Brands &
Executives
Paramount Executives & Brand Logos
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CBS Entertainment
Brand Assets
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Amy Reisenbach
CBS Entertainment
November 2022
Amy Reisenbach serves as president of CBS Entertainment, where she leads all primetime, daytime and late-night creative departments at the CBS Television Network. She also supervises all comedy and drama development, alternative, specials and current programming, scheduling and casting.
Prior to her promotion in November 2022, Ms. Reisenbach served as executive vice president of current programs, where she was responsible for overseeing the combined department that supports current programming for both CBS Entertainment and CBS Television Studios. In addition, she oversaw the Network’s top-rated CBS Daytime lineup.
Previously, Ms. Reisenbach served as senior vice president of current programs from Sept. 2015 through June 2017, supervising all series produced by the Studio for The CW while continuing to work on several shows broadcast on CBS. She joined CBS Television Studios in 2005 as manager of current programs, was promoted to director a year later, and named vice president in 2011.
Before joining CBS, Ms. Reisenbach worked at Warner Bros. Television in the drama development and current departments. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in social and behavioral sciences.
November 2022
Amy Reisenbach serves as president of CBS Entertainment, where she leads all primetime, daytime and late-night creative departments at the CBS Television Network. She also supervises all comedy and drama development, alternative, specials and current programming, scheduling and casting.
Prior to her promotion in November 2022, Ms. Reisenbach served as executive vice president of current programs, where she was responsible for overseeing the combined department that supports current programming for both CBS Entertainment and CBS Television Studios. In addition, she oversaw the Network’s top-rated CBS Daytime lineup.
Previously, Ms. Reisenbach served as senior vice president of current programs from Sept. 2015 through June 2017, supervising all series produced by the Studio for The CW while continuing to work on several shows broadcast on CBS. She joined CBS Television Studios in 2005 as manager of current programs, was promoted to director a year later, and named vice president in 2011.
Before joining CBS, Ms. Reisenbach worked at Warner Bros. Television in the drama development and current departments. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in social and behavioral sciences.
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Bryon Rubin
CBS Entertainment
August 2023
Bryon Rubin oversees all financial and business operations that support the divisions of CBS. This includes the CBS Television Network (CBS Entertainment, CBS News and Stations, CBS Sports), CBS Studios, CBS Media Ventures and the digital assets related to each of these groups.
Rubin has spent more than two decades at CBS, serving in various roles, including executive vice president of corporate development, with responsibility for company-wide strategy and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to that, he was chief financial officer of CBS Interactive.
Before joining CBS, Mr. Rubin worked in investment banking and public accounting. He is a graduate of Lehigh University and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
August 2023
Bryon Rubin oversees all financial and business operations that support the divisions of CBS. This includes the CBS Television Network (CBS Entertainment, CBS News and Stations, CBS Sports), CBS Studios, CBS Media Ventures and the digital assets related to each of these groups.
Rubin has spent more than two decades at CBS, serving in various roles, including executive vice president of corporate development, with responsibility for company-wide strategy and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to that, he was chief financial officer of CBS Interactive.
Before joining CBS, Mr. Rubin worked in investment banking and public accounting. He is a graduate of Lehigh University and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Mike Benson
CBS Entertainment
November 2023
Mike Benson is president and chief marketing officer of CBS, a role he assumed in September 2019.
Benson is responsible for all CBS marketing activities, including brand, advertising, promotion, creative, social media, digital and experiential marketing across CBS Entertainment, CBS Sports, CBS News and Stations, CBS Media Ventures, CBS Studios, See It Now Studios, Paramount Television Studios and BET Studios. He works closely with teams across Paramount Global to coordinate marketing efforts for CBS-related brands and programming.
Benson is responsible for articulating a brand vision with innovative marketing strategies that drive growth and engagement across the CBS family of brands, shows, franchises and distribution platforms. Since his arrival, he and his team have launched new CBS Original hits including THE EQUALIZER, GHOSTS, FIRE COUNTRY and NCIS: SYDNEY, and stimulated growth for numerous CBS legacy programs and franchises including 60 MINUTES, SURVIVOR, CBS MORNINGS, THE PRICE IS RIGHT, NFL ON CBS and “Star Trek.”
Previously, Benson was head of marketing at Amazon Studios. He led marketing efforts in support of Amazon Original content, exclusively for Prime Video. His work at Amazon was recognized with Adweek’s Brand Genius and Grand Brand Genius Awards, 37 Clio Awards, including two Grand Clios, five Cannes Lion Awards and an Emmy nomination.
Prior to Amazon, Benson was chief creative officer for the Time Warner Global Media Group. In this role, he executed a wide range of innovative partnerships with brand marketers across the Time Warner corporate portfolio, including HBO, Warner Bros., Time Inc. and Turner Networks.
Benson also spent over 12 years at the Walt Disney Company as executive vice president of marketing for the ABC Entertainment Group, creating a host of highly recognized marketing campaigns for series including “Modern Family,” “Lost,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “The Bachelor.”
Benson started his career at CBS, working in various positions at WCCO-TV/Minneapolis, and later serving as director of communications and creative services for KCBS-TV/Los Angeles. He later worked at VH1/MTV Networks, serving as senior vice president of promotion and program planning.
November 2023
Mike Benson is president and chief marketing officer of CBS, a role he assumed in September 2019.
Benson is responsible for all CBS marketing activities, including brand, advertising, promotion, creative, social media, digital and experiential marketing across CBS Entertainment, CBS Sports, CBS News and Stations, CBS Media Ventures, CBS Studios, See It Now Studios, Paramount Television Studios and BET Studios. He works closely with teams across Paramount Global to coordinate marketing efforts for CBS-related brands and programming.
Benson is responsible for articulating a brand vision with innovative marketing strategies that drive growth and engagement across the CBS family of brands, shows, franchises and distribution platforms. Since his arrival, he and his team have launched new CBS Original hits including THE EQUALIZER, GHOSTS, FIRE COUNTRY and NCIS: SYDNEY, and stimulated growth for numerous CBS legacy programs and franchises including 60 MINUTES, SURVIVOR, CBS MORNINGS, THE PRICE IS RIGHT, NFL ON CBS and “Star Trek.”
Previously, Benson was head of marketing at Amazon Studios. He led marketing efforts in support of Amazon Original content, exclusively for Prime Video. His work at Amazon was recognized with Adweek’s Brand Genius and Grand Brand Genius Awards, 37 Clio Awards, including two Grand Clios, five Cannes Lion Awards and an Emmy nomination.
Prior to Amazon, Benson was chief creative officer for the Time Warner Global Media Group. In this role, he executed a wide range of innovative partnerships with brand marketers across the Time Warner corporate portfolio, including HBO, Warner Bros., Time Inc. and Turner Networks.
Benson also spent over 12 years at the Walt Disney Company as executive vice president of marketing for the ABC Entertainment Group, creating a host of highly recognized marketing campaigns for series including “Modern Family,” “Lost,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “The Bachelor.”
Benson started his career at CBS, working in various positions at WCCO-TV/Minneapolis, and later serving as director of communications and creative services for KCBS-TV/Los Angeles. He later worked at VH1/MTV Networks, serving as senior vice president of promotion and program planning.
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Radha Subramanyam
CBS Entertainment
September 2023
Radha Subramanyam serves as chief research and analytics officer at CBS and president of CBS Vision. She joined the Company as executive vice president, chief research and analytics officer at the CBS Television Network in November 2017 and was promoted to her current role after 18 months. Subramanyam oversees all research and analytics operations forCBS, including audience measurement, analytics, market research, content testing and advertising research. She has extensive strategic and operational experience in all areas of the industry, including broadcast, cable, digital and streaming, as well as radio, music and social media.
Most recently, Subramanyam served as president of research, insights and data analytics for iHeartMedia, where she developed and managed wide-ranging efforts involving digital analytics, ratings and measurement, ad sales research, mobile measurement, programming analysis, music research, campaign measurement and marketing research.
Prior to joining iHeartMedia, Subramanyam held senior executive research roles at Yahoo!, MTV Networks and Nielsen. Before beginning her career in the media industry, she taught media and entertainment at Vassar College and New York University.
Subramanyam serves on the board of directors of the Center for Communication, the International Radio & Television Society and the Advertising Research Foundation. She is the recipient of many accolades including being named among the National Women’s Conference’s “Top Women in Business,” the Tri-State Diversity Council’s “Top Women Leaders of New York” and Corinium’s “Top Innovators in Data and Analytics.” In 2023 she was a distinguished recipient of the International Women’s Day Award at the Consulate General of India. She is a sought-after media thought leader and speaker.
September 2023
Radha Subramanyam serves as chief research and analytics officer at CBS and president of CBS Vision. She joined the Company as executive vice president, chief research and analytics officer at the CBS Television Network in November 2017 and was promoted to her current role after 18 months. Subramanyam oversees all research and analytics operations forCBS, including audience measurement, analytics, market research, content testing and advertising research. She has extensive strategic and operational experience in all areas of the industry, including broadcast, cable, digital and streaming, as well as radio, music and social media.
Most recently, Subramanyam served as president of research, insights and data analytics for iHeartMedia, where she developed and managed wide-ranging efforts involving digital analytics, ratings and measurement, ad sales research, mobile measurement, programming analysis, music research, campaign measurement and marketing research.
Prior to joining iHeartMedia, Subramanyam held senior executive research roles at Yahoo!, MTV Networks and Nielsen. Before beginning her career in the media industry, she taught media and entertainment at Vassar College and New York University.
Subramanyam serves on the board of directors of the Center for Communication, the International Radio & Television Society and the Advertising Research Foundation. She is the recipient of many accolades including being named among the National Women’s Conference’s “Top Women in Business,” the Tri-State Diversity Council’s “Top Women Leaders of New York” and Corinium’s “Top Innovators in Data and Analytics.” In 2023 she was a distinguished recipient of the International Women’s Day Award at the Consulate General of India. She is a sought-after media thought leader and speaker.
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Chris Ender
CBS Entertainment
September 2023
Chris Ender was named executive vice president of communications for CBS in June 2020. He reports to George Cheeks, president and chief executive officer of CBS. In this post, Ender oversees external and internal communications and media relations for all CBS divisions, including Entertainment, News and Stations, Sports and Studios.
Ender joined CBS in 1996 as vice president of media relations for CBS Entertainment. During his tenure at the company, he has overseen launch campaigns for shows that have built CBS into America’s Most-Watched Network. He has also expanded the CBS Television Network’s public relations operation, created the CBS Studios PR department and helped shape communications strategies for the company’s international television business and for multiple other CBS divisions.
Before joining CBS, Ender served as vice president of media relations for Sony Pictures Television. Previously, he was an account executive at Bender, Goldman & Helper public relations.
Ender is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in journalism.
September 2023
Chris Ender was named executive vice president of communications for CBS in June 2020. He reports to George Cheeks, president and chief executive officer of CBS. In this post, Ender oversees external and internal communications and media relations for all CBS divisions, including Entertainment, News and Stations, Sports and Studios.
Ender joined CBS in 1996 as vice president of media relations for CBS Entertainment. During his tenure at the company, he has overseen launch campaigns for shows that have built CBS into America’s Most-Watched Network. He has also expanded the CBS Television Network’s public relations operation, created the CBS Studios PR department and helped shape communications strategies for the company’s international television business and for multiple other CBS divisions.
Before joining CBS, Ender served as vice president of media relations for Sony Pictures Television. Previously, he was an account executive at Bender, Goldman & Helper public relations.
Ender is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in journalism.
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Yelena Chak
CBS Entertainment
January 2021
Yelena Chak was named head of drama development for CBS Entertainment in September 2017. In her position, Chak oversees development for the Network’s new drama series. She reports to Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment.
Chak joined CBS Entertainment in 2007 as Director, Drama Series, and was named Vice President in 2009, Senior Vice President in 2016 and Executive Vice President in 2019. During her time at the Network, she has been involved in the development of the FBI franchise, the NCIS franchise, EVIL, ALL RISE, BULL, MAGNUM P.I., MACGYVER, GOD FRIENDED ME, SEAL TEAM, S.W.A.T., INSTINCT, BULL, “Zoo,” BLUE BLOODS, MADAM SECRETARY“Madam Secretary,” “Salvation,” “Scorpion,” “Under the Dome,” ELEMENTARY“Elementary,” “Person of Interest,” HAWAII FIVE-0,“Hawaii 5Five-0 BLUE BLOODS,” “The Good Wife,” and “The Mentalist,,” as well as the Network’s new fall dramas, ALL RISECLARICE and THE EVILEQUALIZER.
Before joining CBS, Chak worked in drama development at Jerry Bruckheimer Television, where she oversaw such series as “Without a Trace,” “Cold Case” and the “CSI” franchise. Previously, she worked at NBC, where she participated in the network’s Associate Program, which led to a position in comedy development. Chak began her Hollywood career in the mailroom at UTA, where she was quickly promoted to agent trainee in the TV literary department.
Chak is a graduate of Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in economics. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from Stanford University.
January 2021
Yelena Chak was named head of drama development for CBS Entertainment in September 2017. In her position, Chak oversees development for the Network’s new drama series. She reports to Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment.
Chak joined CBS Entertainment in 2007 as Director, Drama Series, and was named Vice President in 2009, Senior Vice President in 2016 and Executive Vice President in 2019. During her time at the Network, she has been involved in the development of the FBI franchise, the NCIS franchise, EVIL, ALL RISE, BULL, MAGNUM P.I., MACGYVER, GOD FRIENDED ME, SEAL TEAM, S.W.A.T., INSTINCT, BULL, “Zoo,” BLUE BLOODS, MADAM SECRETARY“Madam Secretary,” “Salvation,” “Scorpion,” “Under the Dome,” ELEMENTARY“Elementary,” “Person of Interest,” HAWAII FIVE-0,“Hawaii 5Five-0 BLUE BLOODS,” “The Good Wife,” and “The Mentalist,,” as well as the Network’s new fall dramas, ALL RISECLARICE and THE EVILEQUALIZER.
Before joining CBS, Chak worked in drama development at Jerry Bruckheimer Television, where she oversaw such series as “Without a Trace,” “Cold Case” and the “CSI” franchise. Previously, she worked at NBC, where she participated in the network’s Associate Program, which led to a position in comedy development. Chak began her Hollywood career in the mailroom at UTA, where she was quickly promoted to agent trainee in the TV literary department.
Chak is a graduate of Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in economics. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from Stanford University.
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Noriko Kelley
CBS Entertainment
January 2021
Noriko Kelley was promoted to Executive Vice President, Program Planning & Scheduling, CBS Entertainment, in June 2017, succeeding Kelly Kahl when he was named president of the division. She is the first-ever female head of scheduling for any broadcast television network.
In this position, which reports to Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, Kelley’s primary responsibility is overseeing the program planning and scheduling of all primetime programming for the CBS Television Network. She also supervises coordination between CBS programming divisions and the Network’s respective operations in sales, marketing, affiliate relations, news, sports and research, as well as with the CBS Television Stations Group.
Previously, Kelley was Senior Vice President, Program Planning & Scheduling since August 2012. Prior to that, she was Vice President, Program Planning & Scheduling since April 2010, playing a role in many of the Network’s successful scheduling moves. Previously, she served as a director in the department since May 2007. In that time, Kelley has also worked with The CW and will continue in that capacity.
Kelley moved into the scheduling department in 2003 as a coordinator, working with the department to schedule series, movies and specials for CBS and UPN. She was promoted to manager in February 2006. She began her career as an intern in the CBS research department in 2001, and in 2002 she was named a research analyst.
Kelley is a graduate of USC with a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian languages and cultures and also has an M.A. in communication management from USC’s Annenberg School of Communication. She serves on the board of the USC Annenberg School of Communication Alumni Advisory and is a member of the USC Trojan Women’s Network.
January 2021
Noriko Kelley was promoted to Executive Vice President, Program Planning & Scheduling, CBS Entertainment, in June 2017, succeeding Kelly Kahl when he was named president of the division. She is the first-ever female head of scheduling for any broadcast television network.
In this position, which reports to Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, Kelley’s primary responsibility is overseeing the program planning and scheduling of all primetime programming for the CBS Television Network. She also supervises coordination between CBS programming divisions and the Network’s respective operations in sales, marketing, affiliate relations, news, sports and research, as well as with the CBS Television Stations Group.
Previously, Kelley was Senior Vice President, Program Planning & Scheduling since August 2012. Prior to that, she was Vice President, Program Planning & Scheduling since April 2010, playing a role in many of the Network’s successful scheduling moves. Previously, she served as a director in the department since May 2007. In that time, Kelley has also worked with The CW and will continue in that capacity.
Kelley moved into the scheduling department in 2003 as a coordinator, working with the department to schedule series, movies and specials for CBS and UPN. She was promoted to manager in February 2006. She began her career as an intern in the CBS research department in 2001, and in 2002 she was named a research analyst.
Kelley is a graduate of USC with a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian languages and cultures and also has an M.A. in communication management from USC’s Annenberg School of Communication. She serves on the board of the USC Annenberg School of Communication Alumni Advisory and is a member of the USC Trojan Women’s Network.
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Jeeun Kim
CBS Entertainment
April 2021
Jeeun Kim is the Executive Vice President, Co-Head of Business Affairs, CBS, reporting to Bryon Rubin, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, CBS.
Ms. Kim co-leads a business affairs department that supports an industry-leading studio that is currently producing more than 75 series across 15 platforms and the most-watched broadcast network. In her position, Ms. Kim is responsible for overseeing all development, license, co-production and “above-the-line” deals for the production of scripted and unscripted series and specials for the Network.
Ms. Kim, who joined CBS in October 2020, most recently served as Director, Business Affairs (Original Series) for Netflix, where she led a team of negotiators handling development, production and license deals for scripted development projects and series.
Prior to that Ms. Kim spent 16 years at NBCUniversal in increasingly senior roles for its various divisions, including NBC Network, USA, Syfy, Universal Cable Productions and Universal Television. From 2015-2018, she was Senior Vice President, Business Affairs; Vice President, Business Affairs from 2007; Vice President of Legal Affairs since 2006; and held Senior Legal Counsel positions since 2002. Ms. Kim began her career as a lawyer, serving as an associate in the corporate departments of Latham & Watkins in Los Angeles and Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker in New York.
Ms. Kim earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and her law degree from the Columbia University School of Law. She is a member of the bar in both California and New York.
April 2021
Jeeun Kim is the Executive Vice President, Co-Head of Business Affairs, CBS, reporting to Bryon Rubin, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, CBS.
Ms. Kim co-leads a business affairs department that supports an industry-leading studio that is currently producing more than 75 series across 15 platforms and the most-watched broadcast network. In her position, Ms. Kim is responsible for overseeing all development, license, co-production and “above-the-line” deals for the production of scripted and unscripted series and specials for the Network.
Ms. Kim, who joined CBS in October 2020, most recently served as Director, Business Affairs (Original Series) for Netflix, where she led a team of negotiators handling development, production and license deals for scripted development projects and series.
Prior to that Ms. Kim spent 16 years at NBCUniversal in increasingly senior roles for its various divisions, including NBC Network, USA, Syfy, Universal Cable Productions and Universal Television. From 2015-2018, she was Senior Vice President, Business Affairs; Vice President, Business Affairs from 2007; Vice President of Legal Affairs since 2006; and held Senior Legal Counsel positions since 2002. Ms. Kim began her career as a lawyer, serving as an associate in the corporate departments of Latham & Watkins in Los Angeles and Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker in New York.
Ms. Kim earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and her law degree from the Columbia University School of Law. She is a member of the bar in both California and New York.
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Eric Kim
CBS Entertainment
December 2022
Eric Kim serves as the executive vice president of current programs. In his new role, Mr. Kim oversees current primetime and daytime programming on the CBS Television Network and for CBS Studios.
Mr. Kim started at CBS in 2011. Over the last 11 years, he has overseen all phases of production on both comedy and drama series such as BLUE BLOODS, FBI: MOST WANTED, FBI: INTERNATIONAL, CSI and many more. Prior to joining the Network, he worked in live action series for Nickelodeon and Teen Nick from 2009-2011. He was also vice president of current programming at the CW from 2006-2009, and was part of the creative team that launched the new network when The WB and UPN networks merged. Mr. Kim was also an executive at UPN from 2004-2006.
Mr. Kim got his start in the entertainment industry working for director Jonathan Demme on the Academy Award-winning film “Philadelphia” – upon its completion, he followed Demme to his production company in New York.
Mr. Kim graduated from The University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. He currently sits on the board of Colour Entertainment, a non-profit organization of diverse executives in the media landscape. He also serves as a board member of non-profit Korean American Leaders in Hollywood (KALH). Formerly, he was a board member of the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE).
December 2022
Eric Kim serves as the executive vice president of current programs. In his new role, Mr. Kim oversees current primetime and daytime programming on the CBS Television Network and for CBS Studios.
