NBC exec hires former aide

Newly hired co-chairman of NBC Entertainment Ben Silverman on Monday tapped a top executive from his production firm as his lieutenant in charge of developing scripted programming for the TV network.

Teri Weinberg went to work for Silverman in 2002 when he launched Reveille, his Universal Studios-based production shop. There, the former talent agent handled a variety of duties including producing, developing and casting shows.

“Over time I expect her to shine in her new role, and eventually her role may be expanded,” Silverman said in an interview.

“She is so passionate, so connected, and she has great taste and energy.”

Silverman, now the top creative executive at the network that has languished in fourth place in the prime-time ratings, said he wasn’t sure whether he would bring over more executives from Reveille. He said he wanted to get to know the existing troops, whom he met at a town hall meeting a week ago.

His first impression?

“The group needs to be reminded that they are in show business, and this is a lot more fun than working in the wire-hanger business,” Silverman said, adding that he hopes his and Weinberg’s passion “becomes infectious here.”

Under his agreement with the General Electric Co.-owned television network, Silverman can no longer profit from shows that Reveille is developing and selling.

He will be allowed to continue to make money from such Reveille-produced hits as NBC’s “The Office” and ABC’s “Ugly Betty.”

Weinberg’s proceeds from shows on which she has a producer credit will go into a blind trust.

Weinberg called Silverman “my dream boss. Now we just get to do it at a larger scale. I’m known as the hardest-working nonexecutive producer in town, and I’m proud of that.”

She started in the business in 1995 at International Creative Management and later worked for agent Martha Luttrell.

“She was one of my best assistants ever,” Luttrell said. “She was a voracious reader and the hardest worker. I would have to kick her out the door and tell her to take a day off.”

Nancy Josephson, a former top ICM television agent who is now a partner at Endeavor, recalled that Weinberg was “very efficient, one of those people who could get it all done.”

Now, instead of juggling calls for a talent agent boss, Weinberg will be the one taking show pitches from writers, producers and agents -- like Josephson.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Josephson said. “She’s smart, she’s open and a good listener. “Those are the qualities you want network executives to have.”

meg.james@latimes.com