TNets Announce Executive Promotions Across Development, Program Strategy & Marketing Teams

LOS ANGELES (January 18, 2022) – The TNets (TBS, TNT and truTV) today announced several executive promotions and an appointment across its development, program strategy and marketing teams.

Unscripted Development & Programming:

Jenny Ramirez has been elevated to Senior Vice President, Unscripted Programming, TBS, TNT, truTV. In her new role, Ramirez will lead special development projects, and play a crucial role in defining the Unscripted brand strategy. Ramirez joined the TNets in 2017 as Vice President, Unscripted Programming at TBS and TNT, and later added Tru TV oversight, when Corie Henson EVP, TBS, TNT, Tru TV joined the company and expanded the Unscripted portfolio. Ramirez’s most recent achievements include TBS’ cable hit “Wipeout,” “The Misery Index,” and AEW’s first spin-off series “Rhodes to the Top.” Her upcoming projects include: “Stupid Pet Tricks,” “Rat in the Kitchen,” and “The Big D” for TBS; she is also overseeing development of TNT’s return to true crime with the pop culture anthology series “Rich & Shameless.”  Ramirez was formerly a programming executive for FremantleMedia where she adapted U.S. formats for A&E, NBC, Fox, MTV, CBS, and Syfy. She was then a founding member of CORE Media Group’s start-up television department where she developed “Euros of Hollywood” for Bravo, “Sing it On” for Pop, and “Prison Wives Club” for Lifetime, among other series. Ramirez also served as SVP, Development for Irwin Entertainment, where she produced “New Year’s Eve Live with Carson Daly,” “Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows,” and E!’s “Famously Single”. Her passion for storytelling began while working as an assistant editor for the legendary book publisher, Judith Regan.

Award-winning television producer, Lisa Levenson has been serving as Vice President, Unscripted Programming, TBS, TNT and truTV. Levenson is responsible for creating and overseeing unscripted content and development across the company’s three brands. A pioneer in unscripted TV, she has been at the forefront of multiple landmark series and specials in unscripted television and developed international formats for the U.S. market. Among her achievements, Levenson was instrumental in the creation and production of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette”. She also helped reshape “Big Brother” during its second season, giving it the structure, storytelling and gameplay that have made it a consistent hit for CBS. Levenson was Senior Vice President, Alternative Programming at FOX where she oversaw the Gordon Ramsay franchises, including “Hell’s Kitchen,” “24 Hours to Hell and Back” and many other successful series. Prior to that, she was EVP of Programming and Development at Cineflix Productions, producer of “American Pickers” and “Property Brothers,” where she opened the company’s L.A. office and managed the Los Angeles-based programming team, developing international formats for the U.S. market. Levenson’s career began as a producer for the talk show “The Jerry Springer Show.” She also worked on the long-running soap opera “General Hospital” where her work as producer earned her two Daytime Emmy Awards. 

Ramirez and Levenson report to Corie Henson, Executive Vice President and Head of Unscripted for TBS, TNT and truTV.

Scripted Development & Programming:

Drew Uhrig has been elevated to Vice President, Scripted Programming, TBS, TNT and truTV, reporting into co-heads of scripted development, Sam Linsky and Adrienne O’Riain. Most recently, Uhrig oversaw development for TNT’s thrilling slate of tentpoles and award-winning programming including “Snowpiercer,” “Animal Kingdom,” “Claws” and the Golden Globe winner “The Alienist.” Uhrig joined the TNets in 2013 as Manager, Current Programming, TBS and TNT and worked on titles including “Major Crimes,” “Rizzoli and Isles,” “Falling Skies,” “American Dad” and “Ground Floor.” Uhrig began his career in the NBC Page program and later worked in development and current for the network and studio on shows such as “Law and Order: SVU,” “Chicago Fire” and “Guys with Kids.”

Programming Strategy:

Joel McLean has been elevated to Vice President, Programming Strategy & Operations, TBS. McLean is responsible for crafting and implementing multi-year programming plans, including leading scenario modeling, planning, and analysis of key content initiatives for TBS original series, licensed series, stunts, and high-profile programming, with a focus on maximizing audience delivery and driving monetization across platforms. In his role, McLean also oversees the development and execution of short and long-term content strategy for TBS, collaborating with partners in development, marketing, research, acquisitions, sales, finance, publicity, and operations to synthesize data and build content plans that reach budget and revenue targets, connect with fans, and deliver best-in-class viewing experiences.  Previously, McLean held various roles with the TNets’ programming operations and research departments. As part of the programming operations team, he managed Upfront scheduling and long-range planning for TBS and TNT, engineered processes and software to streamline the networks’ on-air promotion and commercial inventory management, and shaped the department’s internship program. Prior to that, he was a Research Analyst for TBS and TNT where he generated audience estimates for the networks’ original series, as well as created and distributed key programming reports. McLean began his career at Turner as a member of the Turner Trainee Team (T3) in 2008.