Mr. Kim started at CBS in 2011. Over the last 11 years, he has overseen all phases of production on both comedy and drama series such as BLUE BLOODS, FBI: MOST WANTED, FBI: INTERNATIONAL, CSI and many more. Prior to joining the Network, he worked in live action series for Nickelodeon and Teen Nick from 2009-2011. He was also vice president of current programming at the CW from 2006-2009, and was part of the creative team that launched the new network when The WB and UPN networks merged. Mr. Kim was also an executive at UPN from 2004-2006.
Mr. Kim got his start in the entertainment industry working for director Jonathan Demme on the Academy Award-winning film “Philadelphia” – upon its completion, he followed Demme to his production company in New York.
Mr. Kim graduated from The University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. He currently sits on the board of Colour Entertainment, a non-profit organization of diverse executives in the media landscape. He also serves as a board member of non-profit Korean American Leaders in Hollywood (KALH). Formerly, he was a board member of the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE).
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Jon Koa
CBS Entertainment
July 2021
Respected network and studio veteran Jon Koa joined CBS as Executive Vice President, Comedy Development, in July 2021. He reports to Amy Reisenbach, President, CBS Entertainment.
In his new role, Mr. Koa oversees all comedy development for CBS Entertainment’s primetime programming.
Most recently, Mr. Koa served as Senior Vice President, Scripted Television for Condé Nast Entertainment since 2015, where he oversaw the development of the independent production entity’s series for network, streaming and cable. He also mined the publisher’s intellectual properties (including The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Wired, GQ, Vogue, Glamour, Bon Appetit, and others) for new film and television content.
Prior to joining Condé Nast, Mr. Koa served as Executive Director, Comedy Programming and Development, for the ABC Television Network from 2009 to 2015, where he was a member of the development team that launched “Black-ish”, “Fresh Off the Boat” and “The Goldbergs,” and was intimately involved with the development, launch and current programming of such series as “Happy Endings,” “Dr. Ken,” “Scrubs,” and several others. He began his entertainment career in 2006 in the drama development department at Universal Television, serving in ever-more-responsible roles and ultimately rising to Vice President of Drama Series. While there, he worked on such series as “House,” “Parenthood,” “Monk” and “Battlestar Galactica.”
Mr. Koa graduated from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
July 2021
Respected network and studio veteran Jon Koa joined CBS as Executive Vice President, Comedy Development, in July 2021. He reports to Amy Reisenbach, President, CBS Entertainment.
In his new role, Mr. Koa oversees all comedy development for CBS Entertainment’s primetime programming.
Most recently, Mr. Koa served as Senior Vice President, Scripted Television for Condé Nast Entertainment since 2015, where he oversaw the development of the independent production entity’s series for network, streaming and cable. He also mined the publisher’s intellectual properties (including The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Wired, GQ, Vogue, Glamour, Bon Appetit, and others) for new film and television content.
Prior to joining Condé Nast, Mr. Koa served as Executive Director, Comedy Programming and Development, for the ABC Television Network from 2009 to 2015, where he was a member of the development team that launched “Black-ish”, “Fresh Off the Boat” and “The Goldbergs,” and was intimately involved with the development, launch and current programming of such series as “Happy Endings,” “Dr. Ken,” “Scrubs,” and several others. He began his entertainment career in 2006 in the drama development department at Universal Television, serving in ever-more-responsible roles and ultimately rising to Vice President of Drama Series. While there, he worked on such series as “House,” “Parenthood,” “Monk” and “Battlestar Galactica.”
Mr. Koa graduated from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
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Claudia Lyon
CBS Entertainment
May 2023
Claudia Lyon was named executive vice president of talent and casting at CBS Entertainment in July 2019.
In her role, Lyon oversees all talent and casting operations for CBS Entertainment’s primetime and daytime programming, limited series, alternative programs and specials. Among the Network projects she has been instrumental in casting are breakout series GHOSTS, NCIS: HAWAI’I and FIRE COUNTRY, along with upcoming new series MATLOCK, which stars Oscar® winner Kathy Bates, and ELSBETH, featuring Emmy Award® winner Carrie Preston and Tony® nominee Wendell Pierce.
In September 2022, Lyon and the Network announced the CBS Performers with Disabilities Talent Initiative, an industry-first series of activations aimed at increasing opportunities for performers with disabilities and educating industry professionals at CBS and Paramount Global.
Lyon also works closely with the corporate Office of Global Inclusion to produce Paramount’s annual CBS Showcase and is a member of the parent company’s global inclusion advisory council, co-chaired by CEO Bob Bakish.
Prior to joining CBS, Lyon served as vice president of talent and casting at ABC Entertainment, where she oversaw casting for all ABC Studios and ABC Signature pilots and primetime series, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Scandal,” “Black-Ish” and “High Fidelity.” Preceding that, Lyon oversaw the casting of “Ugly Betty” and the multi-Emmy Award and Golden Globe® Award-winning “Modern Family.” In addition, Lyon helped spearhead all aspects of ABC’s domestic, global and digital initiatives that identified, developed and mentored talent from around the world.
Prior to joining Disney|ABC Television, Lyon was vice president of casting and talent at the WB Network, where she oversaw the casting of primetime series, including “Dawson’s Creek,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Felicity,” “Gilmore Girls” and “Supernatural.”
Lyon has been honored as a “Powerful and Influential Latino in the Entertainment Industry” five times by The Imagen Foundation and was recently inducted into their Influential Latinos in Media Hall of Fame. Additionally, Lyon served on the advisory board for the NICA Foundation, an initiative to elevate rural communities in Central America, and has volunteered for Minds Matter and the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications.
May 2023
Claudia Lyon was named executive vice president of talent and casting at CBS Entertainment in July 2019.
In her role, Lyon oversees all talent and casting operations for CBS Entertainment’s primetime and daytime programming, limited series, alternative programs and specials. Among the Network projects she has been instrumental in casting are breakout series GHOSTS, NCIS: HAWAI’I and FIRE COUNTRY, along with upcoming new series MATLOCK, which stars Oscar® winner Kathy Bates, and ELSBETH, featuring Emmy Award® winner Carrie Preston and Tony® nominee Wendell Pierce.
In September 2022, Lyon and the Network announced the CBS Performers with Disabilities Talent Initiative, an industry-first series of activations aimed at increasing opportunities for performers with disabilities and educating industry professionals at CBS and Paramount Global.
Lyon also works closely with the corporate Office of Global Inclusion to produce Paramount’s annual CBS Showcase and is a member of the parent company’s global inclusion advisory council, co-chaired by CEO Bob Bakish.
Prior to joining CBS, Lyon served as vice president of talent and casting at ABC Entertainment, where she oversaw casting for all ABC Studios and ABC Signature pilots and primetime series, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Scandal,” “Black-Ish” and “High Fidelity.” Preceding that, Lyon oversaw the casting of “Ugly Betty” and the multi-Emmy Award and Golden Globe® Award-winning “Modern Family.” In addition, Lyon helped spearhead all aspects of ABC’s domestic, global and digital initiatives that identified, developed and mentored talent from around the world.
Prior to joining Disney|ABC Television, Lyon was vice president of casting and talent at the WB Network, where she oversaw the casting of primetime series, including “Dawson’s Creek,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Felicity,” “Gilmore Girls” and “Supernatural.”
Lyon has been honored as a “Powerful and Influential Latino in the Entertainment Industry” five times by The Imagen Foundation and was recently inducted into their Influential Latinos in Media Hall of Fame. Additionally, Lyon served on the advisory board for the NICA Foundation, an initiative to elevate rural communities in Central America, and has volunteered for Minds Matter and the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications.
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Tiffany Smith-Anoa'i
CBS Entertainment
January 2022
Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i was named Executive Vice President, Entertainment Diversity & Inclusion, Paramount, in July 2020.
In this role, Tiffany leads entertainment-focused diversity and inclusion initiatives across CBS Entertainment, Showtime, Media Networks and Paramount Pictures. She also oversees the company’s creative development programs, talent initiatives and outreach to agencies, multicultural coalitions, guilds and other key inclusion stakeholders, which was part of her most recent role at CBS.
Prior to her current Paramount position, Smith-Anoa’i was Executive Vice President, Entertainment Diversity, Inclusion & Communications for CBS Entertainment. An innovator in both entertainment publicity and diversity, Tiffany was promoted to that position in 2016 and charged with shepherding the entertainment division’s diversity and inclusion initiatives and supporting communication efforts. She developed new programs to recruit, nurture and hire inclusive talent to work in front of and behind the camera and helped launch several notable careers.
In 2015, Tiffany was appointed Senior Vice President of Entertainment Diversity & Communications after serving as Vice President, Entertainment Diversity & Communications, CBS Entertainment since 2009. In these roles, Smith-Anoa’i created and launched “CBS On Tour,” a community outreach program in which executives visit schools to educate and encourage students interested in entertainment careers; expanded the writer selection process for “The CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase”; implemented an annual symposium with casting directors to strategize on best practices to diversify the casting process; partnered with GLAAD to host learning workshops; and joined forces with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media to encourage a variety of acting and industry roles for women.
In February 2018, Smith-Anoa’i co-founded CBS EYE Speak, a program designed to promote female empowerment and help forge a path of growth and opportunity for women, both inside and outside of the company. Since its inception, the group has held several events, including screenings, panels and fireside chats featuring some of the strongest female voices in the industry.
Smith-Anoa’i first joined CBS Entertainment in 2000 as a senior publicist for primetime series and specials.
Prior to CBS, Smith-Anoa’i was responsible for all aspects of publicity and promotions for Image Public Relations. Among her many projects, she organized the global press outreach for “Sinbad’s Soul Music Festival.” Preceding her role at Image, Smith-Anoa’i worked for NIKE, Inc. where she launched their NIKETOWN stores in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
Smith-Anoa’i’s community service and charity work includes the Human Rights Campaign, #SeeHer, ADCOLOR, Easterseals Disability Challenge, Young Storytellers, The Unusual Suspects and Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated. She serves as a board member for ColorComm, Big Sunday, The Muslim Public Affairs Council and on the business advisory board for the National Hispanic Media Coalition. She is also a Board of Trustee member for The Archer School for Girls. In 2019 Smith-Anoa’i received the Adweek + ADCOLOR Champions Award for her commitment to growing and promoting diversity and inclusion within and outside the walls of CBS Entertainment.
Smith-Anoa’i maintains a close relationship with her alma mater, Howard University, where she graduated with honors from the School of Communications. In 2013, Howard University presented her with the “Global Visionary Award” for Outstanding Leadership in Diversity and Communications.
January 2022
Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i was named Executive Vice President, Entertainment Diversity & Inclusion, Paramount, in July 2020.
In this role, Tiffany leads entertainment-focused diversity and inclusion initiatives across CBS Entertainment, Showtime, Media Networks and Paramount Pictures. She also oversees the company’s creative development programs, talent initiatives and outreach to agencies, multicultural coalitions, guilds and other key inclusion stakeholders, which was part of her most recent role at CBS.
Prior to her current Paramount position, Smith-Anoa’i was Executive Vice President, Entertainment Diversity, Inclusion & Communications for CBS Entertainment. An innovator in both entertainment publicity and diversity, Tiffany was promoted to that position in 2016 and charged with shepherding the entertainment division’s diversity and inclusion initiatives and supporting communication efforts. She developed new programs to recruit, nurture and hire inclusive talent to work in front of and behind the camera and helped launch several notable careers.
In 2015, Tiffany was appointed Senior Vice President of Entertainment Diversity & Communications after serving as Vice President, Entertainment Diversity & Communications, CBS Entertainment since 2009. In these roles, Smith-Anoa’i created and launched “CBS On Tour,” a community outreach program in which executives visit schools to educate and encourage students interested in entertainment careers; expanded the writer selection process for “The CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase”; implemented an annual symposium with casting directors to strategize on best practices to diversify the casting process; partnered with GLAAD to host learning workshops; and joined forces with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media to encourage a variety of acting and industry roles for women.
In February 2018, Smith-Anoa’i co-founded CBS EYE Speak, a program designed to promote female empowerment and help forge a path of growth and opportunity for women, both inside and outside of the company. Since its inception, the group has held several events, including screenings, panels and fireside chats featuring some of the strongest female voices in the industry.
Smith-Anoa’i first joined CBS Entertainment in 2000 as a senior publicist for primetime series and specials.
Prior to CBS, Smith-Anoa’i was responsible for all aspects of publicity and promotions for Image Public Relations. Among her many projects, she organized the global press outreach for “Sinbad’s Soul Music Festival.” Preceding her role at Image, Smith-Anoa’i worked for NIKE, Inc. where she launched their NIKETOWN stores in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
Smith-Anoa’i’s community service and charity work includes the Human Rights Campaign, #SeeHer, ADCOLOR, Easterseals Disability Challenge, Young Storytellers, The Unusual Suspects and Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated. She serves as a board member for ColorComm, Big Sunday, The Muslim Public Affairs Council and on the business advisory board for the National Hispanic Media Coalition. She is also a Board of Trustee member for The Archer School for Girls. In 2019 Smith-Anoa’i received the Adweek + ADCOLOR Champions Award for her commitment to growing and promoting diversity and inclusion within and outside the walls of CBS Entertainment.
Smith-Anoa’i maintains a close relationship with her alma mater, Howard University, where she graduated with honors from the School of Communications. In 2013, Howard University presented her with the “Global Visionary Award” for Outstanding Leadership in Diversity and Communications.
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Jack Sussman
CBS Entertainment
December 2022
Jack Sussman was promoted to executive vice president of specials, music and live events at CBS Entertainment in March 2006. He added responsibility for all alternative programming in 2020. He reports to Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment.
In his position, Sussman, who has been head of CBS Specials since 1998, serves as the Network’s chief liaison to the music industry, working with managers, recording artists, record labels and music suppliers to identify new and established performers whose music or personal appearances can be integrated into the Network’s primetime series, movies, specials and live events. Sussman also works with CBS’ interactive division to identify music-related content for wireless and the internet.
Sussman has long overseen the Network’s blue-chip events and specials, such as the Grammy Awards, the Tony Awards and the Kennedy Center Honors, as well as CBS’ presentations of the Country Music Awards and “A Home for the Holidays.” Recently, he supervised the Emmy Award-winning special “Adele One Night Only” and the Emmy Award nominated special “One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga.” Sussman has also been responsible for supervising live entertainment programming, such as the SURVIVOR and BIG BROTHER finales and reunion specials. In his newly expanded role, he is responsible for supervising both of those series, along with other CBS hits, such as TOUGH AS NAILS, UNDERCOVER BOSS and long-running THE AMAZING RACE.
While at CBS, Sussman has spearheaded successful specials featuring some of contemporary music’s top stars in their first network television special, including Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Ricky Martin, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, Elton John, Tina Turner, “The Beatles: The Night That Changed America,” “Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life – An All-Star Tribute,” “Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees,” “Bruno Mars: 24K Magic Live at the Apollo” and the top-rated “Motown 60: A Grammy Celebration.”
He has also been responsible for some of CBS’ highest-rated and most critically acclaimed specials, including “The Carol Burnett Show: Show Stoppers,” which was seen by more than 30 million viewers, “Michael Jackson: 30thAnniversary Special,” “I Love Lucy 50thAnniversary Special,” “CBS at 75” and “Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special.” He also supervised the editing and colorization of newly colorized classic episodes of “I Love Lucy” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show.”
Sussman joined CBS in August 1998 as vice president of specials from Cinecanal, where he led the programming and creative services reorganization of the Latin American movie channel that is jointly owned by Universal, Paramount, MGM and FOX. He was promoted to senior vice president of specials in 2000.
From 1996-1997, Sussman was vice president, head of programming for MTV Latin America, responsible for production and original programming, development, music programming, scheduling, talent and artist relations, news and on-air promotion.
Prior to that, he served as vice president of production and original programming at VH1 from 1992-1995, where he developed and produced new series and specials. Sussman’s background also includes positions at CNN and NBC News.
As an executive producer/producer, his credits include “The VH1 Honors,” the live concert series “Centerstage,” “Paul McCartney at the Hollywood Bowl,” “MTV Latin America: MTV Unplugged,” “Conversations with the Rolling Stones,” “Amnesty International Conspiracy of Hope Tour” and “Stand Up Spotlight.”
Sussman serves on the executive committee of the Cedars Sinai Sports Spectacular and is on the board of the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
Sussman is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill with a B.A. in radio, television and motion pictures.
December 2022
Jack Sussman was promoted to executive vice president of specials, music and live events at CBS Entertainment in March 2006. He added responsibility for all alternative programming in 2020. He reports to Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment.
In his position, Sussman, who has been head of CBS Specials since 1998, serves as the Network’s chief liaison to the music industry, working with managers, recording artists, record labels and music suppliers to identify new and established performers whose music or personal appearances can be integrated into the Network’s primetime series, movies, specials and live events. Sussman also works with CBS’ interactive division to identify music-related content for wireless and the internet.
Sussman has long overseen the Network’s blue-chip events and specials, such as the Grammy Awards, the Tony Awards and the Kennedy Center Honors, as well as CBS’ presentations of the Country Music Awards and “A Home for the Holidays.” Recently, he supervised the Emmy Award-winning special “Adele One Night Only” and the Emmy Award nominated special “One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga.” Sussman has also been responsible for supervising live entertainment programming, such as the SURVIVOR and BIG BROTHER finales and reunion specials. In his newly expanded role, he is responsible for supervising both of those series, along with other CBS hits, such as TOUGH AS NAILS, UNDERCOVER BOSS and long-running THE AMAZING RACE.
While at CBS, Sussman has spearheaded successful specials featuring some of contemporary music’s top stars in their first network television special, including Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Ricky Martin, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, Elton John, Tina Turner, “The Beatles: The Night That Changed America,” “Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life – An All-Star Tribute,” “Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees,” “Bruno Mars: 24K Magic Live at the Apollo” and the top-rated “Motown 60: A Grammy Celebration.”
He has also been responsible for some of CBS’ highest-rated and most critically acclaimed specials, including “The Carol Burnett Show: Show Stoppers,” which was seen by more than 30 million viewers, “Michael Jackson: 30thAnniversary Special,” “I Love Lucy 50thAnniversary Special,” “CBS at 75” and “Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special.” He also supervised the editing and colorization of newly colorized classic episodes of “I Love Lucy” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show.”
Sussman joined CBS in August 1998 as vice president of specials from Cinecanal, where he led the programming and creative services reorganization of the Latin American movie channel that is jointly owned by Universal, Paramount, MGM and FOX. He was promoted to senior vice president of specials in 2000.
From 1996-1997, Sussman was vice president, head of programming for MTV Latin America, responsible for production and original programming, development, music programming, scheduling, talent and artist relations, news and on-air promotion.
Prior to that, he served as vice president of production and original programming at VH1 from 1992-1995, where he developed and produced new series and specials. Sussman’s background also includes positions at CNN and NBC News.
As an executive producer/producer, his credits include “The VH1 Honors,” the live concert series “Centerstage,” “Paul McCartney at the Hollywood Bowl,” “MTV Latin America: MTV Unplugged,” “Conversations with the Rolling Stones,” “Amnesty International Conspiracy of Hope Tour” and “Stand Up Spotlight.”
Sussman serves on the executive committee of the Cedars Sinai Sports Spectacular and is on the board of the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
Sussman is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill with a B.A. in radio, television and motion pictures.
CBS Entertainment Executives
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Paramount+
Brand Assets
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Tom Ryan
Paramount+
Tom Ryan is the President and CEO, Streaming of Paramount Global, where he oversees the company's global direct-to-consumer division that spans paid and free streaming – including, among other businesses, Paramount+ and Pluto TV.
Under Tom’s leadership, Paramount+ has been the fastest-growing premium subscription streaming service in the United States since its launch in March 2021. Scaling the service from an underdog to an industry leader, Paramount+ has become a top-five streamer in the marketplace with 61 million subscribers worldwide.
Tom pioneered and popularized the Free Ad-supported Streaming Television (FAST) industry as co-founder and CEO of Pluto TV, which he launched in 2014 and scaled to over $1 billion in annual revenue by 2021. Pluto TV is a FAST category leader globally and the first such service to be listed in Nielsen's television consumption tracker "The Gauge," by achieving 1% of all TV viewing in the U.S.
Earlier in his career, Tom served as CEO of the crowdsourced design marketplace Threadless and SVP of Digital Strategy at EMI Music, as well as co-founder of the early digital music service Cductive (which was acquired by eMusic). He holds an AB from Dartmouth College and an MBA from INSEAD in France.
Tom Ryan is the President and CEO, Streaming of Paramount Global, where he oversees the company's global direct-to-consumer division that spans paid and free streaming – including, among other businesses, Paramount+ and Pluto TV.
