Vivian Cannon: Last News

EXCLUSIVE: Universal Television has acquired the rights to adapt the Rebel Blue Ranch series of books from author Lyla Sage. 

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Marc Velez has joined UCP as senior vice president and head of development, Variety has learned. In addition, Naketha Mattocks has joined Universal Television (UTV) as senior vice president of drama development. In his new role, Velez will report to Jennifer Gwartz, executive vice president of UCP. He joins the studio from Lee Daniels Entertainment, of which he was the president. He takes over development at UCP from Garrett Kemble, who left earlier this year for a role at Anonymous Content’s AC Studios. “Marc is a rare executive who is entrepreneurial, creative, and a partner to our talent and buyers,” said Beatrice Springborn, president of UCP and Universal International Studios. “We are fortunate to have him lead our creative team, who represent the best of the best as we continue to evolve and grow our slate.”

UCP and Universal Television, divisions of Universal Studio Group, have each brought in an SVP-level development executive. Lee Daniels Entertainment President Marc Velez has been named SVP, Head of Development for UCP, reporting to Jennifer Gwartz, EVP, UCP. Former Netflix executive Naketha Mattocks joins Universal Television as SVP, Drama Development reporting to Vivian Cannon, EVP, Drama Development, UTV.

Writer-producer Jake Coburn has signed a first-look deal with Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, to develop and produce projects for broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. The pact expands Coburn’s relationship with the studio behind The Endgame, the heist drama co-created and executive produced by Coburn which received a series order at NBC earlier this week.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJake Coburn has signed a first-look deal with Universal Television.Under the deal, Coburn will develop and produce projects for broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. Coburn most recently co-created the drama series “The Endgame,” which was picked up to series at NBC earlier this week.“Jake is a dynamic storyteller with a keen knack for big ideas,” said Vivian Cannon, executive vice president of drama development for Universal Television.

Kate Hoenigsberg has joined Universal Television as SVP, Drama Development. Hoenigsberg, who started in March, reports to Vivian Cannon, EVP, Drama Development.