Hogan Sheffer has been appointed the new head writer of As the World Turns, it was announced today by Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin, Executive-in-Charge of Production for Procter & Gamble Productions, owner and producer of the CBS daytime drama, and Christopher Goutman, the show's executive producer.

Effective immediately, Sheffer will take over the reins from scribe Leah Laiman, who has been with the program since June 1999.

"I am delighted to announce Hogan Sheffer as our new As The World Turns head writer," said Dwyer-Dobbin upon making the announcement. "His enthusiasm and energy for storytelling is infectious and dynamic; at the same time, he remains tremendously respectful of the form and of the cast of characters who inhabit Oakdale." "Hogan Sheffer brings a unique and fresh voice to daytime," added Goutman. "A gifted storyteller, he is certain to guide the show with passion, warmth, humor and humanity, but most of all, with respect for the show's characters and their rich history."

Sheffer comes to As the World Turns from Dreamworks SKG, where, for three years, he was Director of Screenplay Development for producer Mark Johnson. Among the feature films he was involved in developing: My Dog Skip, Galaxy Quest, Home Fries and the upcoming Robert Zemickis release, What Lies Beneath. Prior to Dreamworks, from 1986 to 1994, he was a freelance script analyst for several production companies. Sheffer, who hails from York, Pennsylvania, is the brother of actor Craig Sheffer (A River Runs Through It), who appeared on the ABC daytime drama One Life to Live in 1980.