Mark Pedowitz serves as the senior advisor to the Office of the Co-Chairman, reporting to Anne Sweeney, co-chair Disney-Media Networks and president, Disney-ABC Television Group. In this key advisory position, Mark's broad experience in entertainment is instrumental in addressing the multitude and complexity of evolving business, labor relations and emerging media issues.

Mr. Pedowitz had previously served as president, ABC Studios (formerly Touchstone Television), overseeing creative and business operations for the studio's most successful and prolifically creative years. Mr. Pedowitz's role also included oversight of Music for the Disney-ABC Television Group and the new media content studio Stage 9 Digital Media.

Under Mr. Pedowitz's leadership, ABC Studios emerged as a leader in the development, production and strategic distribution of entertainment content across network, cable, mobile and emerging technologies. As a key content driver for the Disney ABC Television Group, the studio's impressive slate of programming and related product lines feed the company's distribution pipelines worldwide. Primetime broadcast series produced under Mr. Pedowitz's leadership included "Lost," "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy," "Ugly Betty," "Scrubs," "Criminal Minds," "Brothers & Sisters," "According to Jim," "Ghost Whisperer," and "Private Practice."

Mr. Pedowitz expanded the studio's cable and first-run syndication production including Lifetime's highest rated series, "Army Wives," ABC Family's "Kyle XY" and the Steven Bochco drama "Raising the Bar" on TNT. Under his leadership, the studio also marked its first original series produced for first-run syndication with the drama "Legend of the Seeker," and produced the late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

Mr. Pedowitz joined ABC in August 1991 as senior vice president, Business Affairs and Contracts, where he negotiated deals to acquire programming for Primetime, Daytime, Late-Night and the Saturday Morning Children's block. He was promoted to head of the department in 1996. He was promoted to executive vice president, ABC Entertainment Television Group, in 1999, wherein he oversaw all business, legal and financial affairs for ABC Primetime and Touchstone Television, as well as business/legal affairs for ABC Daytime.

Prior to joining ABC, he was senior vice president, Business Affairs and Administration, MGM/UA Television Production Group, a position he had held since 1987. He began his career in the entertainment industry in 1979 as an attorney at MCA, Inc., and from 1980-85 was vice president, Business Affairs, Reeves Entertainment Group/Alan Landsburg Productions. From 1985-87 Mr. Pedowitz was vice president, Business Affairs and general counsel, The Landsburg Company.

Mr. Pedowitz currently sits on the BMI Board of Directors, the Board of the Foundation for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS), and has served on the Executive Board of both the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS) and the Hollywood Radio and Television Society (HRTS).

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Pedowitz is a graduate of the John Marshall Law School in Chicago and holds a bachelor's degree in History from Rockford College in Illinois.