Paramount has named a president of its new television division, with an appointment that makes it clear the company is making digital a high priority. Variety reports that Amy Powell was named president of Paramount Television.

"Powell will continue to head up Paramount’s digital entertainment branch as well as InSurge Pictures," the story reports. "The move marks the first appointment since Par started the television division, which will finance and develop television for all platforms for digital episodic content to prime-time series."

Said Paramount Chairman & CEO Brad Grey: "Amy has proven herself to be a highly-talented, innovative and creative executive. Her skill and experience working across all platforms, at engaging audiences, and, most recently her work at Insurge, will be instrumental as we build a versatile television operation.”

Variety adds: "Sources say that this new division is not meant to be a new CBS but will act more like what Lionsgate does, which has developed such television shows as ‘Weeds’ and ‘Mad Men.’”

Powell has overseen Paramount’s digital division for the past two years.

The report adds: "The exec told Variety that Paramount will be open to inking overall deals with scribes and other television creatives, and that she aims to ‘have very open doors to the creative community. … We want them to look to us as a flexible, nimble TV studio.’"

Powell added: “The shows that will make us successful are unpredictable and explore rich landscapes, while capturing the cultural zeitgeist today and not being derivative.”

Amy Powell