Veteran television and magazine executive Tom Ascheim has been named the new president of ABC Family, it was announced Wednesday by Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney/ABC Television Group, to whom he will report.Ascheim, who has served as executive vice president and General Manager of Nickelodeon Television and CEO of Newsweek, will start in his new role effective immediately.
In commenting on the announcement, Sweeney stated, "I knew Tom during my time at Nickelodeon, and always thought he was an incredibly smart, strategic executive. Since then, he has only reinforced my opinion of his abilities. Whether in print, television, or the financial sector, Tom has gone from success to success. He has a proven capability of leading creative teams, and I'm thrilled that he'll now bring his innovative, entrepreneurial spirit to bear on behalf of ABC Family and the Disney/ABC Television Group."