Under Tom’s leadership, Paramount+ has been the fastest-growing premium subscription streaming service in the United States since its launch in March 2021. Scaling the service from an underdog to an industry leader, Paramount+ has become a top-five streamer in the marketplace with 61 million subscribers worldwide.
Tom pioneered and popularized the Free Ad-supported Streaming Television (FAST) industry as co-founder and CEO of Pluto TV, which he launched in 2014 and scaled to over $1 billion in annual revenue by 2021. Pluto TV is a FAST category leader globally and the first such service to be listed in Nielsen's television consumption tracker "The Gauge," by achieving 1% of all TV viewing in the U.S.
Earlier in his career, Tom served as CEO of the crowdsourced design marketplace Threadless and SVP of Digital Strategy at EMI Music, as well as co-founder of the early digital music service Cductive (which was acquired by eMusic). He holds an AB from Dartmouth College and an MBA from INSEAD in France.
Paramount+ Executives
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SHOWTIME
Brand Assets
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GARY S. LEVINE
SHOWTIME
Gary Levine serves as Senior Creative Advisor for Showtime Networks Inc.
Under his creative leadership, SHOWTIME has become an acclaimed source of distinctive and provocative series including: DEXTER, THE CHI, SHAMELESS, HOMELAND, BILLIONS, Sacha Baron Cohen’s WHO IS AMERICA, WEEDS, THE AFFAIR, RAY DONOVAN, NURSE JACKIE, EPISODES, THE L WORD, BLACK MONDAY, THE TUDORS, PENNY DREADFUL, CALIFORNICATION, THE CIRCUS, DESUS AND MERO, ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA, the return of TWIN PEAKS, YOUR HONOR, and YELLOWJACKETS.
Prior to joining Showtime Networks, Levine served as President of Icebox, a pioneering Internet entertainment programming company. Previously, Levine headed development at Warner Brothers Television, Witt-Thomas Productions and ABC (drama), resulting in several memorable primetime series including The West Wing, Blossom, and David Lynch’s original Twin Peaks.
Levine began his professional career in theatre and was a producer with New York’s Roundabout Theatre, The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre and served for five years as the Managing Director of the acclaimed Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Gary Levine serves as Senior Creative Advisor for Showtime Networks Inc.
Under his creative leadership, SHOWTIME has become an acclaimed source of distinctive and provocative series including: DEXTER, THE CHI, SHAMELESS, HOMELAND, BILLIONS, Sacha Baron Cohen’s WHO IS AMERICA, WEEDS, THE AFFAIR, RAY DONOVAN, NURSE JACKIE, EPISODES, THE L WORD, BLACK MONDAY, THE TUDORS, PENNY DREADFUL, CALIFORNICATION, THE CIRCUS, DESUS AND MERO, ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA, the return of TWIN PEAKS, YOUR HONOR, and YELLOWJACKETS.
Prior to joining Showtime Networks, Levine served as President of Icebox, a pioneering Internet entertainment programming company. Previously, Levine headed development at Warner Brothers Television, Witt-Thomas Productions and ABC (drama), resulting in several memorable primetime series including The West Wing, Blossom, and David Lynch’s original Twin Peaks.
Levine began his professional career in theatre and was a producer with New York’s Roundabout Theatre, The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre and served for five years as the Managing Director of the acclaimed Williamstown Theatre Festival.
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STEPHEN ESPINOZA
SHOWTIME
Stephen Espinoza serves asPresident, Sports and Event Programming, reporting directly to President And Chief Executive Officer, Showtime Networks Inc., David Nevins.
As head of SHOWTIME Sports, Espinoza is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the sports and event group, including developing and executing the overall strategy of the group and its pay-per-view unit, managing the network's relationships with distributors, talent and suppliers, and the acquisition and licensing of SHOWTIME and pay-per-view sports and event programming. The network's current hard-hitting sports programming includes SHOWTIME Championship Boxing®, ShoBox: The New Generation, Jim Rome on SHOWTIME, 60 Minutes Sports, and the Emmy® Award-winning INSIDE THE NFL.
Prior to joining SHOWTIME, Espinoza was a partner in the firm of Ziffren Brittenham LLP. At the firm, he specialized in representing athletes and sports personalities, including professional boxers Oscar De La Hoya and Mike Tyson, who generated a total of over $500 million in pay-per-view revenues under his representation. Espinoza has served as lead counsel for De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions since the formation of the company. Through his representation of Tyson, De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions, Espinoza has been directly involved in several of the highest-grossing pay-per-view boxing events in the history of the sport. Other notable former sports clients include former NFL star and current broadcaster Michael Strahan and mixed martial arts fighter Gina Carano.
During his tenure at Ziffren Brittenham, Espinoza also represented a variety of established and emerging performers and filmmakers, including actors Keanu Reeves, James Spader, Vanessa Hudgens and Kevin McHale, musical artists Alicia Keys, Eminem, Shakira and Snoop Dogg, writer/directors Tyler Perry and Matthew Vaughn, director Barry Sonnenfeld, and producers Scott Rudin and Gavin Polone, among many others.
Espinoza has extensive experience in structuring and negotiating distribution, financing, debt and equity arrangements for independent television and motion picture companies. He was personally responsible for closing over $100 million in debt and equity deals from 2009 to 2010. Some of his deals included Tyler Perry Studios in connection with the television series "House of Payne" and "Meet the Browns," Revolution and Cubevision in connection with the television series "Are We There Yet," and Everest Entertainment in connection with the motion pictures "127 Hours" and "Win-Win."
He began his legal career in the entertainment department of Greenberg, Glusker, Fields, Claman & Machtinger, where he was directly responsible for many of the firm's highest-profile accounts, including Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Joel Silver and Playboy TV International. Espinoza previously worked at the Law Offices of Steinberg & Moorad, one of the nation's preeminent sports law firms.
Espinoza earned a B.A. in Communication from Stanford University and received his J.D. from UCLA School of Law. An active community volunteer, he previously served as the Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Echo Park Boys and Girls Club, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA).
He is based in Showtime Networks' New York offices.
Stephen Espinoza serves asPresident, Sports and Event Programming, reporting directly to President And Chief Executive Officer, Showtime Networks Inc., David Nevins.
As head of SHOWTIME Sports, Espinoza is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the sports and event group, including developing and executing the overall strategy of the group and its pay-per-view unit, managing the network's relationships with distributors, talent and suppliers, and the acquisition and licensing of SHOWTIME and pay-per-view sports and event programming. The network's current hard-hitting sports programming includes SHOWTIME Championship Boxing®, ShoBox: The New Generation, Jim Rome on SHOWTIME, 60 Minutes Sports, and the Emmy® Award-winning INSIDE THE NFL.
Prior to joining SHOWTIME, Espinoza was a partner in the firm of Ziffren Brittenham LLP. At the firm, he specialized in representing athletes and sports personalities, including professional boxers Oscar De La Hoya and Mike Tyson, who generated a total of over $500 million in pay-per-view revenues under his representation. Espinoza has served as lead counsel for De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions since the formation of the company. Through his representation of Tyson, De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions, Espinoza has been directly involved in several of the highest-grossing pay-per-view boxing events in the history of the sport. Other notable former sports clients include former NFL star and current broadcaster Michael Strahan and mixed martial arts fighter Gina Carano.
During his tenure at Ziffren Brittenham, Espinoza also represented a variety of established and emerging performers and filmmakers, including actors Keanu Reeves, James Spader, Vanessa Hudgens and Kevin McHale, musical artists Alicia Keys, Eminem, Shakira and Snoop Dogg, writer/directors Tyler Perry and Matthew Vaughn, director Barry Sonnenfeld, and producers Scott Rudin and Gavin Polone, among many others.
Espinoza has extensive experience in structuring and negotiating distribution, financing, debt and equity arrangements for independent television and motion picture companies. He was personally responsible for closing over $100 million in debt and equity deals from 2009 to 2010. Some of his deals included Tyler Perry Studios in connection with the television series "House of Payne" and "Meet the Browns," Revolution and Cubevision in connection with the television series "Are We There Yet," and Everest Entertainment in connection with the motion pictures "127 Hours" and "Win-Win."
He began his legal career in the entertainment department of Greenberg, Glusker, Fields, Claman & Machtinger, where he was directly responsible for many of the firm's highest-profile accounts, including Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Joel Silver and Playboy TV International. Espinoza previously worked at the Law Offices of Steinberg & Moorad, one of the nation's preeminent sports law firms.
Espinoza earned a B.A. in Communication from Stanford University and received his J.D. from UCLA School of Law. An active community volunteer, he previously served as the Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Echo Park Boys and Girls Club, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA).
He is based in Showtime Networks' New York offices.
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ERIN CALHOUN
SHOWTIME
Erin Calhoun serves as Executive Vice President of Communications for Paramount Streaming, SHOWTIME and Cross-Company Publicity. She is responsible for leading communications for the integrated Paramount streaming team, which includes Paramount+, Pluto TV and SHOWTIME, overseeing programming publicity, media and talent relations, events, photography, awards, film festivals, philanthropy, sports and corporate branding. Calhoun also has oversight of cross-company publicity, with a focus on planning and elevating announcements that showcase the Paramount Global multiplatform strategy.
Most recently, she was Executive Vice President of Communications for both SHOWTIME and Paramount Television Studios (PTVS). Calhoun joined SHOWTIME in 2017 as Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications where she was responsible for corporate communications initiatives supporting marketing, digital media, research, consumer products, distributor relations and new business development, as well as the network’s stand-alone streaming service. She also managed long-range communications strategies to raise the profile of SHOWTIME and its executives.
Calhoun previously served as Vice President of Corporate Communications for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, where she managed trade and business strategies and internal communications for USA Network, SYFY and Chiller. In her role, she oversaw communications for the networks’ marketing and digital initiatives, ad sales, corporate social responsibility and business development. She also provided executive support for speaking engagements and industry events.
Prior to joining NBC, Calhoun worked for six years at Discovery Communications, where as Vice President of Communications she performed similar corporate PR functions while managing communications teams in both New York and Silver Spring, Maryland. Previously, she spent 10 years as an independent consultant for various clients including TNT, TBS, Disney Channel, Discovery and GSN (Game Show Network) supporting their original films and programs. Before that, Calhoun worked at TNT for three years as a Unit Publicist and Press Project Manager, overseeing unit publicity for TNT original films. Calhoun began her career at The Today Show as an Executive Assistant and Talent Coordinator.
Calhoun is a graduate of Texas Tech University.
Erin Calhoun serves as Executive Vice President of Communications for Paramount Streaming, SHOWTIME and Cross-Company Publicity. She is responsible for leading communications for the integrated Paramount streaming team, which includes Paramount+, Pluto TV and SHOWTIME, overseeing programming publicity, media and talent relations, events, photography, awards, film festivals, philanthropy, sports and corporate branding. Calhoun also has oversight of cross-company publicity, with a focus on planning and elevating announcements that showcase the Paramount Global multiplatform strategy.
Most recently, she was Executive Vice President of Communications for both SHOWTIME and Paramount Television Studios (PTVS). Calhoun joined SHOWTIME in 2017 as Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications where she was responsible for corporate communications initiatives supporting marketing, digital media, research, consumer products, distributor relations and new business development, as well as the network’s stand-alone streaming service. She also managed long-range communications strategies to raise the profile of SHOWTIME and its executives.
Calhoun previously served as Vice President of Corporate Communications for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, where she managed trade and business strategies and internal communications for USA Network, SYFY and Chiller. In her role, she oversaw communications for the networks’ marketing and digital initiatives, ad sales, corporate social responsibility and business development. She also provided executive support for speaking engagements and industry events.
Prior to joining NBC, Calhoun worked for six years at Discovery Communications, where as Vice President of Communications she performed similar corporate PR functions while managing communications teams in both New York and Silver Spring, Maryland. Previously, she spent 10 years as an independent consultant for various clients including TNT, TBS, Disney Channel, Discovery and GSN (Game Show Network) supporting their original films and programs. Before that, Calhoun worked at TNT for three years as a Unit Publicist and Press Project Manager, overseeing unit publicity for TNT original films. Calhoun began her career at The Today Show as an Executive Assistant and Talent Coordinator.
Calhoun is a graduate of Texas Tech University.
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MICHAEL ENGLEMAN
SHOWTIME
Michael Engleman joined Showtime Networks Inc as Chief Marketing Officer in July 2019. Engleman oversees the network’s marketing, creative advertising and digital media divisions, including consumer and distribution marketing, promotions and media. He also manages day-to-day operations of digital platform marketing, broadband, mobile, emerging platform initiatives and multiplatform content for Showtime Networks. He is based in Los Angeles but works bi-coastally.
Prior to joining Showtime, Engleman served as Chief Marketing Officer for TBS and TNT, where he was responsible for overseeing all branding and marketing initiatives – including social and digital content – in support of those networks, as well as the creation of a new content marketing group designed to maximize opportunities presented by a fast-changing media landscape. He also worked hand in hand with the networks' development, programming, ad sales, research and publicity teams to define and execute key entertainment business strategies and initiatives.
Over the past three years, Engleman helped launch several prominent series, including The Alienist, The Last O.G., Claws, Drop the Mic, Animal Kingdom and Full Frontal. In the digital space, he supervised product development and platform management of a suite of more than 20 streaming products for TBS/TNT. He joined Turner in 2016 as Executive Vice President of Entertainment Marketing and Brand Innovation, after having served as Executive Vice President, Marketing, Digital and Global Brand Strategy for Syfy and Chiller, where he oversaw U.S. branding and marketing activities as well as Syfy’s expansion in 87 countries.
Michael Engleman joined Showtime Networks Inc as Chief Marketing Officer in July 2019. Engleman oversees the network’s marketing, creative advertising and digital media divisions, including consumer and distribution marketing, promotions and media. He also manages day-to-day operations of digital platform marketing, broadband, mobile, emerging platform initiatives and multiplatform content for Showtime Networks. He is based in Los Angeles but works bi-coastally.
Prior to joining Showtime, Engleman served as Chief Marketing Officer for TBS and TNT, where he was responsible for overseeing all branding and marketing initiatives – including social and digital content – in support of those networks, as well as the creation of a new content marketing group designed to maximize opportunities presented by a fast-changing media landscape. He also worked hand in hand with the networks' development, programming, ad sales, research and publicity teams to define and execute key entertainment business strategies and initiatives.
Over the past three years, Engleman helped launch several prominent series, including The Alienist, The Last O.G., Claws, Drop the Mic, Animal Kingdom and Full Frontal. In the digital space, he supervised product development and platform management of a suite of more than 20 streaming products for TBS/TNT. He joined Turner in 2016 as Executive Vice President of Entertainment Marketing and Brand Innovation, after having served as Executive Vice President, Marketing, Digital and Global Brand Strategy for Syfy and Chiller, where he oversaw U.S. branding and marketing activities as well as Syfy’s expansion in 87 countries.
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PUJA VOHRA
SHOWTIME
Puja Vohra is Executive Vice President, Marketing and Strategy, for Showtime Networks, Inc. In her role, Vohra oversees the marketing of all SHOWTIME original programming, including award-winning series such as BILLIONS, THE CHI, BLACK MONDAY, YOUR HONOR, THE GOOD LORD BIRD and THE L WORD: GENERATION Q. She also oversees its full-funnel media efforts, promotions, digital strategy and social media, as well as the marketing strategy and analytics.
Vohra is a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience working with leading brands around the world. Prior to SHOWTIME she was most recently CMO for BSE Global, where she directed marketing, creative and digital efforts for BSE Global properties, including the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center.
Prior to that, she served as Executive Vice President of Marketing and Digital for truTV, a division of Warner Media. In this role, she was responsible for all on- and off-air marketing campaigns for the network’s slate of programming, including the Emmy® Award-nominated At Home with Amy Sedaris, I’m Sorry, Impractical Jokers, Adam Ruins Everything and Tacoma FD.
Vohra joined truTV in March 2014 after serving as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Oxygen Media, where she managed the network’s consumer and ad sales marketing teams. She also previously had senior consumer and sales marketing roles at Bravo Media, making a splash with several successful launches including early seasons of Project Runway, Top Chef and The Real Housewives franchise, as well as the network’s first “Affluencers” trade campaign.
Prior to her time in the US, Vohra held marketing roles at Seagram India and MTV India.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Delhi University and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. She’s been a speaker on several high-profile industry panels including Advertising Week, Variety Massive, NAB, TVOT and Promax. Under her direction, her teams have been the recipients of several awards, including a CLIO Grand, a Shorty, several CLIOs and Promax Awards for breakthrough social response and marketing campaigns. Vohra lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, Laxman, their 12 year-old daughter, Mira, and their mutt, Bailey. If she could, she would eat PB&J’s from Sarabeth’s every day.
Puja Vohra is Executive Vice President, Marketing and Strategy, for Showtime Networks, Inc. In her role, Vohra oversees the marketing of all SHOWTIME original programming, including award-winning series such as BILLIONS, THE CHI, BLACK MONDAY, YOUR HONOR, THE GOOD LORD BIRD and THE L WORD: GENERATION Q. She also oversees its full-funnel media efforts, promotions, digital strategy and social media, as well as the marketing strategy and analytics.
Vohra is a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience working with leading brands around the world. Prior to SHOWTIME she was most recently CMO for BSE Global, where she directed marketing, creative and digital efforts for BSE Global properties, including the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center.
Prior to that, she served as Executive Vice President of Marketing and Digital for truTV, a division of Warner Media. In this role, she was responsible for all on- and off-air marketing campaigns for the network’s slate of programming, including the Emmy® Award-nominated At Home with Amy Sedaris, I’m Sorry, Impractical Jokers, Adam Ruins Everything and Tacoma FD.
Vohra joined truTV in March 2014 after serving as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Oxygen Media, where she managed the network’s consumer and ad sales marketing teams. She also previously had senior consumer and sales marketing roles at Bravo Media, making a splash with several successful launches including early seasons of Project Runway, Top Chef and The Real Housewives franchise, as well as the network’s first “Affluencers” trade campaign.
Prior to her time in the US, Vohra held marketing roles at Seagram India and MTV India.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Delhi University and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. She’s been a speaker on several high-profile industry panels including Advertising Week, Variety Massive, NAB, TVOT and Promax. Under her direction, her teams have been the recipients of several awards, including a CLIO Grand, a Shorty, several CLIOs and Promax Awards for breakthrough social response and marketing campaigns. Vohra lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, Laxman, their 12 year-old daughter, Mira, and their mutt, Bailey. If she could, she would eat PB&J’s from Sarabeth’s every day.
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AMY ISRAEL
SHOWTIME
Amy Israel serves as Executive Vice President, Global Programming, Showtime Networks Inc., where she oversees the Original Programming Department and the development and production of all scripted series. She is responsible for the creative oversight of high-profile SHOWTIME original series, including THE GOOD LORD BIRD, BILLIONS, BLACK MONDAY, ON BECOMING A GOD IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, SMILF, MASTERS OF SEX, and the Golden Globe® winning series THE AFFAIR. In addition, Israel spearheads the network’s upcoming programming slate, which includes RIPLEY (written and directed by Steve Zaillian and starring Andrew Scott), FIRST LADIES (starring Viola Davis), AMERICAN RUST (created by Dan Futterman and starring Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney), THE AUTEUR ( directed by Taika Waititi and staring Jude Law) and THE CURSE (created by and starring Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie).
Prior to joining Showtime in 2011, Israel served as New Regency’s Executive Vice President of Production. Previously, she was Head of Production and Acquisitions at Paramount Vantage, where she oversaw the development and production of a number of award-winning films including The Coen Brother’s No Country For Old Men (winner of four Academy Awards®, including Best Picture), Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood (winner of two Academy Awards, including Best Actor), Sean Penn’s Into The Wild, Noah Baumbach’s Margot at the Wedding, Mike White’s Year of the Dog, Michael Winterbottom’s A Mighty Heart and Ed Zwick’s Defiance. She was also instrumental in the acquisition of Nannette Burstein’s American Teen and the Academy Award-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth.
Previous to Paramount Vantage, Israel was co-head of Acquisitions and Co-Production at Miramax Films, where she was responsible for the acquisition and co-production of over 60 movies, including the seminal films Life Is Beautiful (winner of three Academy Awards), The Others, Academy Award winner Il Postino, Kids, Swingers, Flirting with Disaster, Academy Award winner Sling Blade, Smoke Signals, Chunking Express, Clerks and Trainspotting, among others.
As a producer, Israel executive produced Andrew Niccol’s In Time, which starred Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried, and Peter Chelsom’s Shall We Dance with Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez. She also produced Hysterical Blindness for HBO, for which Uma Thurman won a Golden Globe, and Griffin and Phoenix. Israel is a member of the Producer’s Guild.
Israel is a graduate of Oberlin College, with a B.A. in Art History. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, RD Robb, and her two children.
