Longtime Disney Exec Howard Levy Announces Retirement

Longtime Disney/ABC syndication sales executive Howard Levy announced today that he will retire from the company at the end of January. Irv Schulman will assume the responsibilities as head of Syndication Sales, reporting to Geri Wang, president of ABC Sales.

"Howard's talent and hard work have built syndication sales into a great business for our company," said Ms. Wang. "He has been an important contributor and a great friend -- we wish him the best in his retirement. Looking ahead, we have high expectations for the future, Irv's experience and client relationships should serve us very well."

Disney/ABC Syndication Sales was previously called Buena Vista Television, and then Disney-ABC Domestic Television. The group currently represents "Live with Kelly and Michael," "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire," "On the Red Carpet" and "Katie," and beginning in the fall of 2014 will rep "Scandal."

Howard Levy
Mr. Levy is a 24-year veteran of Disney/ABC and is responsible for launching the sales efforts for a number of key programs during his career including "Star Search," "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," "Solid Gold Hits," Disney Afternoon, Syndicated "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire," "The Tony Danza Show" and "Katie."

Levy began his career as a media planner for Compton Advertising in 1978. In 1980, he joined TeleRep for two years as an account executive. From 1982-1987 he served as director of advertising sales for TeleRep' s sister company TPE, and he was named Vice president of Blair Entertainment from 1987-1990. He joined Buena Vista Television as Vice president in 1990, and was named executive Vice president in 1999.

He served as chairman of the Syndicated Network Television Association from 2007-2009, and graduated from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Irv Schulman
Mr. Schulman has a long tenure in Disney syndication sales, with 18 years in the division. He began his career as a network buyer at Grey Advertising in 1990. In 1996, he joined Buena Vista Television as an account executive, and was promoted to director in 1998. He was named Vice president in 1999 and senior Vice president of national ad sales in 2005.

He is a graduate of the University of Southern California.

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