ABC News Names Ben Sherwood as New President

Disney’s (NYSE:DIS) ABC News division named Ben Sherwood, the former executive producer of “Good Morning America,” as its new president.

Sherwood, who left ABC News in 2006 to pursue a writing career, will succeed David Westin, who is stepping down at the end of the year.

Sherwood joined NBC News in 1997 as a producer and helped guide the broadcast network’s coverage of the September 11th attacks, the impeachment of President Clinton and the 2000 presidential election.

“Ben combines an intimate knowledge and success in the news business with a creative flair and entrepreneurial spirit that are second-to-none,” said Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media networks and president of Disney/ABC Television, in a statement.

ABC News has been reorganizing its news division this year as the national broadcast network transitions into a post-broadcast, Internet news world. Diane Sawyer was named as anchor of “ABC World News” slightly more than a year ago.