Amy Israel serves as Executive Vice President, Global Programming, Showtime Networks Inc., where she oversees the Original Programming Department and the development and production of all scripted series. She is responsible for the creative oversight of high-profile SHOWTIME original series, including THE GOOD LORD BIRD, BILLIONS, BLACK MONDAY, ON BECOMING A GOD IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, SMILF, MASTERS OF SEX, and the Golden Globe® winning series THE AFFAIR. In addition, Israel spearheads the network’s upcoming programming slate, which includes RIPLEY (written and directed by Steve Zaillian and starring Andrew Scott), FIRST LADIES (starring Viola Davis), AMERICAN RUST (created by Dan Futterman and starring Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney), THE AUTEUR ( directed by Taika Waititi and staring Jude Law) and THE CURSE (created by and starring Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie).
Prior to joining Showtime in 2011, Israel served as New Regency’s Executive Vice President of Production. Previously, she was Head of Production and Acquisitions at Paramount Vantage, where she oversaw the development and production of a number of award-winning films including The Coen Brother’s No Country For Old Men (winner of four Academy Awards®, including Best Picture), Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood (winner of two Academy Awards, including Best Actor), Sean Penn’s Into The Wild, Noah Baumbach’s Margot at the Wedding, Mike White’s Year of the Dog, Michael Winterbottom’s A Mighty Heart and Ed Zwick’s Defiance. She was also instrumental in the acquisition of Nannette Burstein’s American Teen and the Academy Award-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth.
Previous to Paramount Vantage, Israel was co-head of Acquisitions and Co-Production at Miramax Films, where she was responsible for the acquisition and co-production of over 60 movies, including the seminal films Life Is Beautiful (winner of three Academy Awards), The Others, Academy Award winner Il Postino, Kids, Swingers, Flirting with Disaster, Academy Award winner Sling Blade, Smoke Signals, Chunking Express, Clerks and Trainspotting, among others.
As a producer, Israel executive produced Andrew Niccol’s In Time, which starred Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried, and Peter Chelsom’s Shall We Dance with Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez. She also produced Hysterical Blindness for HBO, for which Uma Thurman won a Golden Globe, and Griffin and Phoenix. Israel is a member of the Producer’s Guild.
Israel is a graduate of Oberlin College, with a B.A. in Art History. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, RD Robb, and her two children.
SHOWTIME Executives
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CBS Sports
Brand Assets
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Sean McManus
CBS Sports
Sean McManus was named Chairman, CBS Sports, in February 2011 overseeing all sports properties across all CBS Sports operations. He also serves as Executive Producer of THE NFL ON CBS.
McManus served concurrently as President, CBS News and Sports for more than five years prior to being named Chairman. He was named President, CBS Sports, in November 1996 and President, CBS News, in October 2005 and is only the second person to hold both Division titles simultaneously; Roone Arledge held both at ABC from 1977-86.
As president of CBS Sports, McManus led the CBS Corporation’s efforts in acquiring broadcast rights to the National Football League in January 1998, and in November 2004 re-negotiated the contract to retain the rights for CBS until 2011. In May 2009, McManus re-negotiated the NFL contract to retain the rights for CBS through the 2013-14 season which included CBS broadcasting Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans in 2013. In December 2011, McManus re-negotiated a nine-year deal to retain the NFL broadcast rights through the 2022 season. And in March 2021, he re-negotiated a new 11-year multi-platform rights agreement with the NFL through the 2033 season. In February 2014, McManus negotiated the rights for the NFL’s new Thursday Night Football package for the 2014 season. In January 2015, he again successfully negotiated a deal to continue the partnership for 2015, and again in February 2016, they renewed the partnership for 2016 and 2017. In February 2021, McManus oversaw the production of Super Bowl LV from Tampa during an unprecedented season affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In February 2019, McManus oversaw the year-long Corporation-wide coverage of Super Bowl LIII from Atlanta. And in February 2016, he also oversaw Corporation-wide coverage of Super Bowl 50, featuring shows from nine CBS divisions with week-long, around-the-clock coverage from San Francisco and the Bay Area across multiple platforms including broadcast, cable and premium television, radio and digital leading up to exclusive game coverage of Super Bowl 50. Much of the coverage originated from Super Bowl City at the foot of Market Street in San Francisco, which featured multiple sets, a football field and fan activation zone. On February 7, 2016, CBS Sports’ broadcast of Super Bowl 50 between Denver and Carolina was watched in all-or-part by a record 167 million viewers, making it the most-watched single broadcast in television history by that measure at the time. McManus also oversaw the launch of a comprehensive redesign of CBS Sports’ iconic logo that implemented a new on-air graphics look for CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network which debuted as part of the Network’s Super Bowl Week programming and Super Bowl 50. In February 2013, he also oversaw unprecedented Super Bowl coverage when the Network established CBS SUPER BOWL PARK at Jackson Square as New Orleans’ home to shows from nine CBS divisions across multiple platforms leading up to Super Bowl XLVII. On February 7, 2010, CBS Sports’ broadcast of Super Bowl XLIV between New Orleans and Indianapolis was watched by 106.5 million viewers making it the most-watched program in television history at the time.
McManus is a 20-time Emmy Award-winner. In December 2016, he was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. In 2015, he was named to The Hollywood Reporter’s list of The 35 Most Powerful People in Media and also was honored with the Legacy Award at the Cynopsis Sports Media Awards. And in 2010, McManus was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.
During McManus' more than 27 years as Chairman and President of the Division, CBS Sports has become the year-round leader in network sports television. In November 1999, he led CBS to an unprecedented landmark agreement with the NCAA which extended the exclusive over-the-air broadcast rights, as well as rights to the Internet, marketing and corporate sponsorship, merchandising, licensing, cable television, radio, satellite, digital and home video to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship until 2014. The 11-year pact was the most comprehensive sports agreement in history. In April 2010, he negotiated a landmark deal, partnering with Turner Broadcasting, to extend the rights to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship through 2024. The $10.8 billion deal is the most extensive and far-reaching network-cable sports deal ever created. And in April 2016, McManus, in partnership with Turner Broadcasting, negotiated with the NCAA an eight-year extension of its multimedia rights agreement for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship through 2032.
In August 2022, McManus secured a seven-year agreement with the Big Ten for football and basketball with CBS carrying the football championship games in 2024 and 2028. Additionally in August 2022, McManus reached an historic six-year agreement with the UEFA Champions League to extend its broadcast rights through the 2029-30 season. In March 2020, McManus reached a new multi-year agreement with the PGA TOUR to extend its broadcast rights through 2030 and to remain the TOUR’s dominant broadcast partner. He also extended broadcast rights to the PGA Championship in October 2018 with an historic, 11-year comprehensive multi-media rights agreement with the PGA of America and ESPN to provide live wall-to-wall, full field, 72-hole coverage of the PGA Championship beginning in 2020. Additionally, beginning in 2020, McManus secured a brand new deal with UEFA Champions League, making CBS Sports the home for the most prestigious club soccer tournament in the world. McManus negotiated CBS' agreement with the United States Tennis Association to broadcast the U.S. Open through 2014, extended the agreement with the Big Ten to broadcast the conference's basketball games through the 2016-17, and further extended the deal through the 2022-23 season, and extended the Southeastern Conference (SEC) football and basketball agreements in another landmark deal, a 15-year extension, through the 2023-24 season. In May 2012, McManus oversaw the acquisition of broadcast rights for men’s college basketball games from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big 12 and Pac-12 Conferences through an agreement with ESPN.
McManus brought Tony Romo to CBS Sports to be the lead NFL ON CBS analyst in April 2017 right from the field, something that had never been done. Together with Jim Nantz, this NFL ON CBS announce team is considered the best in the industry and one of the best in history. In February 2020, McManus signed Romo to an unprecedented 10-year extension to remain at CBS until 2031.
In addition to Romo, McManus added Nate Burleson, and helped orchestrate Burleson joining CBS Mornings. Other recent on-air moves include naming Trevor Immelman lead golf analyst, promoting Ian Eagle to lead college basketball play-by-play announcer, adding Jay Wright as well as bringing in JJ Watt, Charles Davis, Matt Ryan and Jason McCourty to CBS Sports’ NFL roster. On the soccer front, McManus has also secured Kate Abdo, Thierry Henry and Clint Dempsey along with adding Dottie Pepper, Colt Knost, Frank Nobilo and Amanda Renner on golf. McManus has also extended deals for longtime voices, including Jim Nantz, James, Brown, Bill Cowher, Bill Raftery, Tracy Wolfson, Phil Simms, Boomer Esiason, Gary Danielson and Lesley Visser
In addition, McManus led CBS's efforts in securing a partnership with SportsLine USA that created CBS SportsLine, now known as CBSSports.com, one of the most successful sports Internet sites. In January 2008, McManus began overseeing CSTV’s cable and digital businesses initiating its re-branding as CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK, and further re-branding in April 2011 as CBS SPORTS NETWORK. In 2014, under his leadership, the network announced the first-ever, nationally-televised, all-female, weekly, hour-long, primetime sports show, WE NEED TO TALK on CBS Sports Network. In February 2018, McManus was instrumental in the launch of CBS SPORTS HQ, a 24-hour streaming sports news digital network in collaboration between CBS Sports and CBS Interactive that allows sports fans to watch live, full-day, anchored coverage of the day’s top sports storylines.
As president of CBS News, McManus restructured and re-tooled the Division, both in front of and behind the camera. Most notable on the on-air side was the April 2006 announcement that Katie Couric would join CBS News as the new anchor and managing editor of the CBS EVENING NEWS and a correspondent for 60 MINUTES. In December 2010, McManus also oversaw a major shift at THE EARLY SHOW, naming Erica Hill and Chris Wragge co-anchors, Jeff Glor news anchor and Marysol Castro, weather anchor. Also during his tenure, a new state-of-the-art newsroom at CBS News headquarters in New York and EVENING NEWS set were built, and a new primary control room was unveiled in July 2008.
McManus aggressively worked to build a strong corps of reporters, as well as developed the next generation of CBS News correspondents. He designated and assigned key beats including Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Lara Logan, Chief White House correspondent Chip Reid, Chief Investigative Correspondent Armen Keteyian, and National Correspondent Byron Pitts. McManus also added strong veteran correspondents to round out the group, including Jeff Greenfield and Dean Reynolds. He announced that CNN’s Anderson Cooper would contribute several stories to 60 MINUTES and CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta would contribute to the CBS EVENING NEWS.
McManus also led the Division through tragedy, when a car bomb attack in Baghdad on Memorial Day 2006 killed cameraman Paul Douglas and soundman James Brolan and critically injured correspondent Kimberly Dozier. In August 2009, McManus once again guided the Division through a difficult time, as correspondent Cami McCormick was seriously injured by an improvised exploding device (IED) in Afghanistan, in a blast that killed an American serviceman, Army Spc. Abraham Sherrod Wheeler III.
Under McManus, CBS News won more major awards than any other network’s news division, including one of electronic journalism’s most prestigious honors for an innovative, division-wide news initiative that he personally conceived and oversaw. “CBS REPORTS: Children of the Recession,” a months-long series of multi-platform reports on the effects of the dramatic economic downturn on America’s youth, won the coveted Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University award in January 2010. “Children of the Recession” also represented McManus’ reincarnation after four decades of the prestigious CBS REPORTS moniker, previously used for documentaries, as a Division-wide effort to offer comprehensive coverage of an issue across platforms and broadcasts. All told, the CBS News Division under McManus won three DuPont Awards, 19 Emmy Awards, four Peabody Awards and 29 RTDNA/Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Prior to his CBS Sports tenure, he was Senior Vice President of U.S. Television Sales and Programming for Trans World International, the television division of International Management Group, the world’s largest sports marketing firm (1987-96).
Before that, McManus was Vice President, Program Planning and Development at NBC Sports (1982-87), becoming the youngest vice president in the history of the network at the age of 27. He was responsible for all programming and was instrumental in the rights negotiations for the Olympics, the NFL, Wimbledon, the Breeders' Cup, the Orange Bowl, auto racing and NCAA college basketball. McManus joined NBC Sports in 1979 as an associate producer assigned to the NFL, Wimbledon, the PGA TOUR, "Sportsworld," auto racing and the Tour de France.
McManus began his career in 1977 at ABC Sports as a production assistant and associate producer.
McManus is the son of the late legendary sports broadcaster Jim McKay. He was graduated cum laude from Duke University in 1977 with a degree in English and History.
Sean McManus was named Chairman, CBS Sports, in February 2011 overseeing all sports properties across all CBS Sports operations. He also serves as Executive Producer of THE NFL ON CBS.
McManus served concurrently as President, CBS News and Sports for more than five years prior to being named Chairman. He was named President, CBS Sports, in November 1996 and President, CBS News, in October 2005 and is only the second person to hold both Division titles simultaneously; Roone Arledge held both at ABC from 1977-86.
As president of CBS Sports, McManus led the CBS Corporation’s efforts in acquiring broadcast rights to the National Football League in January 1998, and in November 2004 re-negotiated the contract to retain the rights for CBS until 2011. In May 2009, McManus re-negotiated the NFL contract to retain the rights for CBS through the 2013-14 season which included CBS broadcasting Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans in 2013. In December 2011, McManus re-negotiated a nine-year deal to retain the NFL broadcast rights through the 2022 season. And in March 2021, he re-negotiated a new 11-year multi-platform rights agreement with the NFL through the 2033 season. In February 2014, McManus negotiated the rights for the NFL’s new Thursday Night Football package for the 2014 season. In January 2015, he again successfully negotiated a deal to continue the partnership for 2015, and again in February 2016, they renewed the partnership for 2016 and 2017. In February 2021, McManus oversaw the production of Super Bowl LV from Tampa during an unprecedented season affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In February 2019, McManus oversaw the year-long Corporation-wide coverage of Super Bowl LIII from Atlanta. And in February 2016, he also oversaw Corporation-wide coverage of Super Bowl 50, featuring shows from nine CBS divisions with week-long, around-the-clock coverage from San Francisco and the Bay Area across multiple platforms including broadcast, cable and premium television, radio and digital leading up to exclusive game coverage of Super Bowl 50. Much of the coverage originated from Super Bowl City at the foot of Market Street in San Francisco, which featured multiple sets, a football field and fan activation zone. On February 7, 2016, CBS Sports’ broadcast of Super Bowl 50 between Denver and Carolina was watched in all-or-part by a record 167 million viewers, making it the most-watched single broadcast in television history by that measure at the time. McManus also oversaw the launch of a comprehensive redesign of CBS Sports’ iconic logo that implemented a new on-air graphics look for CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network which debuted as part of the Network’s Super Bowl Week programming and Super Bowl 50. In February 2013, he also oversaw unprecedented Super Bowl coverage when the Network established CBS SUPER BOWL PARK at Jackson Square as New Orleans’ home to shows from nine CBS divisions across multiple platforms leading up to Super Bowl XLVII. On February 7, 2010, CBS Sports’ broadcast of Super Bowl XLIV between New Orleans and Indianapolis was watched by 106.5 million viewers making it the most-watched program in television history at the time.
McManus is a 20-time Emmy Award-winner. In December 2016, he was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. In 2015, he was named to The Hollywood Reporter’s list of The 35 Most Powerful People in Media and also was honored with the Legacy Award at the Cynopsis Sports Media Awards. And in 2010, McManus was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.
During McManus' more than 27 years as Chairman and President of the Division, CBS Sports has become the year-round leader in network sports television. In November 1999, he led CBS to an unprecedented landmark agreement with the NCAA which extended the exclusive over-the-air broadcast rights, as well as rights to the Internet, marketing and corporate sponsorship, merchandising, licensing, cable television, radio, satellite, digital and home video to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship until 2014. The 11-year pact was the most comprehensive sports agreement in history. In April 2010, he negotiated a landmark deal, partnering with Turner Broadcasting, to extend the rights to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship through 2024. The $10.8 billion deal is the most extensive and far-reaching network-cable sports deal ever created. And in April 2016, McManus, in partnership with Turner Broadcasting, negotiated with the NCAA an eight-year extension of its multimedia rights agreement for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship through 2032.
In August 2022, McManus secured a seven-year agreement with the Big Ten for football and basketball with CBS carrying the football championship games in 2024 and 2028. Additionally in August 2022, McManus reached an historic six-year agreement with the UEFA Champions League to extend its broadcast rights through the 2029-30 season. In March 2020, McManus reached a new multi-year agreement with the PGA TOUR to extend its broadcast rights through 2030 and to remain the TOUR’s dominant broadcast partner. He also extended broadcast rights to the PGA Championship in October 2018 with an historic, 11-year comprehensive multi-media rights agreement with the PGA of America and ESPN to provide live wall-to-wall, full field, 72-hole coverage of the PGA Championship beginning in 2020. Additionally, beginning in 2020, McManus secured a brand new deal with UEFA Champions League, making CBS Sports the home for the most prestigious club soccer tournament in the world. McManus negotiated CBS' agreement with the United States Tennis Association to broadcast the U.S. Open through 2014, extended the agreement with the Big Ten to broadcast the conference's basketball games through the 2016-17, and further extended the deal through the 2022-23 season, and extended the Southeastern Conference (SEC) football and basketball agreements in another landmark deal, a 15-year extension, through the 2023-24 season. In May 2012, McManus oversaw the acquisition of broadcast rights for men’s college basketball games from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big 12 and Pac-12 Conferences through an agreement with ESPN.
McManus brought Tony Romo to CBS Sports to be the lead NFL ON CBS analyst in April 2017 right from the field, something that had never been done. Together with Jim Nantz, this NFL ON CBS announce team is considered the best in the industry and one of the best in history. In February 2020, McManus signed Romo to an unprecedented 10-year extension to remain at CBS until 2031.
In addition to Romo, McManus added Nate Burleson, and helped orchestrate Burleson joining CBS Mornings. Other recent on-air moves include naming Trevor Immelman lead golf analyst, promoting Ian Eagle to lead college basketball play-by-play announcer, adding Jay Wright as well as bringing in JJ Watt, Charles Davis, Matt Ryan and Jason McCourty to CBS Sports’ NFL roster. On the soccer front, McManus has also secured Kate Abdo, Thierry Henry and Clint Dempsey along with adding Dottie Pepper, Colt Knost, Frank Nobilo and Amanda Renner on golf. McManus has also extended deals for longtime voices, including Jim Nantz, James, Brown, Bill Cowher, Bill Raftery, Tracy Wolfson, Phil Simms, Boomer Esiason, Gary Danielson and Lesley Visser
In addition, McManus led CBS's efforts in securing a partnership with SportsLine USA that created CBS SportsLine, now known as CBSSports.com, one of the most successful sports Internet sites. In January 2008, McManus began overseeing CSTV’s cable and digital businesses initiating its re-branding as CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK, and further re-branding in April 2011 as CBS SPORTS NETWORK. In 2014, under his leadership, the network announced the first-ever, nationally-televised, all-female, weekly, hour-long, primetime sports show, WE NEED TO TALK on CBS Sports Network. In February 2018, McManus was instrumental in the launch of CBS SPORTS HQ, a 24-hour streaming sports news digital network in collaboration between CBS Sports and CBS Interactive that allows sports fans to watch live, full-day, anchored coverage of the day’s top sports storylines.
As president of CBS News, McManus restructured and re-tooled the Division, both in front of and behind the camera. Most notable on the on-air side was the April 2006 announcement that Katie Couric would join CBS News as the new anchor and managing editor of the CBS EVENING NEWS and a correspondent for 60 MINUTES. In December 2010, McManus also oversaw a major shift at THE EARLY SHOW, naming Erica Hill and Chris Wragge co-anchors, Jeff Glor news anchor and Marysol Castro, weather anchor. Also during his tenure, a new state-of-the-art newsroom at CBS News headquarters in New York and EVENING NEWS set were built, and a new primary control room was unveiled in July 2008.
McManus aggressively worked to build a strong corps of reporters, as well as developed the next generation of CBS News correspondents. He designated and assigned key beats including Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Lara Logan, Chief White House correspondent Chip Reid, Chief Investigative Correspondent Armen Keteyian, and National Correspondent Byron Pitts. McManus also added strong veteran correspondents to round out the group, including Jeff Greenfield and Dean Reynolds. He announced that CNN’s Anderson Cooper would contribute several stories to 60 MINUTES and CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta would contribute to the CBS EVENING NEWS.
McManus also led the Division through tragedy, when a car bomb attack in Baghdad on Memorial Day 2006 killed cameraman Paul Douglas and soundman James Brolan and critically injured correspondent Kimberly Dozier. In August 2009, McManus once again guided the Division through a difficult time, as correspondent Cami McCormick was seriously injured by an improvised exploding device (IED) in Afghanistan, in a blast that killed an American serviceman, Army Spc. Abraham Sherrod Wheeler III.
