Steve Sohmer
Encyclopedia
Steve Sohmer is a Shakespearean scholar, author of scholarly books and fiction, television screenwriter, and former network television and motion picture studio senior executive.
In 1964, Steve began his career as a copywriter at The Bureau of Advertising of the American Newspaper Publishers Association. In 1966, his first novel, "The Way It Was" was published by Robert Gottlieb of Simon&Schuster. The book received rave notices, and was chosen by The New York Times as one of the twenty best novels of the year. In 1967 Steve was named Creative Director of the Bureau circa 1998.
In 1972, Steve left the Bureau to establish his own media promotion firm in partnership with The Minneapolis Star and Tribune Company
. For the next five years the New York-based company created elaborate slide and film sales presentations for media clients including CBS Television, Newsweek, Vogue, Penthouse, Conde Nast Magazines, The Washington Post, The Dallas Times Herald, The Detroit Free Press, Knight-Ridder Newspapers, The Houston Post, ABC Radio, the Radio Bureau of Advertising and the National Endowment for the Arts.
In 1977, Steve was named Vice President, Marketing and Promotion, of the CBS Television Network. He followed the great Lou Dorfsman in this capacity. Steve supervised the marketing of CBS Entertainment, CBS News and CBS Sports. By imposing professional advertising practices on his department, Steve led a renaissance in television marketing among the major networks. Steve's promotion launched Dallas
, The Dukes of Hazzard
, The Incredible Hulk, Alice
, and other long-running hits. His movie marketing skills drove viewers to Skokie
, Playing for Time
, and Fallen Angel
. In his five years at CBS Steve helped lead that network from second place to a dominant number one in the ratings.
Sohmer was President and Chief Operating Officer of Columbia Pictures
and an Executive Vice President at NBC
. He wrote the screenplay for the television movie Tom Clancy
's OP Center (1995) and created the drama series Twice in a Lifetime
for PAX TV (1999).
Sohmer was married to soap opera star Deidre Hall
for 15 years, though they later divorced.
In 1964, Steve began his career as a copywriter at The Bureau of Advertising of the American Newspaper Publishers Association. In 1966, his first novel, "The Way It Was" was published by Robert Gottlieb of Simon&Schuster. The book received rave notices, and was chosen by The New York Times as one of the twenty best novels of the year. In 1967 Steve was named Creative Director of the Bureau circa 1998.
In 1972, Steve left the Bureau to establish his own media promotion firm in partnership with The Minneapolis Star and Tribune Company
Star Tribune
The Star Tribune is the largest newspaper in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is published seven days each week in an edition for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. A statewide version is also available across Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The...
. For the next five years the New York-based company created elaborate slide and film sales presentations for media clients including CBS Television, Newsweek, Vogue, Penthouse, Conde Nast Magazines, The Washington Post, The Dallas Times Herald, The Detroit Free Press, Knight-Ridder Newspapers, The Houston Post, ABC Radio, the Radio Bureau of Advertising and the National Endowment for the Arts.
In 1977, Steve was named Vice President, Marketing and Promotion, of the CBS Television Network. He followed the great Lou Dorfsman in this capacity. Steve supervised the marketing of CBS Entertainment, CBS News and CBS Sports. By imposing professional advertising practices on his department, Steve led a renaissance in television marketing among the major networks. Steve's promotion launched Dallas
Dallas (TV series)
Dallas is an American serial drama/prime time soap opera that revolves around the Ewings, a wealthy Texas family in the oil and cattle-ranching industries. Throughout the series, Larry Hagman stars as greedy, scheming oil baron J. R. Ewing...
, The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard is an American television series that aired on the CBS television network from 1979 to 1985.The series was inspired by the 1975 film Moonrunners, which was also created by Gy Waldron and had many identical or similar character names and concepts.- Overview :The Dukes of Hazzard...
, The Incredible Hulk, Alice
Alice (TV series)
Alice is an American sitcom television series that ran from August 31, 1976 to July 2, 1985 on CBS. The series was based on the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. The show stars Linda Lavin in the title role, a widow who moves with her young son to start her life over again, and finds a job...
, and other long-running hits. His movie marketing skills drove viewers to Skokie
Skokie (film)
Skokie is a 1981 television movie directed by Herbert Wise, based on the real life NSPA Controversy of Skokie, Illinois, which involved the National Socialist Party of America.The film premiered in the U.S. on November 17, 1981...
, Playing for Time
Playing For Time (film)
Playing For Time is a 1980 CBS television film, written by Arthur Miller and Fania Fénelon, based on Fénelon's autobiography, The Musicians of Auschwitz...
, and Fallen Angel
Fallen Angel (1981 film)
Fallen Angel is a 1981 made-for-TV film directed by Robert Michael Lewis and written by Lew Hunter, exploring pedophilia and starring Dana Hill, Melinda Dillon, Richard Masur and Ronny Cox. It is a Green/Epstein Production in association with Columbia Pictures Television...
. In his five years at CBS Steve helped lead that network from second place to a dominant number one in the ratings.
Sohmer was President and Chief Operating Officer of Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
and an Executive Vice President at NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. He wrote the screenplay for the television movie Tom Clancy
Tom Clancy
Thomas Leo "Tom" Clancy, Jr. is an American author, best known for his technically detailed espionage, military science, and techno thriller storylines set during and in the aftermath of the Cold War, along with video games on which he did not work, but which bear his name for licensing and...
's OP Center (1995) and created the drama series Twice in a Lifetime
Twice in a Lifetime (TV series)
Twice in a Lifetime is a Canadian mystery/drama series that originally aired from 1999 to 2001. Created by Steve Sohmer, the series aired on CTV in Canada and PAX in the United States.-Synopsis:...
for PAX TV (1999).
Sohmer was married to soap opera star Deidre Hall
Deidre Hall
Deidre Ann Hall is a dramatic American actress best known for her portrayal of Dr. Marlena Evans on NBC's daytime drama Days of our Lives, which she played for over 29 years, and is to return to the role this summer. The character is considered an icon to the soap, and has been experienced some of...
for 15 years, though they later divorced.