CMT’S LAURISSA RYAN ADDS OVERSIGHT OF DEVELOPMENT TO HER ROLE AS DIRECTOR, MUSIC AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT
04/19/06
NASHVILLE – April 19, 2006 – Laurissa Ryan will assume the new title of Director, Music and Talent Development at CMT, with a specific focus on developing artist-based series, it was announced today by Chris Parr, vice president music programming and talent relations, CMT and Paul Villadolid, vice president programming and development, CMT. Based in Nashville and reporting to Parr, Ryan will also work closely with Villadolid, who is based in Los Angeles.
“Laurissa’s relationships in the music industry are invaluable and this new position allows her to leverage those associations within the television development community,” said Parr. “Laurissa will play a defining role in determining which artists and their ideas are best suited to take through the series pilot process and into a successful series commitment on CMT,” said Villadolid.
In her new position, Ryan will work closely with CMT’s program development team and the artist community to create series around music talent. She’ll continue to play an integral role in developing new talent and maintaining relationships with artists, record labels, artist management and talent agencies.
Ryan began her career with CMT in 1999, where she started as a coordinator in music and talent, and rose to manager and then director. During those seven years, Ryan has played a role in establishing such shows as “In The Moment,” “Total Access,” “CMT Music Awards,” countdown specials and other music programming. Prior to CMT, Ryan worked in publicity at Decca Records.
CMT, America’s No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos. Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV Networks, reaches more than 82.2 million households in the United States. Go to country music’s biggest web site at www.CMT.com.
# # #
PRESS CONTACT:
Lisa Chader 615-335-8405 lisa.chader@cmt.com