Under McManus, CBS News won more major awards than any other network’s news division, including one of electronic journalism’s most prestigious honors for an innovative, division-wide news initiative that he personally conceived and oversaw. “CBS REPORTS: Children of the Recession,” a months-long series of multi-platform reports on the effects of the dramatic economic downturn on America’s youth, won the coveted Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University award in January 2010. “Children of the Recession” also represented McManus’ reincarnation after four decades of the prestigious CBS REPORTS moniker, previously used for documentaries, as a Division-wide effort to offer comprehensive coverage of an issue across platforms and broadcasts. All told, the CBS News Division under McManus won three DuPont Awards, 19 Emmy Awards, four Peabody Awards and 29 RTDNA/Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Prior to his CBS Sports tenure, he was Senior Vice President of U.S. Television Sales and Programming for Trans World International, the television division of International Management Group, the world’s largest sports marketing firm (1987-96).
Before that, McManus was Vice President, Program Planning and Development at NBC Sports (1982-87), becoming the youngest vice president in the history of the network at the age of 27. He was responsible for all programming and was instrumental in the rights negotiations for the Olympics, the NFL, Wimbledon, the Breeders' Cup, the Orange Bowl, auto racing and NCAA college basketball. McManus joined NBC Sports in 1979 as an associate producer assigned to the NFL, Wimbledon, the PGA TOUR, "Sportsworld," auto racing and the Tour de France.
McManus began his career in 1977 at ABC Sports as a production assistant and associate producer.
McManus is the son of the late legendary sports broadcaster Jim McKay. He was graduated cum laude from Duke University in 1977 with a degree in English and History.
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David Berson
CBS Sports
In September 2023, CBS Sports announced that David Berson will become President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Sports effective April 2024, making him the seventh person ever to lead the storied brand. He is succeeding CBS Sports Chairman, Sean McManus in leading the Division.
Berson was named President, CBS Sports, in June 2013, at the time becoming the youngest ever to hold that title. He joined CBS Sports in January 2011 as Executive Vice President, CBS Sports, and President, CBS Sports Network, after 16 years at ESPN, where he started as an intern during college.
Berson oversees all aspects of CBS Sports across broadcast, cable, digital and streaming. He manages the relationships with CBS Sports’ partners, including the NFL, the Masters, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, NCAA, UEFA, Southeastern Conference and Big Ten Conference. Under Berson’s leadership, CBS Sports has more closely aligned and integrated all of its sports assets, including the CBS broadcast network, Paramount Global’s streaming service Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com and all its digital sports properties. Sports continues to be a primary driver for Paramount Global’s linear and digital success.
During Berson’s tenure at CBS Sports, he has been integral in all the Network’s rights acquisition negotiations, with the division successfully signing rights agreements with many marquee partners. Berson has helped spearhead four rights agreements with the NFL, including two for the Sunday AFC package and two for Thursday Night Football. Most recently, in March 2021, Paramount Global reached an 11-year multi-platform rights agreement with the NFL, extending CBS’ longstanding relationship with the league through the 2033 season. The historic deal keeps CBS the home of the AFC, while securing expanded and flexible distribution rights for Paramount+, as well as a vast array of rights across Paramount Global networks, properties and platforms. Berson conceived the wildly successful and Emmy award-winning NFL Wild Card Game on Nickelodeon, produced by CBS Sports, which debuted in 2021. CBS Sports and Nickelodeon will team up again to present the first-ever alternate telecast of the Super Bowl for Super Bowl LVIII. The special slime-filled kids and family presentation, which will air alongside CBS Sports’ broadcast, is cultivating a new generation of fans and spurred the creation of NFL Slimetime, a weekly series on Nickelodeon.
Berson has been instrumental in numerous long-term golf deals for CBS, including two separate nine-year PGA TOUR rights agreements (2013-2021 and 2022-2030), continuing CBS Sports’ position as the leading broadcast partner of the PGA TOUR, plus an historic 11-year deal with the PGA of America for CBS's carriage of the PGA Championship through 2030.
Berson also leads CBS Sports’ streaming content on Paramount+, highlighted in 2020 by making CBS Sports the home of the UEFA Champions League, the most prestigious club soccer tournament in the world, a deal that was later extended through the 2029-30 season. In addition to UEFA, CBS Sports’ soccer portfolio boasts many of the sport’s top competitions, including Serie A, the NWSL and the Women’s Super League, and in 2023 the launch of the CBS Sports Golazo Network, a first-of-its-kind, 24/7 streaming network dedicated to soccer.
Berson helped secure the multimedia rights for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship (March Madness) for CBS, in conjunction with Turner Broadcasting, through 2032. In 2022, Berson and CBS also negotiated a seven-year agreement with the Big Ten for football and basketball rights through 2029-30. Additionally, college sports rights extensions have been reached for the Army-Navy game through 2028, among many others.
Berson has overseen numerous high-profile CBS Sports on-air talent acquisitions, including Tony Romo, JJ Watt, Nate Burleson, Jay Wright, Matt Ryan, Trevor Immelman, Thierry Henry, Kate Abdo, Charles Davis, Dottie Pepper, Amanda Renner and Colt Knost. In recent years, other on-air talent deals included extensions with longtime CBS Sports voices Jim Nantz, Ian Eagle, James Brown, Bill Cowher, Phil Simms, Bill Raftery, Tracy Wolfson and Gary Danielson.
Since Berson joined CBS Sports, CBS Sports Network has achieved record business results. Enhancements to the cable network during his tenure include a total rebrand of the service, numerous rights agreements to bring aboard more leagues/conferences and live events than ever before, plus original programming, including the critically acclaimed first-ever, nationally-televised, all-female primetime sports show, WE NEED TO TALK.
Prior to joining CBS Sports, Berson co-ran ESPN's programming department and was responsible for programming strategy, scheduling, development and driving audience consumption for all of ESPN's domestic television networks and digital video media platforms. Berson led the programming group through a dynamic period at ESPN and ABC, including the launch of numerous additional networks and multimedia products. Beginning in 2001, when he took over responsibility for programming scheduling and strategy, ESPN networks set record audience levels each year during his tenure and, in an era of rapid media industry change and proliferation of consumer entertainment options, ESPN ratings grew 34 percent over that time.
The Sports Business Journal annually includes Berson on its list of the Most Influential People in Sports Business. In January 2006, The Sporting News listed Berson, then 33, on its annual list of "Young & Powerful." In 2007, 2008 and 2009, he was selected as a Sports Business Journal "Forty Under 40" recipient and named as a "Forty Under 40 Hall of Famer." In 2007 and 2008, he was listed on BusinessWeek's "The Power 100" ranking of the 100 most powerful people in sports. In 2019, for his philanthropic and professional work, Berson was honored by the UJA-Federation of New York at its Sports for Youth Luncheon. He is a 10-time Emmy Award-winner.
Berson is a graduate of the University of Michigan and serves on the University’s Sports Management Advisory Board.
In September 2023, CBS Sports announced that David Berson will become President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Sports effective April 2024, making him the seventh person ever to lead the storied brand. He is succeeding CBS Sports Chairman, Sean McManus in leading the Division.
Berson was named President, CBS Sports, in June 2013, at the time becoming the youngest ever to hold that title. He joined CBS Sports in January 2011 as Executive Vice President, CBS Sports, and President, CBS Sports Network, after 16 years at ESPN, where he started as an intern during college.
Berson oversees all aspects of CBS Sports across broadcast, cable, digital and streaming. He manages the relationships with CBS Sports’ partners, including the NFL, the Masters, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, NCAA, UEFA, Southeastern Conference and Big Ten Conference. Under Berson’s leadership, CBS Sports has more closely aligned and integrated all of its sports assets, including the CBS broadcast network, Paramount Global’s streaming service Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com and all its digital sports properties. Sports continues to be a primary driver for Paramount Global’s linear and digital success.
During Berson’s tenure at CBS Sports, he has been integral in all the Network’s rights acquisition negotiations, with the division successfully signing rights agreements with many marquee partners. Berson has helped spearhead four rights agreements with the NFL, including two for the Sunday AFC package and two for Thursday Night Football. Most recently, in March 2021, Paramount Global reached an 11-year multi-platform rights agreement with the NFL, extending CBS’ longstanding relationship with the league through the 2033 season. The historic deal keeps CBS the home of the AFC, while securing expanded and flexible distribution rights for Paramount+, as well as a vast array of rights across Paramount Global networks, properties and platforms. Berson conceived the wildly successful and Emmy award-winning NFL Wild Card Game on Nickelodeon, produced by CBS Sports, which debuted in 2021. CBS Sports and Nickelodeon will team up again to present the first-ever alternate telecast of the Super Bowl for Super Bowl LVIII. The special slime-filled kids and family presentation, which will air alongside CBS Sports’ broadcast, is cultivating a new generation of fans and spurred the creation of NFL Slimetime, a weekly series on Nickelodeon.
Berson has been instrumental in numerous long-term golf deals for CBS, including two separate nine-year PGA TOUR rights agreements (2013-2021 and 2022-2030), continuing CBS Sports’ position as the leading broadcast partner of the PGA TOUR, plus an historic 11-year deal with the PGA of America for CBS's carriage of the PGA Championship through 2030.
Berson also leads CBS Sports’ streaming content on Paramount+, highlighted in 2020 by making CBS Sports the home of the UEFA Champions League, the most prestigious club soccer tournament in the world, a deal that was later extended through the 2029-30 season. In addition to UEFA, CBS Sports’ soccer portfolio boasts many of the sport’s top competitions, including Serie A, the NWSL and the Women’s Super League, and in 2023 the launch of the CBS Sports Golazo Network, a first-of-its-kind, 24/7 streaming network dedicated to soccer.
Berson helped secure the multimedia rights for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship (March Madness) for CBS, in conjunction with Turner Broadcasting, through 2032. In 2022, Berson and CBS also negotiated a seven-year agreement with the Big Ten for football and basketball rights through 2029-30. Additionally, college sports rights extensions have been reached for the Army-Navy game through 2028, among many others.
Berson has overseen numerous high-profile CBS Sports on-air talent acquisitions, including Tony Romo, JJ Watt, Nate Burleson, Jay Wright, Matt Ryan, Trevor Immelman, Thierry Henry, Kate Abdo, Charles Davis, Dottie Pepper, Amanda Renner and Colt Knost. In recent years, other on-air talent deals included extensions with longtime CBS Sports voices Jim Nantz, Ian Eagle, James Brown, Bill Cowher, Phil Simms, Bill Raftery, Tracy Wolfson and Gary Danielson.
Since Berson joined CBS Sports, CBS Sports Network has achieved record business results. Enhancements to the cable network during his tenure include a total rebrand of the service, numerous rights agreements to bring aboard more leagues/conferences and live events than ever before, plus original programming, including the critically acclaimed first-ever, nationally-televised, all-female primetime sports show, WE NEED TO TALK.
Prior to joining CBS Sports, Berson co-ran ESPN's programming department and was responsible for programming strategy, scheduling, development and driving audience consumption for all of ESPN's domestic television networks and digital video media platforms. Berson led the programming group through a dynamic period at ESPN and ABC, including the launch of numerous additional networks and multimedia products. Beginning in 2001, when he took over responsibility for programming scheduling and strategy, ESPN networks set record audience levels each year during his tenure and, in an era of rapid media industry change and proliferation of consumer entertainment options, ESPN ratings grew 34 percent over that time.
The Sports Business Journal annually includes Berson on its list of the Most Influential People in Sports Business. In January 2006, The Sporting News listed Berson, then 33, on its annual list of "Young & Powerful." In 2007, 2008 and 2009, he was selected as a Sports Business Journal "Forty Under 40" recipient and named as a "Forty Under 40 Hall of Famer." In 2007 and 2008, he was listed on BusinessWeek's "The Power 100" ranking of the 100 most powerful people in sports. In 2019, for his philanthropic and professional work, Berson was honored by the UJA-Federation of New York at its Sports for Youth Luncheon. He is a 10-time Emmy Award-winner.
Berson is a graduate of the University of Michigan and serves on the University’s Sports Management Advisory Board.
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Harold Bryant
CBS Sports
Harold Bryant was named Executive Producer & Executive Vice President in November 2020 after having been Executive Producer & Senior Vice President, Production since June 2014. Before that he served as Executive Producer & Vice President, Production since August 2011-14. And he was Vice President, Production since June 2008-11. Bryant oversees all creative aspects of production and editorial content for all sports programming at CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network, including Super Bowl LV, Super Bowl LIII, Super Bowl 50, the most-watched single broadcast in television history on an all-or-part basis; Super Bowl XLIV in 2010, the most-watched program in television history at the time, and Super Bowl XLVII. Bryant also oversees production for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, the Masters, PGA Championship and PGA TOUR golf, as well as the Emmy Award-winning show INSIDE THE NFL, now on Paramount+.
Bryant, a 31-time Emmy Award-winner, joined CBS Sports as a Feature Producer/Associate Producer in June 1997. He was promoted to coordinating producer in March 1999 where his responsibilities included overseeing production elements involving THE NFL ON CBS, including Super Bowls XXXV, XXXVIII and XLI, NCAA college basketball, including the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, college football, PGA TOUR golf, including the Masters® and PGA Championship, the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, as well as all additional programming, including CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR.
In addition to his duties at CBS Sports, Bryant works closely with production efforts at Showtime, CBSSports.com and CBS Sports HQ.
Prior to joining CBS Sports, Bryant served as a producer for WBIS-TV producing halftime and post-game shows for New York Knicks, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils games, as well as sports features and updates for the network’s business shows. He worked three years as a feature producer producing over 100 features for Atlanta Olympic Broadcasting, the host broadcaster for the 1996 Olympic Summer Games (1994-96). From 1991-94, Bryant served as a production assistant at NBC Sports where he worked three seasons of NFL and NBA, as well as the 1992 Olympic Summer Games in Barcelona, Spain. While at NBC Sports, he also worked on events including world figure skating championships in Prague, the French Open and Notre Dame football.
Bryant began his career in 1987 working for WWOR-TV as a news and sports production assistant for all New York Mets home games. In 1990 he served as a line producer for the start up sports network, Sports News Network.
Bryant graduated from Rutgers University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts and a concentration in television.
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Harold Bryant was named Executive Producer & Executive Vice President in November 2020 after having been Executive Producer & Senior Vice President, Production since June 2014. Before that he served as Executive Producer & Vice President, Production since August 2011-14. And he was Vice President, Production since June 2008-11. Bryant oversees all creative aspects of production and editorial content for all sports programming at CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network, including Super Bowl LV, Super Bowl LIII, Super Bowl 50, the most-watched single broadcast in television history on an all-or-part basis; Super Bowl XLIV in 2010, the most-watched program in television history at the time, and Super Bowl XLVII. Bryant also oversees production for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, the Masters, PGA Championship and PGA TOUR golf, as well as the Emmy Award-winning show INSIDE THE NFL, now on Paramount+.
Bryant, a 31-time Emmy Award-winner, joined CBS Sports as a Feature Producer/Associate Producer in June 1997. He was promoted to coordinating producer in March 1999 where his responsibilities included overseeing production elements involving THE NFL ON CBS, including Super Bowls XXXV, XXXVIII and XLI, NCAA college basketball, including the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, college football, PGA TOUR golf, including the Masters® and PGA Championship, the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, as well as all additional programming, including CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR.
In addition to his duties at CBS Sports, Bryant works closely with production efforts at Showtime, CBSSports.com and CBS Sports HQ.
Prior to joining CBS Sports, Bryant served as a producer for WBIS-TV producing halftime and post-game shows for New York Knicks, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils games, as well as sports features and updates for the network’s business shows. He worked three years as a feature producer producing over 100 features for Atlanta Olympic Broadcasting, the host broadcaster for the 1996 Olympic Summer Games (1994-96). From 1991-94, Bryant served as a production assistant at NBC Sports where he worked three seasons of NFL and NBA, as well as the 1992 Olympic Summer Games in Barcelona, Spain. While at NBC Sports, he also worked on events including world figure skating championships in Prague, the French Open and Notre Dame football.
Bryant began his career in 1987 working for WWOR-TV as a news and sports production assistant for all New York Mets home games. In 1990 he served as a line producer for the start up sports network, Sports News Network.
Bryant graduated from Rutgers University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts and a concentration in television.
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Kelly Dunne
CBS Sports
Kelly Dunne was named Executive Vice President, CBS Sports Marketing in April 2015 after having served as Senior Vice President, CBS Sports Marketing since 2012. She was previously Senior Vice President, Marketing and Creative Services, CBS Sports Network. Dunne has been with CBS Sports Network since its inception, joining the Network as Vice President, Creative Services in August 2002.
Dunne has over 20 years of experience in sports marketing and creative services. She was responsible for creating the CSTV brand and identity and oversaw several re-brands – to CBS College Sports Network in 2008 and CBS Sports Network in 2011, both on and off-air. She served as executive producer on multiple brand campaigns and was responsible for strategy, creative and execution of ad sales and affiliate marketing. Dunne also oversaw the network’s website and all online, print and social marketing.
Dunne currently oversees all marketing for CBS Sports across multiple platforms, including branding and on-air promotions. She will continue to oversee CBS Sports Network’s on-air graphic look, interactive design and development and creative services, including the Network’s internal team of designers, producers, writers, web developers and creative talent.
Prior to joining CBS Sports Network, Dunne served as Managing Director/Executive Producer at the Diecks Group, a broadcast design and marketing company. There, she executive produced multiple campaigns and was the main liaison on all accounts, including Disney, Lifetime, Fox Networks, NFL and The Martin Agency. She was also responsible for day-to-day management of the company.
Prior to the Diecks Group, Dunne worked in various capacities at ESPN marketing for ten years. She worked across the affiliate marketing, ad sales marketing, special events marketing, creative services and on-air promos departments, and assisted in marketing campaigns and strategy for the launches of ESPN2, ESPNews and ESPN.com. In addition, she worked regularly with ESPN’s external creative and media agencies and was responsible for on –air promos, sales and support videos, and marketing materials.
Dunne graduated from LeMoyne College (B.S. in business administration) and has two children, Jake and Lucy.
Kelly Dunne was named Executive Vice President, CBS Sports Marketing in April 2015 after having served as Senior Vice President, CBS Sports Marketing since 2012. She was previously Senior Vice President, Marketing and Creative Services, CBS Sports Network. Dunne has been with CBS Sports Network since its inception, joining the Network as Vice President, Creative Services in August 2002.
Dunne has over 20 years of experience in sports marketing and creative services. She was responsible for creating the CSTV brand and identity and oversaw several re-brands – to CBS College Sports Network in 2008 and CBS Sports Network in 2011, both on and off-air. She served as executive producer on multiple brand campaigns and was responsible for strategy, creative and execution of ad sales and affiliate marketing. Dunne also oversaw the network’s website and all online, print and social marketing.
Dunne currently oversees all marketing for CBS Sports across multiple platforms, including branding and on-air promotions. She will continue to oversee CBS Sports Network’s on-air graphic look, interactive design and development and creative services, including the Network’s internal team of designers, producers, writers, web developers and creative talent.
Prior to joining CBS Sports Network, Dunne served as Managing Director/Executive Producer at the Diecks Group, a broadcast design and marketing company. There, she executive produced multiple campaigns and was the main liaison on all accounts, including Disney, Lifetime, Fox Networks, NFL and The Martin Agency. She was also responsible for day-to-day management of the company.
Prior to the Diecks Group, Dunne worked in various capacities at ESPN marketing for ten years. She worked across the affiliate marketing, ad sales marketing, special events marketing, creative services and on-air promos departments, and assisted in marketing campaigns and strategy for the launches of ESPN2, ESPNews and ESPN.com. In addition, she worked regularly with ESPN’s external creative and media agencies and was responsible for on –air promos, sales and support videos, and marketing materials.
Dunne graduated from LeMoyne College (B.S. in business administration) and has two children, Jake and Lucy.
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Jeffrey Gerttula
CBS Sports
Jeffrey Gerttula was promoted to Executive Vice President, Digital, CBS Sports and CBS News and Stations, in May 2022, overseeing all digital properties at CBS Sports as well as CBS News and Stations.
He was named Executive Vice President for CBS Sports Digital in January 2018, and in May 2022 his role was expanded to oversee the integration of digital and streaming properties with CBS News and Stations. He previously served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Digital, CBS Sports, and Vice President, Programming, CBSSports.com, since joining CBS Sports in 2009.
Gerttula leads the media business, product, design and engineering for CBS News and Stations and all of CBS Sports’ digital properties, which include CBS Sports HQ, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports mobile and TV apps, CBS Sports Fantasy, SportsLine, 247Sports, MaxPreps, ComicBook.com and PopCulture.com. He oversees all aspects of these properties including live and on-demand video programming, editorial content, product, technology and design across all digital platforms. In conjunction with CBS Sports, Gerttula also leads the acquisition and strategy for exclusive live sports rights in the Paramount+ streaming service and supports sports content streaming on Pluto TV.
