Stacia Deshishku: Last News

Stacia Deshishku, who has been executive editor and senior vice president of ABC News, is planning to depart the network, according to a source familiar with plans.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Stacia Deshishku is the latest senior ABC News executive to leave the journalism operation in the wake of a recent restructuring by parent company Walt Disney Co. Deshishku was the executive editor of ABC News, and part of a team of senior executives put together by former ABC News President Kim Godwin.

ABC News has tapped Brooke Brower to serve as executive producer of This Week with George Stephanopoulos.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Brooke Bower, a veteran of CNN and MSNBC, will take the reins of ABC News’ “This Week With George Stephanopoulos” as its new executive producer, filling in a gap left by the tragic demise of the show’s previous leader. Brower, who had been managing editor of CNN Politics, will report to Kim Godwin, president of ABC News. Kendall Heath, who had been working as the show’s interim executive producer, was named executive producer of politics, reporting into Stacia Deshishku, ABC News’ executive editor, and will work with political director Rick Klein during the election season. “As the 2024 election season gets underway, I look forward to Brooke and Kendall working closely with the talented teams at ‘This Week’ and all our great reporters and producers in the Washington bureau, led by Jonathan Greenberger, and the political unit under the leadership of Rick Klein and Averi Harper, to bring straightforward political journalism to our viewers at a time when it’s needed more than ever,” Godwin said in a memo sent to staff Wednesday.

ABC News underwent a round of staff reductions on Thursday, with about 50 positions impacted as part of parent Walt Disney Co.’s companywide cuts.

ABC News has tapped Reena Mehta to serve as senior vice president of streaming and digital content, while the network announced other staff changes as it boosts its online presence.