January 2007 Archives
Welcome to Semel Media!
Founded by broadcast executive and producer Mitchell Semel in 2003, Semel Media is a TV and multi-screen content and strategy company with expertise in original comedy, variety, and news/information programming. Distribution channels include broadcast, cable, and satellite television as well as internet protocol TV, video on demand, podcast, high definition, and advanced mobile technologies. Semel Media also designs video communications networks and strategies for corporations, government agencies, and military and aviation organizations.
Background
Mitch Semel has worked for thirty years as a senior network executive, producer, and strategist in television (broadcast, cable, and public), radio, broadband, and mobile technologies.
His experience ranges from corporate boardrooms to television studios across the country. He has overseen network programming and produced prime-time and late-night shows for CBS, NBC, CNN, Nick@Nite, TV Land, PBS, and Comedy Central. In addition, Semel has hosted and produced syndicated radio programs featuring in-depth interviews with prominent politicians, entertainers, and international newsmakers. He has also supervised the design and launch of a worldwide news and information TV network and website for the United States Department of Defense, created a children's internet video portal, and devised strategy for a cell carrier's push into advanced screen content.
Semel has brought his media background to other disciplines, among them as a member of the Hughes Public Education Project, developing satellite delivery to public schools of educational programming for low-income and at-risk children. He has also advised the United Service Organizations (USO) on assembling entertainment shows for US military service personnel at home and overseas.
A 1981 graduate of Princeton University, Semel received his Bachelor of Arts degree and graduated cum laude from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. He lives outside New York City with his wife and three daughters. He is an instrument-rated private pilot currently working on his commercial rating.
Productions
CNN: Senior Executive Producer, Program Development. Currently developing new programs for all CNN networks, including CNN US, Headline News, and CNN.com. Previously Senior Executive Producer, CNN Election Center with Campbell Brown.
Partnered with writer/actor Paul Reiser: Developed and co-produced comedy pilots for NBC (starring Jeff Goldblum) and CBS (starring Bobby Cannavale, Hector Elizondo, Mercedes Ruehl) as well as TV movie for Showtime (with The Smother Brothers).
Production deal with NBC Productions: Consulting Producer, Late Night with Conan O'Brien; Executive Producer, Later with Greg Kinnear.
UBU Productions, Executive in Charge of Production: Family Ties (Michael J. Fox), Day by Day (Julia Louis Dreyfuss), The Bronx Zoo (Ed Asner), Shooter (Helen Hunt), and American Dreamer (Robert Urich) for NBC; Duet and Open House (Ellen DeGeneres) for Fox Broadcasting; and His and Hers (Martin Mull) for CBS.
Executive Producer and Host, weekly radio public affairs series Focus on Youth and Kaleidoscope: Programs featured in-depth interviews with national leaders and newsmakers, including George Bush, Jesse Jackson, Tom Brokaw, Norman Mailer, Rosalynn Carter, and Alexander Haig; covered Republican and Democratic national conventions.
Programming
US Department of Defense: Supervised design and launch of The Pentagon Channel, worldwide news and information TV network and website; developed strategies for integration of internal Defense Department media (TV, radio, print, and internet) across all service branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines) and to provide multimedia content for new channels such as podcast, internet protocol TV, video on demand, and mobile technologies; and oversaw redesign of DefenseLink and America Supports You websites.
Classic Media LLC: Directed design of broadband video channel for Big Idea, producer of popular Veggie Tales children's DVDs, and oversaw Classic Media programming in Qubo Saturday morning children's programming bloc on NBC, Telemundo, and ION Media stations.
Virgin Mobile USA: Devised strategy for text, audio, and video content offerings on cell phones and website.
CBS Entertainment (Senior Vice President, Programming, East Coast): Oversaw production on prime-time series (Cosby, The Education of Max Bickford, Dellaventura), late-night series (Late Show with David Letterman, Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, Late Late Show with Tom Snyder), and syndicated TV series (The Howard Stern Radio Show); supervised late-night and East Coast prime-time entertainment program development.
NBC Entertainment (Director, Current Comedy Programs): Supervised production of comedy and variety series (Cheers, Golden Girls); managed development and production of entertainment specials and late-night programs (Motown 25, Bob Hope Specials).
Comedy Central (Senior Vice President, Programming): First first head of programming; directed all program areas, including development, talent, scheduling, production, on-air promotion, and acquisitions; added acclaimed series (Politically Incorrect, Absolutely Fabulous); developed ongoing topical comedy news coverage for network.
Nick at Nite & TV Land (Senior Vice President, Original Programming): Oversaw development and production of original series, specials, and pilots (Jump the Shark, TV Land Confidential, Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg, I Did Not Know That, That's What I'm Talking About).
PBS (Vice President, Programming): Oversaw funding of proposed projects; worked with station-based and independent producers in development and production of limited series, ongoing series, and specials; supervised national programming in all content areas (news, public affairs, documentary, science, history, children's, family, drama, performance, culture, and how-to).
UBU Productions (President-Television): Managed independent production company; worked with writers, directors, and actors to develop new TV programs; sold projects to broadcast networks and other sources.
Focus on Youth, Inc. (President and Chief Executive Officer): Managed radio production and syndication company; oversaw advertising sales, corporate contributions, guest relations, research, post-production, affiliate relations, promotion, and listener services.
Advisory
Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children adoption agency (Board of Directors): Domestic and international adoptions for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut families.
United Service Organizations (Chairman, Entertainment Department Advisory Committee): Advised USO in assembling entertainment shows for US military service personnel stateside and overseas.
Descriptive Video Service (Advisory Board): DVS provides narration of TV programs for visually-impaired viewers.
Camperships for Nebagamon (Board of Directors): Provides scholarships for needy children to attend summer camp.
501C3, Inc. (Board of Directors): Non-profit organization funded multimedia projects in arts and humanities.
Hughes Aircraft Company Public Education Project (Member, National Working Committee): Broadcasters and educators developed satellite system to deliver educational programming to public schools in order to keep low-income and at-risk K-5 students in school.
Contact Information
General:
Semel Media
72 North State Rd. #120
Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510-1414, USA
Phone: (914) 332-9229
Fax: (302) 336-9229
Email: info@semelmedia.com
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Agent:
Elliot Stahler
The Kaplan Stahler Gumer Braun Agency
8383 Wilshire Blvd. #923
Beverly Hills, CA 90211-2408, USA
Phone:(323) 653-4483
Fax: (323) 653-4506
Email: estahler@ksgbagency.com