'Smash' EPs Craig Zadan, Neil Meron to Produce Oscars

85^th Academy Awards telecast to air Feb. 24 on ABC

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 8/23/2012 1:28:11 PM

Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have been tapped to helm the 85^th Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced Thursday.

It will be the duo's first time producing the Oscars telecast. Zadan and Meron currently serve as executive producers of NBC's drama Smash and their film credits include Chicago, Footloose, Hairspray and The Bucket List as well as the recent Broadway revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

"Craig and Neil are forward thinkers who bring a unique perspective to the Oscar show," said Academy president Hawk Koch. "Their enormous collective talent, coupled with their love of film, serves our show perfectly."

The Oscars air live on Feb, 24, 2013, on ABC. A host is yet to be announced.