Never pitched: “Mad Men” writer fails to campaign, and doesn’t win seat on the Writers Guild board

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Matt Weiner may be the brains behind one of the most critically acclaimed shows on television.

But that wasn’t enough to guarantee a seat on the board of directors for the Writers Guild of America, West.

The writer and executive producer of AMC’s award-winning show ‘Mad Men’ did not muster enough votes to claim one of eight seats up for grabs on the guild’s board, which has 17 members.

The loss was perhaps the most surprising outcome from the guild elections. Weiner was among the highest-profile of 17 candidates to run for the board, which saw the re-election of incumbents Katherine Fugate, Aaron Mendelsohn, David Goodman, Mark Gunn and Kathy Kiernan. Newly elected members are Robin Schiff, David Shore and Christopher Keyser.

Weiner was not supported by current guild President John Wells, but he did get the endorsement of former guild President Patric Verrone (most of the candidates elected were supported by both men).

Weiner also did not campaign for the position, nor did he put a statement in the booklet that guild members receive when they cast their ballots. An assistant for Weiner said he was not available for comment.

Separately, the Writers Guild of America, East elected six members to its council, including two new high-profile members: Andrew Bergman, a writer for ‘Blazing Saddles,’ and Terry George, whose credits include the movie ‘In the Name of the Father.’

-- Richard Verrier