms. Simensky oversaw the development of "Dexter's Laboratory," "Samurai Jack" and other major projects.
Earlier this year, Ms. Simensky was named to the Multichannel News and Women in Cable's "Wonder Woman Class of 2003." In 2001, The Hollywood Reporter added her to its "Women in Entertainment Power 100 List."
Ms. Simensky holds a BA in Communications & History from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in Media Ecology from New York University.
PBS KIDS provides a nonviolent, noncommercial daily television schedule that empowers children as members of their communities, nation and world. PBS KIDS welcomes parents, teachers and caregivers as learning partners through broadcast as well as online through pbskids.org. PBS, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, is a private, nonprofit media enterprise, owned and operated by the nation's 349 public television stations. Serving nearly 90 million people each week, PBS enriches the lives of all Americans through quality programs and education services on noncommercial television, the Internet and other media. # # #
Press Contacts:
Lea Sloan, 703/739-5021, lsloan@pbs.org
Jan McNamara, 703/739-5028, jmcnamara@pbs.org