Ben Sherwood Named President of ABC News

Dec. 3, 2010— -- The following press release announces the appointment of Ben Sherwood as president of ABC News

After an extensive search, award-winning journalist, bestselling author and Internet entrepreneur Ben Sherwood has been named the new President of ABC News, it was announced today by Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney/ABC Television Group, to whom he will report. In this position, Mr. Sherwood will be responsible for all editorial and business aspects of the News Division, including all ABC News programs on the ABC Television Network, ABC News Radio, ABC News.com and ABC News NOW.

In making the announcement, Ms. Sweeney stated, "Ben combines an intimate knowledge and success in the news business with a creative flair and entrepreneurial spirit that are second-to-none. While at ABC News, he delivered GMA's two most successful seasons in history, and guided prize-winning coverage of some of the biggest stories of the day. Since then, he's become a best-selling author whose work has been adapted into feature films, and a digital media entrepreneur. This success, combined with a keen intellect and a truly gracious and generous spirit, make Ben the ideal person to lead our News efforts into the future."

Mr. Sherwood began his lifelong fascination with journalism while still in college through internships at KCET public television in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times Washington Bureau, and the CBS Evening News. In 1984-1985, during a year off from college, Sherwood worked for The News and Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina; the Los Angeles Times Paris bureau and the United Nations Border Relief Operation in Aranyaprathet, Thailand.

Mr. Sherwood started his journalistic career in earnest when he joined ABC News in 1989, serving as an investigative associate producer and producer for ABC News' PrimeTime (then called PrimeTime Live) with hosts Diane Sawyer and Sam Donaldson. During that time, he was part of an ABC News team that came under sniper fire in Sarajevo, Bosnia in August 1992, and his investigative reports explored flaws in the secretive B-2 stealth bomber program; the dangers of unlicensed mental health practitioners; and the unheralded risks of an overprescribed heart medication.