Under Gerttula’s leadership, CBS Sports Digital has grown to reach more than 90 million monthly active users, making it the second-largest sports group in the U.S. He also managed CBS Sports’ record-setting live streams of Super Bowl LIII, Super Bowl 50 and Super Bowl XLVII on CBS Sports digital platforms.
During Gerttula’s tenure, CBS Sports and Paramount+ have become the leading destination for men’s and women’s soccer fans in the U.S., featuring more than 2,500 live matches each year across an extensive portfolio of soccer properties, including UEFA club competitions, NWSL, Concacaf Men’s World Cup Qualifiers, Liga Profesional de Fútbol and Serie A. Gerttula helped CBS Sports secure a deal with UEFA to be the English-language home in the U.S. of the UEFA Champions League – the world’s most prestigious club soccer tournament – UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League beginning in 2020 through 2030. The 2022 UEFA Champions League final was the most-watched UEFA Champions League Final in history for English-language coverage in the U.S., and Paramount+ registered its most-streamed soccer match ever.
Under Gerttula’s direction and development, CBS Sports HQ launched in 2018 as a first-of-its-kind, always-on streaming sports network offering fans new ways to digitally consume sports news and highlights like never before. The 24/7 digital network, easily accessible for free on connected devices, allows sports fans to watch full-day live, anchored coverage featuring game breakdowns and the day’s top sports storylines.
CBS Sports has long been at the forefront of serving sports fans with sports betting content, and Gerttula strengthened SportsLine in 2015 to cement its place as the leading destination for information, analysis, projections, betting tools, odds and expert picks. Additionally, CBS Sports in 2020 announced a strategic partnership making William Hill the Official Sports Book and Wagering Data Provider across all CBS Sports platforms, extending its digital leadership in the sports betting space and reimagining fan engagement through a unique integration of sports betting, media, product and technology.
Gerttula also led the acquisitions of Scout and 247Sports, the industry leader in college football, college basketball and recruiting analysis, and under his direction CBS Sports’ award-winning, multiplatform podcast network has also grown to become one of sports’ largest, with more than 65 shows and nearly 100 million downloads in 2021.
In 2012, Gerttula won a Sports Emmy for Outstanding New Approaches Sports Programming for a 10-part web series ahead of the Showtime feature documentary “A Game of Honor” on the student-athletes participating in the Army-Navy football game.
Gerttula holds a BA in Quantitative Economics from Tufts University and an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.
Jeffrey Gerttula was promoted to Executive Vice President, Digital, CBS Sports and CBS News and Stations, in May 2022, overseeing all digital properties at CBS Sports as well as CBS News and Stations.
He was named Executive Vice President for CBS Sports Digital in January 2018, and in May 2022 his role was expanded to oversee the integration of digital and streaming properties with CBS News and Stations. He previously served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Digital, CBS Sports, and Vice President, Programming, CBSSports.com, since joining CBS Sports in 2009.
Gerttula leads the media business, product, design and engineering for CBS News and Stations and all of CBS Sports’ digital properties, which include CBS Sports HQ, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports mobile and TV apps, CBS Sports Fantasy, SportsLine, 247Sports, MaxPreps, ComicBook.com and PopCulture.com. He oversees all aspects of these properties including live and on-demand video programming, editorial content, product, technology and design across all digital platforms. In conjunction with CBS Sports, Gerttula also leads the acquisition and strategy for exclusive live sports rights in the Paramount+ streaming service and supports sports content streaming on Pluto TV.
Under Gerttula’s leadership, CBS Sports Digital has grown to reach more than 90 million monthly active users, making it the second-largest sports group in the U.S. He also managed CBS Sports’ record-setting live streams of Super Bowl LIII, Super Bowl 50 and Super Bowl XLVII on CBS Sports digital platforms.
During Gerttula’s tenure, CBS Sports and Paramount+ have become the leading destination for men’s and women’s soccer fans in the U.S., featuring more than 2,500 live matches each year across an extensive portfolio of soccer properties, including UEFA club competitions, NWSL, Concacaf Men’s World Cup Qualifiers, Liga Profesional de Fútbol and Serie A. Gerttula helped CBS Sports secure a deal with UEFA to be the English-language home in the U.S. of the UEFA Champions League – the world’s most prestigious club soccer tournament – UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League beginning in 2020 through 2030. The 2022 UEFA Champions League final was the most-watched UEFA Champions League Final in history for English-language coverage in the U.S., and Paramount+ registered its most-streamed soccer match ever.
Under Gerttula’s direction and development, CBS Sports HQ launched in 2018 as a first-of-its-kind, always-on streaming sports network offering fans new ways to digitally consume sports news and highlights like never before. The 24/7 digital network, easily accessible for free on connected devices, allows sports fans to watch full-day live, anchored coverage featuring game breakdowns and the day’s top sports storylines.
CBS Sports has long been at the forefront of serving sports fans with sports betting content, and Gerttula strengthened SportsLine in 2015 to cement its place as the leading destination for information, analysis, projections, betting tools, odds and expert picks. Additionally, CBS Sports in 2020 announced a strategic partnership making William Hill the Official Sports Book and Wagering Data Provider across all CBS Sports platforms, extending its digital leadership in the sports betting space and reimagining fan engagement through a unique integration of sports betting, media, product and technology.
Gerttula also led the acquisitions of Scout and 247Sports, the industry leader in college football, college basketball and recruiting analysis, and under his direction CBS Sports’ award-winning, multiplatform podcast network has also grown to become one of sports’ largest, with more than 65 shows and nearly 100 million downloads in 2021.
In 2012, Gerttula won a Sports Emmy for Outstanding New Approaches Sports Programming for a 10-part web series ahead of the Showtime feature documentary “A Game of Honor” on the student-athletes participating in the Army-Navy football game.
Gerttula holds a BA in Quantitative Economics from Tufts University and an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.
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Patty Power
CBS Sports
Patty Power was named Executive Vice President, Operations and Engineering in April 2016. Prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President of Operations and Administration for CBS Sports Network, the first 24-hour college sports network.
Power is responsible for the day-to-day management of Operations and Engineering including production management, technical management, network operations, commercial operations, post production and media services for all CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network’s broadcast and cable properties. She also is responsible for the technical production of over 350 remotes including Super Bowl LV and Super Bowl LIII, the AFC Championship Game, NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and Final Four, the Masters, PGA Championship and college football’s SEC Championship, hundreds of hours of studio and original programming annually on CBS Sports Network, as well as overseeing and facilitating all major operations-related deals.
Power, an industry veteran and executive with wide-ranging knowledge of sports television start-ups, has extensive experience in operations, production planning and administration, and has been integral to CBS Sports Network’s growth and success since its inception. She helped launch the independent Network (then CSTV), which debuted in April 2003 and was acquired by CBS in January 2006. Power helped establish and launch the network’s VOD product. Under her direction, CBS Sports Network has grown into a multi-media leader in the industry, which is available to over 95 million households.
Power is responsible for the distribution and quality control of CBS Sports Network’s signal, including affiliate authorization, compliance, NOC and commercial operations. Under her direction, CBS Sports Network built out a 20,000 square foot production facility at Chelsea Piers in New York City that included studio and post-production facilities, and a state-of-the-art digital archive management system. In addition, she helped spearhead the CBS Sports Network’s upgrade to High Definition production programming and distribution.
A four-time Emmy Award-winner, Power came to CBS Sports Network from Major League Baseball Productions, where she was Vice President of Operations. In that role, she managed the day-to-day operations of the production unit, served as the operations liaison with all 30 MLB teams, managed the footage and licensing department and oversaw the build out of MLB Production’s 25,000 square-foot, multi-level production facility in Chelsea Market in New York City.
Prior to that, Power was Vice President, Operations for Classic Sports Network (ESPN Classic). As the first employee hired in the Operations department, she was responsible for building the Operations and Engineering department that launched Classic Sports Network. Power also worked at Showtime Networks as a Production Manager in Operations and at NBC Sports. In addition, she served as a Production Manager for a variety of major events including the XXVI Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta, Ga., the Three Tenors in Concert in Los Angeles, Calif. and Pavarotti in the Park, in Central Park in New York City.
Power is an Executive Board Member of Sports Video Group and is a member of the National Association of Professional Women. She graduated from Farmingdale State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management. Power currently resides in New York City with her husband and son.
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Patty Power was named Executive Vice President, Operations and Engineering in April 2016. Prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President of Operations and Administration for CBS Sports Network, the first 24-hour college sports network.
Power is responsible for the day-to-day management of Operations and Engineering including production management, technical management, network operations, commercial operations, post production and media services for all CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network’s broadcast and cable properties. She also is responsible for the technical production of over 350 remotes including Super Bowl LV and Super Bowl LIII, the AFC Championship Game, NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and Final Four, the Masters, PGA Championship and college football’s SEC Championship, hundreds of hours of studio and original programming annually on CBS Sports Network, as well as overseeing and facilitating all major operations-related deals.
Power, an industry veteran and executive with wide-ranging knowledge of sports television start-ups, has extensive experience in operations, production planning and administration, and has been integral to CBS Sports Network’s growth and success since its inception. She helped launch the independent Network (then CSTV), which debuted in April 2003 and was acquired by CBS in January 2006. Power helped establish and launch the network’s VOD product. Under her direction, CBS Sports Network has grown into a multi-media leader in the industry, which is available to over 95 million households.
Power is responsible for the distribution and quality control of CBS Sports Network’s signal, including affiliate authorization, compliance, NOC and commercial operations. Under her direction, CBS Sports Network built out a 20,000 square foot production facility at Chelsea Piers in New York City that included studio and post-production facilities, and a state-of-the-art digital archive management system. In addition, she helped spearhead the CBS Sports Network’s upgrade to High Definition production programming and distribution.
A four-time Emmy Award-winner, Power came to CBS Sports Network from Major League Baseball Productions, where she was Vice President of Operations. In that role, she managed the day-to-day operations of the production unit, served as the operations liaison with all 30 MLB teams, managed the footage and licensing department and oversaw the build out of MLB Production’s 25,000 square-foot, multi-level production facility in Chelsea Market in New York City.
Prior to that, Power was Vice President, Operations for Classic Sports Network (ESPN Classic). As the first employee hired in the Operations department, she was responsible for building the Operations and Engineering department that launched Classic Sports Network. Power also worked at Showtime Networks as a Production Manager in Operations and at NBC Sports. In addition, she served as a Production Manager for a variety of major events including the XXVI Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta, Ga., the Three Tenors in Concert in Los Angeles, Calif. and Pavarotti in the Park, in Central Park in New York City.
Power is an Executive Board Member of Sports Video Group and is a member of the National Association of Professional Women. She graduated from Farmingdale State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management. Power currently resides in New York City with her husband and son.
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Tyler Hale
CBS Sports
Tyler Hale was named senior vice president of studio production for CBS Sports in May 2023. He is responsible for the strategy, planning and day-to-day execution of all studio programming across CBS Sports, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Digital properties.
Hale joined CBS Sports in 2003 as a producer assigned to the launch of CBS Sports Network, formerly College Sports Television. During his tenure at CBS, he has overseen production of live studio programs from 12 Super Bowls, 19 Final Fours as well as annual coverage of the SEC Championship and the Army-Navy game. Of note, Hale was a member of the leadership team responsible for CBS’ expansive presentation of Super Bowl 50 in Northern California, which included programming across the Company’s Sports, News and Entertainment divisions. That week, Hale’s studio team produced over 85 hours of live pregame content culminating with a four-hour Super Bowl Today. He also has led similar production efforts in the leadup to Super Bowls XLVIII in New Orleans, LII in Atlanta, LV in Tampa and LVIII in Las Vegas.
At CBS Sports Network, Tyler has played a role in nearly all of the Network’s studio production since the channel’s inception. As a producer, he created the flagship program INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL, which celebrated its 20th season in 2022, and across his various management roles he has overseen the development of franchises THAT OTHER PREGAME SHOW, NFL MONDAY QB, WE NEED TO TALK, INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL, BOOMER & GIO, CBS SPORTS HQ SPOTLIGHT, THE JIM ROME SHOW and TIME TO SCHEIN.
For CBS Sports, Hale’s portfolio includes production of THE NFL TODAY, COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY and the Company’s ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR NCAA Tournament studio coverage. From 2014 to 2017, Hale also spearheaded CBS’ live, weekly, on-site studio presence for THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL.
In June 2023, Tyler assumed responsibility for all studio programs under the CBS Sports Digital umbrella with a goal of further aligning the division’s production and editorial standards across all its broadcast, cable and digital projects. This includes oversight of the digital streaming channel CBS SPORTS HQ, video and audio podcast production, featuring notable titles FANTASY FOOTBALL TODAY, COVER 3 and EYE ON COLLEGE BASKETBALL and 247 SPORTS, Paramount’s digital network dedicated to college football and basketball recruiting.
Prior to joining CBS Sports, Tyler served as an associate producer at ESPN where he worked on a wide variety of studio productions, including “SportsCenter,” “College GameDay,” “Sunday NFL Countdown” and “NFL Primetime.”
Hale is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication. At Penn, he was a letterwinner and four-year member of the men’s varsity lacrosse team. A proud native of Syracuse, N.Y., Tyler currently resides in Bronxville, N.Y., with his wife Laura and two children.
Tyler Hale was named senior vice president of studio production for CBS Sports in May 2023. He is responsible for the strategy, planning and day-to-day execution of all studio programming across CBS Sports, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Digital properties.
Hale joined CBS Sports in 2003 as a producer assigned to the launch of CBS Sports Network, formerly College Sports Television. During his tenure at CBS, he has overseen production of live studio programs from 12 Super Bowls, 19 Final Fours as well as annual coverage of the SEC Championship and the Army-Navy game. Of note, Hale was a member of the leadership team responsible for CBS’ expansive presentation of Super Bowl 50 in Northern California, which included programming across the Company’s Sports, News and Entertainment divisions. That week, Hale’s studio team produced over 85 hours of live pregame content culminating with a four-hour Super Bowl Today. He also has led similar production efforts in the leadup to Super Bowls XLVIII in New Orleans, LII in Atlanta, LV in Tampa and LVIII in Las Vegas.
At CBS Sports Network, Tyler has played a role in nearly all of the Network’s studio production since the channel’s inception. As a producer, he created the flagship program INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL, which celebrated its 20th season in 2022, and across his various management roles he has overseen the development of franchises THAT OTHER PREGAME SHOW, NFL MONDAY QB, WE NEED TO TALK, INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL, BOOMER & GIO, CBS SPORTS HQ SPOTLIGHT, THE JIM ROME SHOW and TIME TO SCHEIN.
For CBS Sports, Hale’s portfolio includes production of THE NFL TODAY, COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY and the Company’s ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR NCAA Tournament studio coverage. From 2014 to 2017, Hale also spearheaded CBS’ live, weekly, on-site studio presence for THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL.
In June 2023, Tyler assumed responsibility for all studio programs under the CBS Sports Digital umbrella with a goal of further aligning the division’s production and editorial standards across all its broadcast, cable and digital projects. This includes oversight of the digital streaming channel CBS SPORTS HQ, video and audio podcast production, featuring notable titles FANTASY FOOTBALL TODAY, COVER 3 and EYE ON COLLEGE BASKETBALL and 247 SPORTS, Paramount’s digital network dedicated to college football and basketball recruiting.
Prior to joining CBS Sports, Tyler served as an associate producer at ESPN where he worked on a wide variety of studio productions, including “SportsCenter,” “College GameDay,” “Sunday NFL Countdown” and “NFL Primetime.”
Hale is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication. At Penn, he was a letterwinner and four-year member of the men’s varsity lacrosse team. A proud native of Syracuse, N.Y., Tyler currently resides in Bronxville, N.Y., with his wife Laura and two children.
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Jen Sabatelle
CBS Sports
Jennifer Sabatelle was named Executive Vice President, Communications, CBS Sports, in January 2021. She previously served as Senior Vice President, Communications since 2013 and Vice President, Communications since 2010. Sabatelle oversees all communications functions for CBS Sports. In her position, she supervises the overall media relations efforts and strategy at CBS Sports and the CBS cable property CBS Sports Network, including corporate communications, social media and the promotion of all CBS Sports’ personalities and programming.
In February 2019, Sabatelle oversaw the year-long promotion of Super Bowl LIII featuring shows across the CBS Corporation on multiple platforms including broadcast, cable and premium television and digital leading up to exclusive game coverage of Super Bowl LIII. In 2016, Sabatelle also oversaw the year-long promotion of the landmark Super Bowl 50 featuring shows from nine CBS divisions with week-long, around-the-clock coverage from San Francisco and the Bay Area. She also led the promotion of a comprehensive redesign of CBS Sports’ iconic logo that implemented a new on-air graphics look for CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network which debuted as part of the Network’s Super Bowl Week programming and Super Bowl 50. In addition, when CBS acquired the rights to the NFL’s new THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL package in 2014, Sabatelle planned and oversaw the execution of the corporation-wide extensive media plan for the primetime property.
Under Sabatelle’s guidance, CBS Sports and Turner Sports collaborated in 2011 on the most extensive and unprecedented media strategy for the new landmark 14-year partnership to broadcast the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship until 2024. Sabatelle directed the multimedia partnership with CBS Sports, Turner Sports and the NCAA to address the wide-ranging issues surrounding the introduction of the brand new model for the way the NCAA Tournament was presented on television with every game seen in its entirety on four channels across two networks.
Additionally, in her role, Sabatelle oversaw and implemented the announcement and strategy of multi-year deals between CBS Sports and the PGA TOUR in 2020 keeping the network as the dominant broadcast partner, and CBS Sports and the PGA of America in 2018, keeping the PGA Championship on CBS until 2030.
Sabatelle helped institute all social media for CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network, working closely with CBS Interactive and executives, talent and production on education, promotion, branding and breaking news on all properties. In addition, she works closely with all the communication divisions within the CBS Corporation including CBS Entertainment, CBS News and CBS Radio to cross promote and unify press and breaking news.
Sabatelle planned and coordinated the media strategy for the rebranding of CSTV to CBS College Sports Network in 2008 and of CBS College to CBS Sports Network in 2011. Both successful rebranding efforts resulted in significant coverage that has contributed to the Network growth across all fronts.
In 2019, Sabatelle was named one of the Cynopsis Top Women in Sports for “Sports Centric Brands,” honoring an executive who has demonstrated an innovative approach to connecting with and engaging the sports audience.
Prior to serving as Vice President of communication, Sabatelle was Director, Communications, CBS Sports, since 2007. In that role, she was responsible for CBS Sports’ college-related properties, including the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, the SEC ON CBS and regular-season basketball. In addition she oversaw the publicity efforts for CBS College Sports Network. Sabatelle also worked closely with Showtime Sports on promotion for the CBS Sports-produced INSIDE THE NFL.
Sabatelle served as the liaison between CBS Sports and CBS’s affiliated television stations. In addition, she contributed to the publicity efforts for the Network’s coverage of the NFL, PGA TOUR, including the Masters, the PGA Championship, the CBS SPORTS SPECTACULARS and other ancillary programming. Sabatelle was promoted to Manager, Communications, in October 2006 after joining the CBS Sports Communications Department in May 2002, as Senior Press Representative, working on promotion of the personalities and programming related to NCAA basketball, SEC football and the U.S. Open Tennis Championships.
She joined CBS Sports in May 2000 as Coordinator of Programming and Marketing. In her role she was responsible for coordinating more than 600 hours of sports programming per year. In addition, she coordinated schedules and affiliate regionalization for the NFL and NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and implemented NFL broadcast policies for the CBS Television Network. She also managed web inventory for NFL, NCAA, and AOL on CBS.com and CBSSportsline.com.
Sabatelle joined CBS Sports, from the NFL where she was a Broadcast Assistant serving as a liaison between the League and its member clubs. In addition, she assisted in the construction of the NFL schedule and managed the NFL Instant Replay Communicators and Technicians. She began her career at Grey Advertising in Public Relations. A graduate of Ithaca College (B.A., Television-Radio), Sabatelle resides in New York City.
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Jennifer Sabatelle was named Executive Vice President, Communications, CBS Sports, in January 2021. She previously served as Senior Vice President, Communications since 2013 and Vice President, Communications since 2010. Sabatelle oversees all communications functions for CBS Sports. In her position, she supervises the overall media relations efforts and strategy at CBS Sports and the CBS cable property CBS Sports Network, including corporate communications, social media and the promotion of all CBS Sports’ personalities and programming.