Brad Kramer has been promoted to Vice President, Programming Strategy & Operations, overseeing all business operations across TBS, TNT and truTV. Over his 28-year career with Legacy Turner/WarnerMedia, Kramer has played an integral role in successfully evolving technology strategy for the business. Some of his many accomplishments include spearheading a digital-first strategy through creation and implementation of DMI/Mediahub. He was also a lead stakeholder in the creation of critical business systems including SHOPS, PHOENIX, EVOLUTION, RADIUS, RSG (Rights Management), MUSE, SCARLETT, AND QLIK. In his current role, Kramer is responsible for developing and implementing effective strategy, processes, and technology to deliver the best viewer experience for consumers and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams including sales, content partnership, S&P, legal, distribution, marketing, creative, technology, network, and studio partners.  He also leads sponsorship innovation through technology and executes network initiatives across all platforms.

McLean and Kramer report to Michelle Durham, SVP, Programming Strategy, TBS, TNT and truTV.

Marketing:

Natali Johnson has been promoted to Vice President, Program Marketing and Branding. In her new role, Johnson oversees key originals marketing campaigns across TBS, TNT and truTV, and spearheads brand execution across all three networks, including expanding IPs into revenue-generating consumer brand experiences. Additionally, she has oversight of cross-division marketing campaigns, including Warner Bros. Theatricals, DC Comics and Front Row campaigns for Max Originals. She reports to Telmo Tabuas, Senior Vice President, Brand Marketing. Johnson joined the company in 2007 as a senior research analyst and was elevated several times during her tenure, holding Manager, Senior Manager, and Director positions within the brand marketing team. Johnson is credited with overseeing successful brand campaigns for six of the TNet’s top-rated comedy launches in 2021, including “Impractical Jokers,” “American Dad,” “Wipeout,” “The Misery Index,” “Chad” and “Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses.”  Johnson’s most notable work includes the ‘Turn NYC Orange’ campaign and Team Coco House comedy club for “Conan,” along with a drone stunt for the series’ final season that won a Bronze Clio Award. She also led strategic marketing efforts for the Promax-winning #MailedIt stunt campaign in support of “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee”; basketball court renovations with local artists for “The Last OG” which received a Gold Clio Award; and in partnership with Director X, executing the Anthem campaign for “All Elite Wrestling,” embracing the league’s diverse wrestling community. She serves on the AdPR Board for Grady College of Journalism, University of Georgia and, prior to joining the TNets, Johnson held marketing positions at Cox Media Advertising, Panera Bread Company and the Peabody Awards. 

Downloadable headshots available here.

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About TBS
TBS, a WarnerMedia brand, is a top-rated destination for television among young adults and known for escapist, good-time entertainment, featuring smart, imaginative stories with heart and comedic edge. From scripted comedy series to late-night shows, game shows, and animated programming, TBS’ Originals slate is comprised of some of the most popular shows on cable — “Miracle Workers,” “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” “The Last O.G.,” “American Dad!” and “Chad.” The network’s slate of premium unscripted series includes “The Misery Index,” “Go-Big Show,” “Wipeout,” “Friday Night Vibes” and “The Cube” along with upcoming series, “The Big D”. TBS’ lineup also includes comedy hits like “Young Sheldon” and “The Big Bang Theory,” classic sitcom favorites such as “Friends,” blockbuster movies, and live event coverage of Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship and “ELEAGUE,” WarnerMedia’s eSports gaming competition. Website: www.tbs.com

About TNT  
TNT, a WarnerMedia brand, is watched by more people than any other cable network and known for big, lean-forward television that takes viewers on a thrill ride of electrifying stories, dynamic characters and premium events. TNT is home to some of television's most popular original series including “Snowpiercer,” “Animal Kingdom,” and “Claws”. TNT is expanding its programming to include premium unscripted with “Rhodes to the Top” and the docuseries “Shaq Life.” TNT also presents primetime specials and sports coverage, including the NHL, NBA and NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championships and the professional wrestling league All Elite Wrestling (AEW), which has exploded onto the scene with “AEW: Dynamite” and “AEW: Rampage”. Website: www.tntdrama.com 

About truTV 
truTV, a WarnerMedia brand, is a bold, fresh entertainment network that gives viewers audacious content with laugh-out-loud moments and relatable characters. With millions of engaged fans across linear, digital and social channels, the cable network features a growing roster of critically acclaimed and fan-favorite, premium scripted, non-scripted and hybrid series, such as “The Impractical Jokers,” “Tacoma FD,” “Fast Foodies,” “Big Trick Energy,” and “Backyard Bar Wars”. truTV is also a partner in airing the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship each year. Website: www.trutv.com