Leftfield taps Scripps vet for development

ITV America-owned Leftfield Pictures has hired veteran development executive Andrew Schechter as senior vice president of development.

Schechter will report to Leftfield co-presidents Shawn Witt and Gretchen Palek.

The new exec joins Leftfield following his five-year tenure at Scripps Networks, where he served as vice president of development across Food Network, Cooking Channel and Travel Channel.

Prior to Scripps, Schechter was a producer at Animal Planet. He began his career in children’s television at Discovery Kids.

Witt and Palek said: “Andrew is an integral piece of the Leftfield Pictures strategy as the label continues to bolster its growing slate. His creativity and proven track record across multiple genres are invaluable assets as we usher in a new chapter of disruptive content.”

The news follows recent series greenlights for Leftfield’s Lewis Howes-hosted talk series (Facebook Watch) and Wolves & Warriors (Animal Planet).