In February 2019, Sabatelle oversaw the year-long promotion of Super Bowl LIII featuring shows across the CBS Corporation on multiple platforms including broadcast, cable and premium television and digital leading up to exclusive game coverage of Super Bowl LIII. In 2016, Sabatelle also oversaw the year-long promotion of the landmark Super Bowl 50 featuring shows from nine CBS divisions with week-long, around-the-clock coverage from San Francisco and the Bay Area. She also led the promotion of a comprehensive redesign of CBS Sports’ iconic logo that implemented a new on-air graphics look for CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network which debuted as part of the Network’s Super Bowl Week programming and Super Bowl 50. In addition, when CBS acquired the rights to the NFL’s new THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL package in 2014, Sabatelle planned and oversaw the execution of the corporation-wide extensive media plan for the primetime property.
Under Sabatelle’s guidance, CBS Sports and Turner Sports collaborated in 2011 on the most extensive and unprecedented media strategy for the new landmark 14-year partnership to broadcast the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship until 2024. Sabatelle directed the multimedia partnership with CBS Sports, Turner Sports and the NCAA to address the wide-ranging issues surrounding the introduction of the brand new model for the way the NCAA Tournament was presented on television with every game seen in its entirety on four channels across two networks.
Additionally, in her role, Sabatelle oversaw and implemented the announcement and strategy of multi-year deals between CBS Sports and the PGA TOUR in 2020 keeping the network as the dominant broadcast partner, and CBS Sports and the PGA of America in 2018, keeping the PGA Championship on CBS until 2030.
Sabatelle helped institute all social media for CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network, working closely with CBS Interactive and executives, talent and production on education, promotion, branding and breaking news on all properties. In addition, she works closely with all the communication divisions within the CBS Corporation including CBS Entertainment, CBS News and CBS Radio to cross promote and unify press and breaking news.
Sabatelle planned and coordinated the media strategy for the rebranding of CSTV to CBS College Sports Network in 2008 and of CBS College to CBS Sports Network in 2011. Both successful rebranding efforts resulted in significant coverage that has contributed to the Network growth across all fronts.
In 2019, Sabatelle was named one of the Cynopsis Top Women in Sports for “Sports Centric Brands,” honoring an executive who has demonstrated an innovative approach to connecting with and engaging the sports audience.
Prior to serving as Vice President of communication, Sabatelle was Director, Communications, CBS Sports, since 2007. In that role, she was responsible for CBS Sports’ college-related properties, including the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, the SEC ON CBS and regular-season basketball. In addition she oversaw the publicity efforts for CBS College Sports Network. Sabatelle also worked closely with Showtime Sports on promotion for the CBS Sports-produced INSIDE THE NFL.
Sabatelle served as the liaison between CBS Sports and CBS’s affiliated television stations. In addition, she contributed to the publicity efforts for the Network’s coverage of the NFL, PGA TOUR, including the Masters, the PGA Championship, the CBS SPORTS SPECTACULARS and other ancillary programming. Sabatelle was promoted to Manager, Communications, in October 2006 after joining the CBS Sports Communications Department in May 2002, as Senior Press Representative, working on promotion of the personalities and programming related to NCAA basketball, SEC football and the U.S. Open Tennis Championships.
She joined CBS Sports in May 2000 as Coordinator of Programming and Marketing. In her role she was responsible for coordinating more than 600 hours of sports programming per year. In addition, she coordinated schedules and affiliate regionalization for the NFL and NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and implemented NFL broadcast policies for the CBS Television Network. She also managed web inventory for NFL, NCAA, and AOL on CBS.com and CBSSportsline.com.
Sabatelle joined CBS Sports, from the NFL where she was a Broadcast Assistant serving as a liaison between the League and its member clubs. In addition, she assisted in the construction of the NFL schedule and managed the NFL Instant Replay Communicators and Technicians. She began her career at Grey Advertising in Public Relations. A graduate of Ithaca College (B.A., Television-Radio), Sabatelle resides in New York City.
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Dan Weinberg
CBS Sports
Dan Weinberg joined CBS Sports in 2011 and currently serves as Executive Vice President, Programming, managing all programming for CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network.
Weinberg is responsible for all programming acquisitions, strategy and scheduling across broadcast and cable, including all event and studio hours. In that capacity he manages the division’s relationships with various partners including the NFL, NCAA, Augusta National Golf Club, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, UEFA, SEC, Big Ten, Atlantic 10, American Athletic Conference, Big East, Mountain West, WNBA, NWSL, CONCACAF, Serie A, as well as Army and Navy, PBR, Big 3 and many more. He also works closely with Showtime Sports, CBSSports.com and Paramount+.
Before joining CBS Sports, Weinberg served as Vice President, Licensing, Major League Baseball, where he managed licensing for all hard goods, including trading cards, video games and novelties, oversaw corporate partnerships with approximately 200 authorized licensees in multiple product categories and managed contract negotiations.
Prior to Major League Baseball, Weinberg spent four years at Six Flags, where he was Vice President of Entertainment, overseeing all entertainment and licensing for the parks. He created and managed live entertainment across the park system, negotiated third party vendor contracts for major show projects, partnered with Dick Clark Productions’ music archives to create films for the park theaters and coordinated the production of several original features for the Six Flags TV network. Weinberg also managed multi-million dollar licensing partnerships with entertainment brands such as Warner Brothers, DC Comics and MTV.
Weinberg began his career as a production assistant at ESPN, working in various capacities during his 12 years at the company. He served as Executive Producer, ESPN Original Entertainment, where he created content to serve the company’s emerging media networks. And he was Coordinating Producer, ESPN Classic, where his responsibilities included overseeing more than 50 documentary-style programs.
Weinberg is a graduate of Cornell University (B.S. in Communication) and lives in Westfield, N.J. with his wife and four children.
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Dan Weinberg joined CBS Sports in 2011 and currently serves as Executive Vice President, Programming, managing all programming for CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network.
Weinberg is responsible for all programming acquisitions, strategy and scheduling across broadcast and cable, including all event and studio hours. In that capacity he manages the division’s relationships with various partners including the NFL, NCAA, Augusta National Golf Club, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, UEFA, SEC, Big Ten, Atlantic 10, American Athletic Conference, Big East, Mountain West, WNBA, NWSL, CONCACAF, Serie A, as well as Army and Navy, PBR, Big 3 and many more. He also works closely with Showtime Sports, CBSSports.com and Paramount+.
Before joining CBS Sports, Weinberg served as Vice President, Licensing, Major League Baseball, where he managed licensing for all hard goods, including trading cards, video games and novelties, oversaw corporate partnerships with approximately 200 authorized licensees in multiple product categories and managed contract negotiations.
Prior to Major League Baseball, Weinberg spent four years at Six Flags, where he was Vice President of Entertainment, overseeing all entertainment and licensing for the parks. He created and managed live entertainment across the park system, negotiated third party vendor contracts for major show projects, partnered with Dick Clark Productions’ music archives to create films for the park theaters and coordinated the production of several original features for the Six Flags TV network. Weinberg also managed multi-million dollar licensing partnerships with entertainment brands such as Warner Brothers, DC Comics and MTV.
Weinberg began his career as a production assistant at ESPN, working in various capacities during his 12 years at the company. He served as Executive Producer, ESPN Original Entertainment, where he created content to serve the company’s emerging media networks. And he was Coordinating Producer, ESPN Classic, where his responsibilities included overseeing more than 50 documentary-style programs.
Weinberg is a graduate of Cornell University (B.S. in Communication) and lives in Westfield, N.J. with his wife and four children.
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Ndidi Massay
CBS Sports
In her role as Vice President of Workplace Culture and Diversity Initiatives for CBS Sports, Ndidi Massay drives the strategic planning, development, execution and measurement of CBS Sports’ initiatives for a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. Among her responsibilities is developing and executing tailored strategies, programs, and experiences that include diverse staffing, education, training, employee development, community engagement, social impact, and diverse content that together, cultivate a diverse and inclusive culture while promoting real transformation within CBS Sports. Additionally, Ndidi works closely with the Paramount Offices of Global Inclusion and Corporate Social Responsibility to align CBS Sports with Paramount Global efforts.
Ndidi joined CBS Sports after running her own consulting business where she provided Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) counsel, services and training to corporate entities, national governing bodies and collegiate athletic departments. She also served as the Commissioner of the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), AKA the New York Boxing Commission, for 5 years, where she set and regulated policies that govern professional combat sports to ensure safe and fair play throughout the state. Before joining the NYSAC, Massay helped launch the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE), a nonprofit organization that works to improve race relations throughout sports by promoting understanding, respect and equality. Prior to RISE, Massay was a DEI consultant for the NFL where she advised senior management on diversity and inclusion trends, best practices and talent engagement strategies.
Ndidi also spent time as a business affairs executive for ABC News and both a business operations executive and editorial advisor for ESPN. Earlier in her career, she specialized in sports and entertainment law matters as an attorney.
Currently a member of the USA Wrestling Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Big Ten Conference Equality Coalition, Ndidi has served on numerous boards, including the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Sports Section, RISE and Beat the Streets New York. She is also a member of the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) and Women in Sports and Events (WISE). Massay has been recognized as a Betsy Magnes graduate, Game Changer by the Sports Business Journal, Top Women in Media by Cynopsis, one of the 100 most influential Black women in Sports by Sport Illustrated Ell-evate and a Big Ten Conference Impact Pioneer.
Ndidi received a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, where she led the softball team to the NCAA World Series as a catcher. She was inducted into Northwestern’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009. She also received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Notre Dame School of Law, where she served as an assistant softball coach. Ndidi is admitted to practice law in New York and California.
Ndidi resides in New York with her husband, Marc, and sons Miles and Mateo.
In her role as Vice President of Workplace Culture and Diversity Initiatives for CBS Sports, Ndidi Massay drives the strategic planning, development, execution and measurement of CBS Sports’ initiatives for a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. Among her responsibilities is developing and executing tailored strategies, programs, and experiences that include diverse staffing, education, training, employee development, community engagement, social impact, and diverse content that together, cultivate a diverse and inclusive culture while promoting real transformation within CBS Sports. Additionally, Ndidi works closely with the Paramount Offices of Global Inclusion and Corporate Social Responsibility to align CBS Sports with Paramount Global efforts.
Ndidi joined CBS Sports after running her own consulting business where she provided Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) counsel, services and training to corporate entities, national governing bodies and collegiate athletic departments. She also served as the Commissioner of the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), AKA the New York Boxing Commission, for 5 years, where she set and regulated policies that govern professional combat sports to ensure safe and fair play throughout the state. Before joining the NYSAC, Massay helped launch the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE), a nonprofit organization that works to improve race relations throughout sports by promoting understanding, respect and equality. Prior to RISE, Massay was a DEI consultant for the NFL where she advised senior management on diversity and inclusion trends, best practices and talent engagement strategies.
Ndidi also spent time as a business affairs executive for ABC News and both a business operations executive and editorial advisor for ESPN. Earlier in her career, she specialized in sports and entertainment law matters as an attorney.
Currently a member of the USA Wrestling Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Big Ten Conference Equality Coalition, Ndidi has served on numerous boards, including the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Sports Section, RISE and Beat the Streets New York. She is also a member of the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) and Women in Sports and Events (WISE). Massay has been recognized as a Betsy Magnes graduate, Game Changer by the Sports Business Journal, Top Women in Media by Cynopsis, one of the 100 most influential Black women in Sports by Sport Illustrated Ell-evate and a Big Ten Conference Impact Pioneer.
Ndidi received a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, where she led the softball team to the NCAA World Series as a catcher. She was inducted into Northwestern’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009. She also received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Notre Dame School of Law, where she served as an assistant softball coach. Ndidi is admitted to practice law in New York and California.
Ndidi resides in New York with her husband, Marc, and sons Miles and Mateo.
CBS Sports Executives
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CBS News and Stations
Brand Assets
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Wendy McMahon
CBS News and Stations
August 2023
A highly accomplished media executive with a record of driving audience growth and business success across all broadcast, digital and streaming platforms, Wendy McMahon is president and chief executive officer of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures (CMV). She assumed this newly created and expanded role that includes singular oversight of CBS News and Stations as well as leadership of CBS’ domestic syndication business in August 2023.
McMahon leads all of CBS News’ broadcast and streaming operations, 27 local television stations, 14 local news streaming channels and CMV’s top-rated first-run syndication programming, as well as its content licensing to television stations and the division’s national advertising sales business. Prior to assuming this role, she served as president and co-head of CBS News and Stations, since May 2021, and shared responsibility for bringing together for the first time the people and resources of CBS News, CBS News Digital and CBS Television Stations to create the leading local-to-global news organization in the United States.
Under McMahon’s leadership, CBS has reimagined its approach to operating the Company’s television stations in 17 major U.S. markets, the stations’ websites and mobile platforms, local news streaming channels, and Newspath, the CBS Television Network’s affiliate news service.
Embracing what she calls “The Three C’s: Content, Culture and Community,” McMahon has championed initiatives that have increased the local news hours produced by CBS Stations from 26,000 in 2021 to more than 35,000 in 2023 – with an emphasis on solutions-oriented community journalism that aligns with the stations’ mission of making the markets they serve better places to live. The station group’s expansion efforts also include the creation of the CBS Local News Innovation Lab in Dallas-Fort Worth, where a curated team of journalists produce next-generation storytelling and investigations that leverage data and technology to deepen viewer engagement; the “Newsroom of the Future” at CBS News Detroit; and the first-ever morning news franchise at KCAL in Los Angeles.
Under McMahon, CBS News and Stations has prioritized diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, hired and promoted several women and/or people of color to serve in key roles and dramatically improved the workplace environment for all of its team members.
In the past year, McMahon has been recognized for her leadership by being named as one of Variety’s Women’s Impact Report honorees and a Wonder Woman of Los Angeles by Multichannel News and Broadcasting & Cable.
Prior to returning to CBS in 2021, McMahon was president of the ABC Owned Television Stations, with direct responsibility for the Walt Disney Company’s eight broadcast stations, local newsrooms and streaming assets. Before that, she was the senior vice president of ABC Owned Television Stations’ Digital, where she crafted a multiplatform future for the group and was responsible for leading digital content, products and technology, and audience development strategies and initiatives.
Previously, McMahon served as vice president of marketing at KABC in Los Angeles and as a creative services director at CBS-owned stations WBZ in Boston and WCCO in Minneapolis-St. Paul. She began her career as a promotion manager for WTOC in Savannah, Ga.
In 2019, McMahon was named the Young Alumna of the Year by her alma mater, Louisiana State University, and the Digital Leader of the Year by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). Throughout her career, her teams have received numerous Emmys, Associated Press and regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, as well as National Murrow Awards during each of the last three years: (2020, Breaking News), (2021, Best Newscast) and (2022, Investigative Reporting). Her creative teams have also been honored with several Promax, Telly and Broadcast Design Awards for excellence in marketing and brand development.
McMahon graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication – broadcast journalism. She is married to William Burton and they are proud parents of an 11-year-old son.
August 2023
A highly accomplished media executive with a record of driving audience growth and business success across all broadcast, digital and streaming platforms, Wendy McMahon is president and chief executive officer of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures (CMV). She assumed this newly created and expanded role that includes singular oversight of CBS News and Stations as well as leadership of CBS’ domestic syndication business in August 2023.
McMahon leads all of CBS News’ broadcast and streaming operations, 27 local television stations, 14 local news streaming channels and CMV’s top-rated first-run syndication programming, as well as its content licensing to television stations and the division’s national advertising sales business. Prior to assuming this role, she served as president and co-head of CBS News and Stations, since May 2021, and shared responsibility for bringing together for the first time the people and resources of CBS News, CBS News Digital and CBS Television Stations to create the leading local-to-global news organization in the United States.
Under McMahon’s leadership, CBS has reimagined its approach to operating the Company’s television stations in 17 major U.S. markets, the stations’ websites and mobile platforms, local news streaming channels, and Newspath, the CBS Television Network’s affiliate news service.
Embracing what she calls “The Three C’s: Content, Culture and Community,” McMahon has championed initiatives that have increased the local news hours produced by CBS Stations from 26,000 in 2021 to more than 35,000 in 2023 – with an emphasis on solutions-oriented community journalism that aligns with the stations’ mission of making the markets they serve better places to live. The station group’s expansion efforts also include the creation of the CBS Local News Innovation Lab in Dallas-Fort Worth, where a curated team of journalists produce next-generation storytelling and investigations that leverage data and technology to deepen viewer engagement; the “Newsroom of the Future” at CBS News Detroit; and the first-ever morning news franchise at KCAL in Los Angeles.
Under McMahon, CBS News and Stations has prioritized diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, hired and promoted several women and/or people of color to serve in key roles and dramatically improved the workplace environment for all of its team members.
In the past year, McMahon has been recognized for her leadership by being named as one of Variety’s Women’s Impact Report honorees and a Wonder Woman of Los Angeles by Multichannel News and Broadcasting & Cable.
Prior to returning to CBS in 2021, McMahon was president of the ABC Owned Television Stations, with direct responsibility for the Walt Disney Company’s eight broadcast stations, local newsrooms and streaming assets. Before that, she was the senior vice president of ABC Owned Television Stations’ Digital, where she crafted a multiplatform future for the group and was responsible for leading digital content, products and technology, and audience development strategies and initiatives.
Previously, McMahon served as vice president of marketing at KABC in Los Angeles and as a creative services director at CBS-owned stations WBZ in Boston and WCCO in Minneapolis-St. Paul. She began her career as a promotion manager for WTOC in Savannah, Ga.
In 2019, McMahon was named the Young Alumna of the Year by her alma mater, Louisiana State University, and the Digital Leader of the Year by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). Throughout her career, her teams have received numerous Emmys, Associated Press and regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, as well as National Murrow Awards during each of the last three years: (2020, Breaking News), (2021, Best Newscast) and (2022, Investigative Reporting). Her creative teams have also been honored with several Promax, Telly and Broadcast Design Awards for excellence in marketing and brand development.
McMahon graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication – broadcast journalism. She is married to William Burton and they are proud parents of an 11-year-old son.
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Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews
CBS News and Stations
November 2023
Ingrid Ciprián-Matthews was named president of CBS News in August 2023.
In her new role, Ciprián-Matthews has top editorial oversight for CBS News across all platforms, including all broadcast and streaming programs, all digital and radio editorial content, as well as global newsgathering, standards and practices, race and culture and more.
An award-winning journalist and newsroom leader, Ciprián-Matthews is the first Latina to hold that job and only the second woman in the company’s history to head up the Network News operation.
During her three decades at CBS News, Ciprián-Matthews has helped shape the coverage seen and heard by millions of viewers daily. She has guided CBS News’ reporting of many of the major news events of the modern era, from the COVID-19 pandemic, presidential elections, countless mass shootings, the war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, the bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania; numerous bombings in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan; liberation movements and the Arab Spring from Tunisia to Egypt; the nuclear challenge from both Iran and North Korea; and deadly earthquakes in China, Haiti and Chile.
Before being named president of CBS News, Ciprián-Matthews served as executive vice president of newsgathering at CBS News where she oversaw Network newsgathering worldwide, including all domestic and international bureaus.
Ciprián-Matthews previously served as executive vice president and CBS News Washington bureau chief. In that position, she was responsible for CBS News’ coverage during the 2020 presidential campaign and the CBS News Decision Desk.
Throughout her distinguished career, Ciprián-Matthews has held several senior management roles and managed teams across the globe.
She has served as an executive vice president for CBS News since 2018, first as the head of strategic professional development, where she focused on recruitment and development of off-air talent to attract and retain the best workforce for CBS News. As part of CBS News’ senior executive leadership team, Ciprián-Matthews also worked tirelessly to shepherd new initiatives focused on enhancing CBS News’ culture.
She was CBS News’ executive vice president of news (2018-2019), senior vice president of news administration (2015-2018), and vice president of news (2011-2015), a role in which she coordinated all day-to-day news coverage. Before that, she served as CBS News’ foreign editor (2006-2011), senior broadcast producer for the CBS EVENING NEWS (2004-2006) and senior producer for CBS News’ foreign coverage (2000-2004). In 1998, she became the deputy bureau chief for the CBS News London bureau (1998-2000) and served as senior broadcast producer for CBS News’ morning broadcasts from 1994-1998. She joined CBS News in 1993 as a senior producer for live segments for the morning news.
Before joining CBS News, Ciprián-Matthews was the managing editor of CNN’s New York bureau (1990-1993) and a field producer, assignment manager and assignment editor for CNN (1984-1990).
She started her career as a general assignment reporter for the National Public Radio Spanish-language news program “Enfoque Nacional.”
Ciprián-Matthews is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and the recipient of an Alfred I. duPont Award for CBS News’ coverage of the Newtown tragedy. In 2016, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists presented Ciprián-Matthews with the Presidential Award of Impact, citing her exceptional news experience and deep commitment to journalistic excellence.
