Joel Wertman Is New President Of Luken

Luken Communications today named Joel Wertman its new president. As Luken’s new leader, Wertman will spearhead operations of all the company’s networks: Retro TV, Heartland, Rev’n, The Family Channel, The Action Channel and Frost Great Outdoors. He succeeds David Leach who left the company last July.

Henry Luken, managing member of Luken Communications, said: “We singled out Joel Wertman as the ideal candidate to lead our television networks many months ago.  is successful background in both music label management and television production make him the obvious choice to lead us down a prosperous path as we grow our company’s footprint in the digital television landscape.”

Wertman’s career started in 1977 when he wrote and produced a song that became a top-five record in Canada and Europe. Following this major break, Wertman made the move to Los Angeles where he joined Mushroom Records as a staff producer and writer. There he recorded and remixed for artists including Heart, Doucette and Ian Matthews.

Wertman got his first experience in television as a writer with Hart to Hart and Taxi and a songwriter/producer for Happy Days and Joanie Loves Chachi.

Later in his career, Wertman held executive roles with multiple record labels including President of Eureka/EMI, Eureka/BMG, Eureka Records and Sire/Discovery Records. During his tenure, Wertman was instrumental in the careers of many artists including The Goo Goo Dolls, Heart, KISS, No Doubt, Bush, Young MC and Tiffany among others. Additionally, Wertman develops and produces television programming for children.

Regarding his new role at Luken, Wertman said: “I’m excited to join a company with such great promise. I look forward to working with everyone at Luken and doing significant things together. This is an exciting time in the digital television industry and I believe Luken is on the cusp of substantial growth.”