Crains New York - February 4, 2013 - (Page 8)

73% BUSINESS PEOPLE of 2012 U.S. M.B.A. grads received job offers prior to graduation Source: Graduate Management Admission Council EXECUTIVE MOVES buck ennis TWO MINDS, ONE PAYCHECK: Julie Rottenberg (left) and Elisa Zuritsky have been inseparable since age 9. They even share their income. GOTHAM GIGS A Smash-ing partnership Longtime pals turn friendship into TV writing careere ‘It was like being in therapy,’ said Ms. Zuritsky of writing for Sex and the City From the moment they met at age 9 during a Saturday afternoon acting class in Philadelphia, Elisa Zuritsky and Julie Rottenberg fantasized about writing together. ¶ In 1998, they turned their friendship into a professional partnership. While shopping the first pilot they had cowritten, they met Darren Star, the creator of Sex and the City, who soon after hired them to write on the show. There, they helped define a generation of single New York City women. Now they are back as the writers of the NBC musical drama Smash, whose second season debuts Feb. 5. ¶ “It was like being in therapy,” Ms. Zuritsky, 42, recalled of the experience writing scripts for Carrie Bradshaw and her cohorts. By 2004, the duo were co-producers and executive story editors, responsible for writing the show’s grand finale. They say writing for Smash is different from Sex and the City. ¶ “There, we had the luxury 8 | Crain’s New York Business | February 4, 2013 of being an HBO show, and we did what we wanted,” Ms. Rottenberg, 42, said. “Here, NBC has a huge presence.” ¶ Experience informs their writing. The character Dev, boyfriend of the aspiring Broadway actress played by Katharine McPhee, is a City Hall press secretary. The role was loosely based on the experience of Ms. Zuritsky’s husband, Jordan Barowitz, a former press secretary to Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “Jordan came and talked to the staff and gave background on what this character actually did,” said Ms. Zuritsky. ¶ For 13 years, the two writer pals have split their paycheck. They’ve written eight pilots, all of which were dropped before broadcast. Still, they hope to have their own series someday. “It’s really like a marriage,” Ms. Rottenberg said. “There are many weeks when we definitely spend more time together than with our —annie karni families.” Concern Worldwide U.S.: Joseph Cahalan, 70, joined the nonprofit as chief executive. He was previously president of the Xerox Foundation. Forrest Solutions Group: Peter Marcus, 46, joined the staffing agency as chief financial officer. He was previously director of finance at ChemRx. Key Brand Entertainment: Anne Rippey, 41, was promoted to chief marketing officer. She was previously president of both the Marketing Division and president of Type A Marketing, both of which she founded. New York State Bar Association: Stephen B. Land, 58, was named secretary of its tax section. He will continue his role as partner and chair of the tax practice group at Duval & Stachenfeld. Young Survival Coalition: Courtney Hagen, 39, was appointed a member of the nonprofit’s board of directors. She continues her role as senior director, executive talent acquisition, at PepsiCo. Denihan Hospitality Group: Thomas Botts, 43, joined as chief customer officer and executive vice president, a newly created position. He was previously managing partner at Hudson Crossing. Lisa Zandee, 44, joined as senior vice president, brand management. She was previously a consultant and founded the James brand of hotels. Accenture: Laila Worrell, 45, was promoted to managing director of the consulting firm’s New York and New Jersey offices. She was previously senior managing director. CBIZ MHM: Scott Goldberg, 41, joined the professional-services firm as managing director, a newly created position. He was previously principal at MGAF CPAs. Jay Graham, 43, joined as managing director. He was previously managing director at True Partners Consulting. Anchin Block & Anchin: Lee Peretz, 30, was promoted to marketing director at the accounting firm. He was previously marketing manager. Coldwell Banker Commercial Alliance: April Michelle Simmons, 27, joined the real estate firm as marketing director. She was previously a client support specialist at Lexis Nexis Law Firm Marketing Solutions. Arnold Worldwide: Lia Armatas, 26, was appointed director of creative services at the advertising and marketing firm. She was previously creative services manager at Grey New York. Clarion Partners: Gary Rufrano, 34, was promoted to director at the real

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crains New York - February 4, 2013

THE INSIDER
ALAIR TOWNSEND
IN THE BOROUGHS
IN THE MARKETS
BUSINESS PEOPLE
OPINION
GREG DAVID
DIGITAL NY
SMALL BUSINESS
REPORT: HEALTH CARE
THE LIST
CLASSIFIEDS
REAL ESTATE DEALS
SOURCE LUNCH
OUT AND ABOUT
SNAPS

Crains New York - February 4, 2013