AmHr: Speakers' Bios

Profile

Werner joined The WB Network in September 1997 as its Executive Vice President, Distribution. He was a principal member of The WB's management team and was responsible for The WB's distribution system. During his tenure he guided the network's transformation of its distribution system, increasing its coverage of the United States from 56 percent to 94 percent. He introduced numerous new and unique programs, which assisted affiliates in maximizing the value of their affiliations and provided the leadership necessary to successfully navigate the dynamic network/affiliate relationship.

Werner came to The WB with an extensive and diverse background in the entertainment industry. He previously served as Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and Business Development at CBS, Inc. Prior to CBS, Werner spent eight years with The Walt Disney Company where he served as Senior Vice President of Walt Disney Television. At Disney, Werner was responsible for a broad range of television, ancillary market and company-wide initiatives including responsibility for all business planning and business and legal affairs for Buena Vista Television. Between 1983 and 1988, Werner held senior business affairs positions at Columbia Pictures Television and Viacom Enterprises.

Werner began his career in the business side of entertainment as an attorney and Assistant Executive Director of the Dramatists Guild, Inc., the professional association of persons writing for the theater. He is a graduate of New York Law School and Georgetown University. He is a former Board member of NATPE and a founding Board and Loan Committee member of L.A. FAME Renaissance, a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to economically empowering underserved communities.

In 2002, Werner launched, on behalf of FAME Renaissance Business Incubator, a series entitled, "A Conversation With…." The series, which has concluded its fourth season and is now sponsored by USC's Marshall School of Business and L.A. FAME Renaissance, is produced and moderated by Werner. It exposes students, businessmen and entrepreneurs in underserved communities to leading entertainment executives who share their personal perspectives on achieving business success. Guests have included Michael Eisner, Richard Parsons, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Barry Diller, Bob Wright, Carole Black, Peter Chernin, Jamie Kellner, Ann Fudge, Ron Meyer, Chris McGurk and Leslie Moonves.