Black women in media are taking over in more ways than one.
Today, news broke that producer and former Netflix and AMC executive Tara Duncan will be joining Freeform as their new President, according to Deadline.
Duncan is set to replace Tom Ascheim as the network’s new chief starting June 8. Freeform chose Duncan as their President, who’s closer in age to their target audience demographic (18-24).
“Tara is an exceptionally skilled executive and a seasoned producer who is bringing a wealth of experience, across linear channels and streaming platforms, to her new role,” said Disney TV Studios and ABC Entertainment chairman, Dana Walden, in a statement.
“Her background, great taste and reputation make her the perfect choice to lead Freeform and its original programming that entertains viewers across its linear channel and distribution on Hulu. Tara and I met for the first time a little over a year ago, and I was truly taken with her vision and understanding of the creative process. Getting her inside of Walt Disney Television has been a priority and I am thrilled she will be leading the formidable Freeform team.”
The Wrap reports that Duncan will oversee strategic planning, brand development, content strategy, original programming, production, scheduling, finance, research, marketing, and communications at Freeform.
Duncan is thrilled about her new position and looks forward to leading the cable network down their already carved path as an emerging giant in media.
“The programming on Freeform makes me think, laugh and feel good at a time when being optimistic matters most,” Duncan said. “It is incredibly exciting to join the Freeform team and continue forging a path for fun, daring storytelling. I am especially grateful for Dana Walden’s leadership and Craig Erwich’s guidance, as well as Bea Springborn and a host of mentors and friends who have nurtured me to this next chapter in my career.”
Duncan is a founding member of Who’s In The Room, an executive mentorship program for Time’s Up. She got her start in the industry at George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh’s production company, Section Eight, where she worked on the HBO series “Unscripted” and film “Good Night, And Good Luck.”
Prior to her new position, Duncan had a deal with Hulu where she was developing an adaptation of the Zakiya Dalila Harris novel, “The Other Black Girl,” according to Variety.
Previously, she served as a senior creative executive at AMC and Netflix up until 2018, overseeing shows like “Orange Is the New Black” and “Narcos,” and produced the “Bosch” pilot for Amazon Studios.
