David Stapf was named President, CBS Studios in September 2004.  In his position, Stapf is responsible for overseeing all of the Studio’s program development and production. 

CBS Studios is one of the industry’s leading suppliers of programming with more than 70 series currently in production around the world or airing across broadcast and cable networks, streaming services and other emerging platforms. The Studio’s expansive portfolio spans a diverse slate of commercially successful and critically acclaimed scripted programming, genre-defining franchises including the ever-growing Star Trek universe, the globally popular NCIS franchise, and award-winning late night such as The Late Night Show With Stephen Colbert, daytime talk shows, and an extensive library of iconic intellectual property.

Prior to his current position, Stapf was Senior Vice President, Current Programming, CBS Entertainment, a position he held since July 1999, overseeing primetime series activities for CBS’ top-rated roster of entertainment programming. In that role, he was the executive who shepherded the shows that helped make CBS the #1 network. He worked with each program’s producers to maintain the quality and direction of established comedies and dramas, such as Everybody Loves Raymond, The King of Queens and Judging Amy, as well as playing a key role in establishing newer hits, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, Without a Trace and Two and a Half Men, shows that helped transform the Network.

Stapf joined CBS from Warner Bros. Television, where he served as Senior Vice President of Advertising, Publicity and Promotion for the studio. While at Warner Bros., Stapf was responsible for some of the industry’s most memorable and successful series launch campaigns, including ER, Friends and The Drew Carey Show.

Other acclaimed campaigns he helped engineer include efforts on behalf of Dallas, Family Matters, Full House, Murphy Brown, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Sisters and I’ll Fly Away, among others.

Stapf began his career in 1985 as a unit publicist for Embassy Television. He joined Lorimar Television in a similar capacity in 1986. Stapf was named Director, Publicity for Warner Bros. in 1989, overseeing all series campaigns while continuing to serve as unit publicist on Dallas and all Miller-Boyett projects, including Full House and Family Matters.

Stapf was promoted to Vice President, Publicity in 1991, expanding his responsibilities to include corporate, trade and consumer advertising and media buying. He was named Senior Vice President, Publicity, Advertising and Promotion for Warner Bros. Television in 1997.

Speaking on: Master Class: Star Trek