ViacomCBS Executives on What to Pitch and How to Staff

Join ViacomCBS Executives for a conversation on how brands like CBS, Comedy Central and Paramount Plus are changing, what to pitch where, and how to staff at the range of shows produced under their umbrella.

The panel of ViacomCBS executives will include:

Brianna Bennett (VP, Drama Development) has been a development executive for the past 10 years.   She began her development career at FOX, where she was involved in the development of SLEEPY HOLLOW, THE FOLLOWING, GANG RELATED, ALMOST HUMAN, RED BAND SOCIETY, and EMPIRE.  In 2014 Bennett moved to CBSTVS, where she has been a part of EVIL (CBS), SEAL TEAM (CBS), DYNASTY (CW), NANCY DREW (CW), INSATIABLE (Netflix) and the upcoming CLARICE (CBS) and WALKER (CW), among others.

Kate Gill is a scripted development executive for Paramount Television Studios, overseeing series STATION ELEVEN and MADE FOR LOVE at HBOMax. Previously, she worked at YouTube Originals as the development and current executive for multiple series and pilots including WEIRD CITY, co-created and executive produced by Jordan Peele, and ON BECOMING A GOD IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, executive produced by Smokehouse, Kirsten Dunst and TriStar pictures. Before she worked for the streaming service, Gill worked with prolific executive producer Jamie Tarses at her Sony-based POD FanFare. She contributed to notable projects such as TBS’ MEN AT WORK and YOUR FAMILY OR MINE and ABC’s HAPPY ENDINGS. From there she went over to JASH where she was the co-head of the television development department. Gill graduated from Loyola Marymount University where she studied film production. She is a native of Carlsbad, California and lives in Los Angeles.

Eric Kim is currently Senior Vice President of Current Programs at CBS Television. In that capacity, he has overseen all phases of production on both comedy and drama series such as CLARICE, THE UNICORN, B POSITIVE, BLUE BLOODS, FBI MOST WANTED, SEAL TEAM, and DEAD TO ME. Prior to CBS, Eric worked in live action series for Nickelodeon and Teen Nick. Eric was Vice President of Programming at the CW and part of the creative team that launched the new network. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, Eric got his start in the entertainment industry working for director Jonathan Demme in New York. Kim currently sits on the Board of Colour Entertainment, a non-profit organization of diverse executives in the media landscape.

Jeanne Mau (Moderator) currently serves as Senior Vice President, ViacomCBS Global Inclusion. In this position, she oversees the ViacomCBS Diversity Writer’s Initiative and Director’s Initiative, part of the company’s on-going Diversity Institute. The initiatives are designed to provide participants with access to key network decision makers in front of and behind the camera. As a committed advocate for new writers and directors she plays an integral part in helping to launch careers. In addition, she oversees countless workshops and shadowing mentorships throughout the year.

Prior to joining Diversity, Jeanne was Vice President, Current Programs, CBS Entertainment from 2009 through 2015. While there, she oversaw the creative direction of the CBS series NCIS, TWO AND A HALF MEN and CRIMINAL MINDS. Working closely with acclaimed showrunners, she was responsible for maintaining the network’s vision and needs on a day to day basis with these shows. Her responsibilities   included approving story areas, treatments, scripts, casting and rough cuts. She was also involved with the ongoing marketing and promotions campaigns for each series.

From 2007-2009, Mau was Director, Current Programs, working on the comedies YES, DEAR, STILL STANDING and THE KING OF QUEENS as well as dramas COLD CASE, CLOSE TO HOME and JUDGING AMY.

Mau began her career in the motion picture marketing department at Paramount Pictures. She is a graduate of The University of San Diego with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Business Administration.