Draft:Lawrence Lyttle

Lawrence Lyttle, also known as Larry Lyttle, is an American media executive and political business consultant known for founding Big Ticket Television, the studio behind award-winning series Judge Judy, Moesha and The Parkers, among others.

Lyttle was the recipient of The Caucus for Television Producers, Writers, and Directors’ inaugural Diversity Award for his work championing writers, producers and actors of color. He served as a communications consultant on Senator Joseph Lieberman's 2004 presidential campaign and California State Treasurer Phil Angelides' 2006 Democratic primary campaign for governor.

Early Life
Born to Harry Lyttle and Hanna Lowenstein, Lyttle was raised in a Jewish family in New York City. He attended prep school at the Barnard School for Boys.

Education
Lyttle graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Political Science. He earned his Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

Career
After graduating from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with his M.S.J., Lyttle worked for NBC in Chicago, selling advertising for the NBC-owned and -operated television stations. He then segued to Metromedia Television Chicago and was promoted to work for their local television station in Los Angeles, KTTV, as National Sales Manager.

He transitioned to the creative side of the television business, becoming a Literary and TV Packaging Agent at International Creative Management (ICM). He worked at ICM for four years before moving to Warner Bros. as a Studio Executive. He then became head of all Creative Affairs at Warner Bros.

As Senior Vice President of Creative Affairs at Warner Bros. Television Group from 1982 to 1990, Lyttle was responsible for the development and sales of prominent network television series, including Night Court, Murphy Brown, Growing Pains, Head of the Class, Spencer for Hire, Life Goes On and China Beach. He later served as a Producer for the studio, where he Executive Produced Emmy Award-winning made-for-television movie Babe Ruth on NBC and The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story on CBS. He was also the Executive Producer of the short-lived ABC television series The Human Target.

From 1995 to 1996, Lyttle was President of Spelling Television, owned by Blockbuster, who shortly thereafter partnered with Lyttle to found Big Ticket Television.

Under Lyttle’s presidency, Big Ticket Television produced the successful series Judge Judy, The Jamie Kennedy Experiment, Nightstand with Dick Dietrick and the award-winning sitcoms Moesha and The Parkers.

Lyttle met Judy Sheindlin in early 1996 and was immediately taken with her particular brand of charisma. A deal was struck immediately to produce a pilot episode, and what evolved over 25 years was one of the most successful television shows in history for both longevity, profits and the establishment of Judge Judy as an international icon. Judge Judy revived the genre of courtroom television, and it was the highest Nielsen-rated court show for all 25 seasons. It was also often ranked as the highest-rated show on daytime television. The series went on to three Emmy Awards.

In 2003, The Caucus for Television Producers, Writers, and Directors awarded Lyttle with its inaugural Diversity Award for his work on Moesha, its spinoff series The Parkers and Greetings from Tucson.

From 1995 to 2001, he served as an Adjunct Professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, teaching television production in The Peter Stark Producing Program.

Transitioning into the political realm in 2003, Lyttle established a media consulting practice, advising candidates and business executives on communications and image strategy, media presentation, speech writing and speech performance. He served on Senator Joseph Lieberman's 2004 presidential campaign, then worked on California State Treasurer Phil Angelides' 2006 Democratic primary campaign for governor against the incumbent Arnold Schwarzenegger. He extended his expertise for debate preparation on both campaigns.

In 2007, Lyttle served as Co-Chairman and Investor at BlueCollarorDie.com, collaborating with Sequoia Capital, talent agency CAA and talent manager JP Williams. The internet pop culture comedy site featured comedians like Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy.

Lyttle continues to run an active consulting media and business consulting company.

Personal Life
Lyttle resides in Los Angeles and New York City. He has two children: son Charles Harry, born in 1996, and daughter Zoey Brandon, born in 1998.