ABC News Hires Sandy Cannold as 'This Week' EP

Banner's replacement will helm first broadcast Nov. 11

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/27/2012 12:07:42 PM

Sandy Cannold has been tapped to replace Jon Banner as executive producer of This Week With George Stephanopoulos, ABC News president Ben Sherwood announced Thursday.

In August, Banner left the network after 25 years to join PepsiCo's global communications team.

Cannold's first show will be Nov. 11; he will work on GMA Weekend until then. He most recently served as EP of CNBC's Street Signs and also produced their presidential primary debate last year. He is also the cocreator of Squawk on the Street.

Sherwood's note to staff below:

I'm pleased to report that Sandy Cannold is joining ABC News as Executive Producer of This Week with George Stephanopoulos.

Sandy comes to us with over 20 years in television.  He has produced almost every kind of program including long-form documentaries and live events.  He also has considerable expertise in program development.  Most recently he served as Executive Producer of CNBC's Street Signs and produced CNBC's presidential primary debate in 2011 - the network's highest rated program of the year.

Sandy was co-creator of the widely popular Squawk on the Street, the first program ever to broadcast from the NYSE during market hours, giving it immediacy and urgency that stand out even seven years after its debut.

As an intern at WNYW when Pan Am flight 103 went down over Lockerbie in December 1988, Sandy knew immediately he wanted to be a journalist.

His love of politics began in the 7^th grade when he volunteered for Rep. John B. Anderson, an Independent candidate for the White House in 1980.  At CNBC, he oversaw political coverage in 2008 and 2010.  Sandy was behind the scenes for one of the most memorable debates of the GOP primary race when Rick Perry famously couldn't remember the third government agency he would cut as president.  We're fortunate that he will bring his many talents to Sunday mornings and lead This Week to new heights.

As you get to know Sandy, you'll quickly discover his natural storytelling gifts, his passion for bold ideas, his obsession with golf and, most of all, his devotion to family.

Sandy's first show will be November 11^th. In the interim, he will work on GMA Weekend.

Please join me in welcoming Sandy to ABC News.