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Top ABC executive quits

Courtney Gibson, ABC's Executive Head of Content Creation, is joining Southern Star Entertainment.

abc_logoThe ABC has lost a key creative executive with the resignation of Courtney Gibson, Executive Head of Content Creation.

She will take up the position of Director of Programmes at Southern Star Entertainment after six years with ABC TV.

ABC’s Kim Dalton said, “I am sad to see Courtney leave ABC TV. Courtney has made a significant contribution to Australian content output during her time here. In recognition of that, her role expanded during the six years from Head of Entertainment to the Executive Head of Content Creation in 2007.

“Courtney has that rare ability – she has a real eye for talent and loves to take a risk. She has an insatiable appetite for hard work and lives for television. I know she will continue to make a great contribution to Australia television in her new position and we wish her well,” he said.

Gibson, who previously worked at SBS, said, “It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to work at the ABC for the past six years, with some of Australia’s most artful and adventurous writers, producers and performers.

“But after more than 10 years commissioning programs for our public broadcasters, it’s time to cross back over to the other side of the equation to be a maker of shows and content, for a variety of networks and audiences. I’m sad to be leaving my great friends and creative collaborators at the ABC, but really looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Since becoming Head of Entertainment in 2003 Gibson commissioned The Chaser’s War on Everything, Summer Heights High, We Can Be Heroes and Double the Fist. She has been instrumental in the success of light entertainment and panel shows including Spicks & Specks, The New Inventors, The Einstein Factor, Strictly Dancing and Triple J TV.

Gibson recently told TV Tonight that in ABC panel shows, “The alchemy of the guests is important. I think one of the ways it works is that you become the vicarious extra guest in the group. If you look at something like Q&A it’s live, it’s interactive and it’s as much about the audience as it is the panel. Last night I was streaming it and Twittering with friends about it. So you’re actually having your own panel show in the side bar of the actual panel that you’re watching.”

She also commissioned Arts programming including The First Tuesday Book Club, The Art Life, and Not Quite Art.

2009 has not been without some highs and lows, including a Rose D’Or Award for The Eternity Man and internal scrutiny over editorial processes following The Chaser’s “Make a Realistic Wish” sketch.

Gibson begins with Southern Star Entertainment in October.

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