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ABC, Revolving Door

Breaking: Jim Murphy Leaving ‘Good Morning America’

By Alex Weprin on February 23, 2011 -- 6:42 PM

First on TVNewser: ABC’s “Good Morning America” senior executive producer Jim Murphy is leaving ABC News and will soon be named executive producer of Anderson Cooper‘s upcoming syndicated show “Anderson”, TVNewser has learned.

Murphy has been at the helm of “GMA” since 2006.

Before joining the ABC morning show he was the executive producer of the “CBS Evening News with Dan Rather,” and before that worked at CBS’ “The Early Show.”

Update: Murphy will stay on at “GMA” through mid-March. ABC News president Ben Sherwood says in an email to employees that ABC will announce “a new leader who will work closely with Tom [Cibrowski] and the whole team at GMA” in the coming days. Sherwood’s full email is after the jump, as is the release from Telepictures.

“I am really excited to work with Jim. He has a wealth of experience and I look forward to collaborating with him to create a program that is fun, informative and entertaining for daytime viewers,” said Cooper in a statement.

From: Sherwood, Ben

Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 6:44 PM

To: #ABCTV News ALL

Cc: Sweeney, Anne X.

Subject: Jim Murphy

I’m writing to share some important news about GMA.

Jim Murphy recently let me know that he will be leaving his post as Senior Executive Producer to pursue a new opportunity in syndication as Executive Producer of Anderson Cooper’s new daytime show.

A talented and experienced newsman, Jim has been a valued leader at Good Morning America for almost five years. Indeed, for three consecutive years under Jim’s leadership, GMA won the Emmy Award for Best Morning Show. He has literally taken our viewers around the globe, providing the news and information they need to understand their lives and the world.

On a personal level, I had the privilege of handing over the GMA reins to Jim in September of 2006. I came to know him during our brief time working together and over the past years as a friend and journalist.

We are all in Jim’s debt for his hard work and many contributions to ABC News. And we wish him the very best.

As we chart a new course for GMA, I’ve asked Tom Cibrowski to continue serving in his current and essential role as Executive Producer of GMA. Tom is a strong and hard-charging leader with remarkable instincts and abilities in news. Again, I had the opportunity to work closely with Tom and know that he has even more to offer GMA and ABC News.

I believe in the model of a partnership at the top of GMA to drive and guide the program at all levels. In the days ahead I plan to announce a new leader who will work closely with Tom and the whole team at GMA.

Jim is staying at ABC News through mid-March. Between now and then, please join me in thanking Jim and congratulating him on his new adventure.

The Telepictures statement:

EMMY® AWARD WINNING PRODUCER JIM MURPHY IS NAMED AN EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF “ANDERSON”

NEW YORK, New York (February 23, 2011) – Emmy® Award-winning producer Jim Murphy has been named an Executive Producer of “Anderson,” the new one-hour daily strip hosted by Anderson Cooper, set to launch on September 12, 2011. Murphy will serve in this role alongside Cooper who will also serve as an Executive Producer. The announcement was made today by Hilary Estey McLoughlin, President, Telepictures Productions.

“Jim has vast experience in morning news and an innate understanding of what women respond to in daytime. He has a proven track record in telling emotional and compelling stories that tap into what people are talking about which makes him the ideal fit for ‘Anderson,’” said Estey McLoughlin.

“I am really excited to work with Jim. He has a wealth of experience and I look forward to collaborating with him to create a program that is fun, informative and entertaining for daytime viewers,” said Cooper.

“My five years at ABC News gave me the opportunity to work with some of the most talented broadcasters and executives of our time. I look forward to the challenge of bringing a fresh and positive approach to daytime television led by the passion and expertise of Anderson Cooper. What he has achieved in his career is extraordinary for his years. There will be a new daily appointment for America and his talents,” said Murphy.

Murphy has worked on such morning and magazine shows as “Good Morning America” (as Senior Executive Producer from 2006-2011) and Executive Producer of “CBS This Morning” (from 1994 through 1997) and Senior Broadcast Producer for “48 Hours” (from 1998-1999). He was the Executive Producer of the “CBS Evening News” with Dan Rather, then with Bob Schieffer from 2000-2006. During his time at CBS News, Murphy received multiple awards, including national news Emmys®, Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio-Television News Directors Association and Columbia University/Alfred I. Dupont awards.

Murphy began his career in broadcast journalism with an internship at WPIX-TV in 1978. In 1981, he moved to WABC-TV, where he spent close to five years, the majority of that time as producer of the flagship Six O’Clock “Eyewitness News” with Roger Grimsby and Bill Beutel. Murphy also worked at WCBS-TV from 1986 through 1988 and for the next four years, he produced and directed “Siskel & Ebert,” the film criticism program.

About “Anderson”

Cooper will bring his passionate voice and personal perspective to a topical daily talk show that will tell the stories that are capturing the daytime audience’s attention. The show will have a broad palette that will cover social issues, trends and events, pop culture and celebrity, human interest stories and populist news.

Cooper will tap into his compassion and fascination with the human condition and share compelling and provocative personal stories and tackle the issues that will stir debate while bringing his humorous take on what is top of mind for the daytime audience. Like his predecessors Oprah Winfrey and Phil Donahue, Anderson will create a daily destination for multiple generations of women looking to be informed and entertained, gain perspective, have a voice and stay connected to each other and the world around them.

Anderson will address water cooler topics from the big celebrity interview one day to the personal story behind the headlines the next. From undercover investigations to hidden camera experiments, the show will give the audience new perspective in an effort to gain insight into relevant issues and social trends affecting women’s lives.

“Anderson” will be based in New York City and produced by TelepicturesProductions in association with StrongChild Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.