Bob Levi, a man who has worn many hats at Turner Broadcasting Systems Inc. during a career spanning 31 years, will step down at year's end.
Most recently, Turner Entertainment Group president of
worldwide program planning and acquisitions, Levi has been overseeing strategic
program planning for the Turner entertainment networks, including Turner Network Television and TBS Superstation,
as well as licensed series and films for The WB.
He also oversaw the TBSI standards and practices and public affairs
divisions.
In his retirement, Levi said he plans to devote time to a wide range of
philanthropic interests and spend more time with his family.
The company said it will announce staffing plans for the acquisitions group
shortly; Turner officials have not yet named an immediate replacement for
Levi.
Among the highlights of his tenure: Levi sold TBS
Superstation's first national advertising package; succeeded Ted Turner as the
second general manager of that network; helped implement the free-market
Superstation concept; established the company's barter division; and negotiated
to bring cable into the broadcast network window for theatricals.
As a dealmaker, Levi struck many licensing and acquisition
deals with United Artists, Columbia and Dreamworks, and acquired thousands of
movies and dozens of series for air on the Turner entertainment networks.
Levi joined TBSI (then Turner Communications Group) in 1970 as an account
executive for Atlanta Independent Channel 17, the forerunner of TBS
Superstation. He was named regional account executive in 1978, retail sales
manager in 1980 and spot sales manager in 1981.
A year later, he was appointed general sales manager for
TBS Sales and vice president and general manager of Turner Reciprocal
Advertising Corporation.
He was then named vice president and general sales manager of TBS Sales in
1984, vice president and general manager of TBS Superstation in June 1987, and
executive vice president of TBSI. in April 1988.
In 1991, he was elevated to executive vice president of program
administration and acquisitions for Turner Entertainment
Networks.