Ciprián-Matthews has also served in several high-profile leadership positions outside of the organization, including on the advisory board for the International Women’s Media Foundation, News Leaders Association (formerly the American Society of News Editors and AP Media Editors), the Freedom Forum Institute’s Power Shift Project and the Paramount Veterans Network Advisory Council.
Ciprián-Matthews was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In 1981, she received a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College and graduated from New York University in 1984 with a master’s degree in journalism.
November 2023
Ingrid Ciprián-Matthews was named president of CBS News in August 2023.
In her new role, Ciprián-Matthews has top editorial oversight for CBS News across all platforms, including all broadcast and streaming programs, all digital and radio editorial content, as well as global newsgathering, standards and practices, race and culture and more.
An award-winning journalist and newsroom leader, Ciprián-Matthews is the first Latina to hold that job and only the second woman in the company’s history to head up the Network News operation.
During her three decades at CBS News, Ciprián-Matthews has helped shape the coverage seen and heard by millions of viewers daily. She has guided CBS News’ reporting of many of the major news events of the modern era, from the COVID-19 pandemic, presidential elections, countless mass shootings, the war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, the bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania; numerous bombings in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan; liberation movements and the Arab Spring from Tunisia to Egypt; the nuclear challenge from both Iran and North Korea; and deadly earthquakes in China, Haiti and Chile.
Before being named president of CBS News, Ciprián-Matthews served as executive vice president of newsgathering at CBS News where she oversaw Network newsgathering worldwide, including all domestic and international bureaus.
Ciprián-Matthews previously served as executive vice president and CBS News Washington bureau chief. In that position, she was responsible for CBS News’ coverage during the 2020 presidential campaign and the CBS News Decision Desk.
Throughout her distinguished career, Ciprián-Matthews has held several senior management roles and managed teams across the globe.
She has served as an executive vice president for CBS News since 2018, first as the head of strategic professional development, where she focused on recruitment and development of off-air talent to attract and retain the best workforce for CBS News. As part of CBS News’ senior executive leadership team, Ciprián-Matthews also worked tirelessly to shepherd new initiatives focused on enhancing CBS News’ culture.
She was CBS News’ executive vice president of news (2018-2019), senior vice president of news administration (2015-2018), and vice president of news (2011-2015), a role in which she coordinated all day-to-day news coverage. Before that, she served as CBS News’ foreign editor (2006-2011), senior broadcast producer for the CBS EVENING NEWS (2004-2006) and senior producer for CBS News’ foreign coverage (2000-2004). In 1998, she became the deputy bureau chief for the CBS News London bureau (1998-2000) and served as senior broadcast producer for CBS News’ morning broadcasts from 1994-1998. She joined CBS News in 1993 as a senior producer for live segments for the morning news.
Before joining CBS News, Ciprián-Matthews was the managing editor of CNN’s New York bureau (1990-1993) and a field producer, assignment manager and assignment editor for CNN (1984-1990).
She started her career as a general assignment reporter for the National Public Radio Spanish-language news program “Enfoque Nacional.”
Ciprián-Matthews is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and the recipient of an Alfred I. duPont Award for CBS News’ coverage of the Newtown tragedy. In 2016, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists presented Ciprián-Matthews with the Presidential Award of Impact, citing her exceptional news experience and deep commitment to journalistic excellence.
Ciprián-Matthews has also served in several high-profile leadership positions outside of the organization, including on the advisory board for the International Women’s Media Foundation, News Leaders Association (formerly the American Society of News Editors and AP Media Editors), the Freedom Forum Institute’s Power Shift Project and the Paramount Veterans Network Advisory Council.
Ciprián-Matthews was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In 1981, she received a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College and graduated from New York University in 1984 with a master’s degree in journalism.
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Adrienne Roark
CBS News and Stations
November 2023
Veteran CBS executive Adrienne Roark was named president of content development and integration for CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures in October 2023. In this role, she reports to Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures, and is responsible for bringing together the teams across these businesses to create and share content to grow audience reach and impact, industry leadership and organizational effectiveness. In addition, Roark, who is based in New York, continues to oversee CBS-owned stations in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Miami, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Roark assumed her current role after serving as president of CBS Stations beginning in August 2021. In addition to leading stations in the eastern half of the country, she was responsible for overseeing the creation and launch of the “Newsroom of the Future” and CBS News Detroit, a local news organization that was built from the ground up with a streaming-first mentality, at WWJ-TV in January 2023. She also continues to oversee the CBS Local News Innovation Lab, which is based in Dallas-Fort Worth, where since 2022 a curated team of CBS News and Stations employees has been empowered to experiment with next-generation storytelling, including data journalism, and test new products, workflows and production models.
Most recently, Roark has overseen CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures’ investments in data journalism as well as investigative and environmental reporting, including weather technology and climate coverage, in ways that benefit all of CBS News, Stations and Media Ventures’ brands.
Roark rejoined CBS in 2021 after spending seven years in Portland, first as general manager of CBS affiliate KOIN-TV, beginning in 2014; then as general manager of Fox affiliate KPTV-TV and MyNetwork station KPDX-TV since 2016.
Prior to that, Roark served for four years as vice president and news director at KTVT-TV and KTXA-TV, the CBS-owned stations in Dallas-Fort Worth. She joined CBS Stations in 2007 as assistant news director at WFOR-TV and WBFS-TV in Miami. Six months later, she was promoted to news director. While in Miami, she created an award-winning investigative unit, worked closely with CBS News’ 60 MINUTES on a Medicare fraud story and was responsible for the first on-air news story shot entirely with an iPhone.
Roark’s news background also includes positions with WESH-TV in Orlando, WTVJ-TV in Miami, WKYC-TV in Cleveland and WCMH-TV in Columbus, Ohio. An Ohio native, she began her career at WBNS-TV, the CBS affiliate in Columbus, after graduating from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
Roark is a Poynter Ethics Fellow and Carole Kneeland Fellowship alum. She has long been active in community organizations – she served as the board chair of the Boys and Girls Club of Portland and held board positions with Sport Oregon, Veterans’ Legacies, the Dougy Center and the Oregon Association of Broadcasters. Roark is a three-time regional Emmy award winner and has received six regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Roark and her husband, Dave, are the proud parents of two sons, Alex and Stephen.
November 2023
Veteran CBS executive Adrienne Roark was named president of content development and integration for CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures in October 2023. In this role, she reports to Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures, and is responsible for bringing together the teams across these businesses to create and share content to grow audience reach and impact, industry leadership and organizational effectiveness. In addition, Roark, who is based in New York, continues to oversee CBS-owned stations in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Miami, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Roark assumed her current role after serving as president of CBS Stations beginning in August 2021. In addition to leading stations in the eastern half of the country, she was responsible for overseeing the creation and launch of the “Newsroom of the Future” and CBS News Detroit, a local news organization that was built from the ground up with a streaming-first mentality, at WWJ-TV in January 2023. She also continues to oversee the CBS Local News Innovation Lab, which is based in Dallas-Fort Worth, where since 2022 a curated team of CBS News and Stations employees has been empowered to experiment with next-generation storytelling, including data journalism, and test new products, workflows and production models.
Most recently, Roark has overseen CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures’ investments in data journalism as well as investigative and environmental reporting, including weather technology and climate coverage, in ways that benefit all of CBS News, Stations and Media Ventures’ brands.
Roark rejoined CBS in 2021 after spending seven years in Portland, first as general manager of CBS affiliate KOIN-TV, beginning in 2014; then as general manager of Fox affiliate KPTV-TV and MyNetwork station KPDX-TV since 2016.
Prior to that, Roark served for four years as vice president and news director at KTVT-TV and KTXA-TV, the CBS-owned stations in Dallas-Fort Worth. She joined CBS Stations in 2007 as assistant news director at WFOR-TV and WBFS-TV in Miami. Six months later, she was promoted to news director. While in Miami, she created an award-winning investigative unit, worked closely with CBS News’ 60 MINUTES on a Medicare fraud story and was responsible for the first on-air news story shot entirely with an iPhone.
Roark’s news background also includes positions with WESH-TV in Orlando, WTVJ-TV in Miami, WKYC-TV in Cleveland and WCMH-TV in Columbus, Ohio. An Ohio native, she began her career at WBNS-TV, the CBS affiliate in Columbus, after graduating from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
Roark is a Poynter Ethics Fellow and Carole Kneeland Fellowship alum. She has long been active in community organizations – she served as the board chair of the Boys and Girls Club of Portland and held board positions with Sport Oregon, Veterans’ Legacies, the Dougy Center and the Oregon Association of Broadcasters. Roark is a three-time regional Emmy award winner and has received six regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Roark and her husband, Dave, are the proud parents of two sons, Alex and Stephen.
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Jennifer Mitchell
CBS News and Stations
November 2023
Jennifer Mitchell is the president of CBS Stations (West Coast - Midwest), where she oversees station operations in 11 of CBS’ 17 markets, working closely with the stations’ general managers and their teams.
Mitchell has a wealth of experience developing and leading audience-focused digital content strategies and is a driving force of innovation across CBS Stations’ newsrooms, streaming and digital platforms. Additionally, she provides leadership and business support to the teams at the CBS-owned independent stations in Atlanta, Seattle and Tampa.
In Mitchell’s first two years with CBS Stations, she rolled out a strategic operations plan that included launching a nine-hour morning show on KCAL News on CBS Los Angeles and launching a community journalism team providing hyperlocal coverage across multiple Denver communities on CBS Colorado. Under Mitchell, the CBS-owned stations are experiencing momentous streaming success, moving to #1 or #2 in all markets. In 2023, CBS Stations was named “Station Group of the Year” by Broadcasting and Cable for the first time.
Mitchell’s expertise in driving innovation is further exemplified in her innovative work at CBS Bay Area, where she collaborated closely with the general manager and station team to roll out an AR/VR weather forecasting and experiential storytelling program to report the weather in a first-of-its-kind format.
Mitchell joined CBS Stations in September 2021 after 22 years at ABC Owned Television Stations as senior vice president of content development, where she was responsible for creating and executing multiplatform content vision and strategies across the station group’s eight local stations. While there, she created and launched the award-winning digital-native lifestyle brand Localish, and transformed it to long-form programming.
She also co-created ABC’s race and culture content team, hiring a team of executive producers and multi-skilled journalists. She was responsible for launching the award-winning inaugural docuseries “Our America: Living While Black.”
While at ABC Owned Television Stations, she led the creative and production of the first 10 “Our America” series, which covered essential topics impacting diverse communities while celebrating and amplifying their voices. Mitchell held several other leadership roles, including vice president of digital creative content. Her experience includes 15 years with KGO-TV, the ABC-owned station in San Francisco.
In 2020, Mitchell received the News Innovator of the Year award from the Local Media Association for leading the content strategies and original, digital content production for nonlinear platforms across the ABC Owned Television Stations and driving new content and revenue opportunities. In 2019, Mitchell was recognized by TVNewsCheck with the 2019 Innovator Award – the highest distinction among TVNewsCheck’s annual Social Media Excellence Awards.
Mitchell earned a bachelor’s in broadcast journalism and social psychology from Ithaca College. She is based on the West Coast.
November 2023
Jennifer Mitchell is the president of CBS Stations (West Coast - Midwest), where she oversees station operations in 11 of CBS’ 17 markets, working closely with the stations’ general managers and their teams.
Mitchell has a wealth of experience developing and leading audience-focused digital content strategies and is a driving force of innovation across CBS Stations’ newsrooms, streaming and digital platforms. Additionally, she provides leadership and business support to the teams at the CBS-owned independent stations in Atlanta, Seattle and Tampa.
In Mitchell’s first two years with CBS Stations, she rolled out a strategic operations plan that included launching a nine-hour morning show on KCAL News on CBS Los Angeles and launching a community journalism team providing hyperlocal coverage across multiple Denver communities on CBS Colorado. Under Mitchell, the CBS-owned stations are experiencing momentous streaming success, moving to #1 or #2 in all markets. In 2023, CBS Stations was named “Station Group of the Year” by Broadcasting and Cable for the first time.
Mitchell’s expertise in driving innovation is further exemplified in her innovative work at CBS Bay Area, where she collaborated closely with the general manager and station team to roll out an AR/VR weather forecasting and experiential storytelling program to report the weather in a first-of-its-kind format.
Mitchell joined CBS Stations in September 2021 after 22 years at ABC Owned Television Stations as senior vice president of content development, where she was responsible for creating and executing multiplatform content vision and strategies across the station group’s eight local stations. While there, she created and launched the award-winning digital-native lifestyle brand Localish, and transformed it to long-form programming.
She also co-created ABC’s race and culture content team, hiring a team of executive producers and multi-skilled journalists. She was responsible for launching the award-winning inaugural docuseries “Our America: Living While Black.”
While at ABC Owned Television Stations, she led the creative and production of the first 10 “Our America” series, which covered essential topics impacting diverse communities while celebrating and amplifying their voices. Mitchell held several other leadership roles, including vice president of digital creative content. Her experience includes 15 years with KGO-TV, the ABC-owned station in San Francisco.
In 2020, Mitchell received the News Innovator of the Year award from the Local Media Association for leading the content strategies and original, digital content production for nonlinear platforms across the ABC Owned Television Stations and driving new content and revenue opportunities. In 2019, Mitchell was recognized by TVNewsCheck with the 2019 Innovator Award – the highest distinction among TVNewsCheck’s annual Social Media Excellence Awards.
Mitchell earned a bachelor’s in broadcast journalism and social psychology from Ithaca College. She is based on the West Coast.
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Ross Dagan
CBS News and Stations
August 2023
Veteran global news executive Ross Dagan is executive vice president and head of news operations and transformation for CBS News and Stations.
In this senior leadership role, Dagan oversees all the news operations, engineering and technology functions across CBS News and Stations, reporting to Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures. He is tasked with innovation and transformation across news and stations.
Dagan joined CBS News and Stations in 2021 after having most recently served as network director of news content at Network 10, the Paramount-owned network based in Sydney, Australia, since 2018. While there, he oversaw major editorial and operational changes, positioning the network to optimize workflows and evolve technology to improve processes.
A veteran of more than 30 years as a journalist and news executive, Dagan had previously been the network’s director of news, based in Sydney and Brisbane, Australia, where he had day-to-day responsibility for the network’s news programming in those markets from 2007-2012.
Dagan’s background also includes a combined five years with Al Jazeera English, the first English-language international news channel to be headquartered in the Middle East. He most recently served as executive producer from 2015-2018. During that time, he was instrumental in the evolution of how editorial content was produced, presented and shared across platforms, launching the first new news programming in a decade. From 2006-2008, he served as program editor of Al Jazeera English, as a senior member of the leadership team in Kuala Lumpur for the launch of the network.
Dagan has also served two stints with the Seven Network in Australia, including as director of news, based in Brisbane, from 2013-2015, and director of news for Seven Queensland from 2001-2005.
His background includes working for Television New Zealand (TVNZ) as head of news and current affairs and Maori and Pacific programs, based in Auckland, from 2012-2013.
Dagan earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern Queensland, and received his MBA from the Queensland University of Technology.
Dagan is based in New York with his wife, Michelle.
August 2023
Veteran global news executive Ross Dagan is executive vice president and head of news operations and transformation for CBS News and Stations.
In this senior leadership role, Dagan oversees all the news operations, engineering and technology functions across CBS News and Stations, reporting to Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures. He is tasked with innovation and transformation across news and stations.
Dagan joined CBS News and Stations in 2021 after having most recently served as network director of news content at Network 10, the Paramount-owned network based in Sydney, Australia, since 2018. While there, he oversaw major editorial and operational changes, positioning the network to optimize workflows and evolve technology to improve processes.
A veteran of more than 30 years as a journalist and news executive, Dagan had previously been the network’s director of news, based in Sydney and Brisbane, Australia, where he had day-to-day responsibility for the network’s news programming in those markets from 2007-2012.
Dagan’s background also includes a combined five years with Al Jazeera English, the first English-language international news channel to be headquartered in the Middle East. He most recently served as executive producer from 2015-2018. During that time, he was instrumental in the evolution of how editorial content was produced, presented and shared across platforms, launching the first new news programming in a decade. From 2006-2008, he served as program editor of Al Jazeera English, as a senior member of the leadership team in Kuala Lumpur for the launch of the network.
Dagan has also served two stints with the Seven Network in Australia, including as director of news, based in Brisbane, from 2013-2015, and director of news for Seven Queensland from 2001-2005.
His background includes working for Television New Zealand (TVNZ) as head of news and current affairs and Maori and Pacific programs, based in Auckland, from 2012-2013.
Dagan earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern Queensland, and received his MBA from the Queensland University of Technology.
Dagan is based in New York with his wife, Michelle.
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Brian Applegate
CBS News and Stations
September 2021
Brian Applegate is the executive producer of CBS SATURDAY MORNING, a role he has held since February 2019. Applegate has been with the program since 2013 and previously served as the show’s senior broadcast producer.
Since joining CBS SATURDAY MORNING, Applegate has transformed the broadcast into a home for long-form storytelling and a showcase for emerging talent. Each week, in addition to the day’s news, the show tries to expose viewers to new voices in the world of art, literature, food and music. In 2014 Applegate launched CBS SATURDAY MORNING’s “Saturday Sessions” segment, which has now become a highly respected go-to segment for new bands and legendary musicians. The program’s “The Dish” segment won the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Television Segment.
In 2013 Applegate served as senior broadcast producer of “CBS This Morning” where, in addition to the daily broadcast, he also oversaw the Network’s breaking news coverage of the manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombing suspects.
Prior to that, Applegate was executive producer of CBS News’ overnight broadcast “Up to the Minute” and the CBS MORNING NEWS. He was responsible for the Network’s overnight breaking news cut-ins, including the death of Ted Kennedy and the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Applegate joined CBS News in 2008 as a senior producer for “Up to the Minute” after three years as a WCBS-TV producer. Prior to that position, he was a producer at the NBC affiliate WHDH-TV where he won a regional Edward R Murrow Award for Breaking News. He began his career at WSTM in Syracuse, N.Y.
September 2021
Brian Applegate is the executive producer of CBS SATURDAY MORNING, a role he has held since February 2019. Applegate has been with the program since 2013 and previously served as the show’s senior broadcast producer.
Since joining CBS SATURDAY MORNING, Applegate has transformed the broadcast into a home for long-form storytelling and a showcase for emerging talent. Each week, in addition to the day’s news, the show tries to expose viewers to new voices in the world of art, literature, food and music. In 2014 Applegate launched CBS SATURDAY MORNING’s “Saturday Sessions” segment, which has now become a highly respected go-to segment for new bands and legendary musicians. The program’s “The Dish” segment won the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Television Segment.
In 2013 Applegate served as senior broadcast producer of “CBS This Morning” where, in addition to the daily broadcast, he also oversaw the Network’s breaking news coverage of the manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombing suspects.
Prior to that, Applegate was executive producer of CBS News’ overnight broadcast “Up to the Minute” and the CBS MORNING NEWS. He was responsible for the Network’s overnight breaking news cut-ins, including the death of Ted Kennedy and the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Applegate joined CBS News in 2008 as a senior producer for “Up to the Minute” after three years as a WCBS-TV producer. Prior to that position, he was a producer at the NBC affiliate WHDH-TV where he won a regional Edward R Murrow Award for Breaking News. He began his career at WSTM in Syracuse, N.Y.
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Stacey Benson
CBS News and Stations
July 2020
Stacey Benson is the Chief Financial Officer of CBS News, where she is responsible for all of the News division’s financial operations.
Benson joined CBS News from ViacomCBS’ Global Media Operations division, where she served as Senior Vice President of Finance and was responsible for the financial operations and consolidation of Global Media Operations, including financial and strategic support to the leadership team.
Previously, Benson served as Senior Vice President of Finance at CBS Radio for 15 years, where she oversaw all financial operations, in addition to leading the division through its initial public offering preparation and its sale to Entercom in 2017.
Benson began her tenure at CBS Radio in 2002 as a controller and steadily increased her responsibilities and role within the division. She was named Vice President, Controller in 2006 and held that position until 2011. She was named Senior Vice President of Finance in 2012.
Prior to CBS Radio, Benson was a controller with Scient, Inc., a New York business and technology consulting firm. Earlier in her career, she was an accounting manager with Frontline Capital Group in New York. Before that, she was an accounting supervisor and real estate accountant with HQ Global Workplaces, Inc.
Benson earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in accounting from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.
July 2020
Stacey Benson is the Chief Financial Officer of CBS News, where she is responsible for all of the News division’s financial operations.
Benson joined CBS News from ViacomCBS’ Global Media Operations division, where she served as Senior Vice President of Finance and was responsible for the financial operations and consolidation of Global Media Operations, including financial and strategic support to the leadership team.
Previously, Benson served as Senior Vice President of Finance at CBS Radio for 15 years, where she oversaw all financial operations, in addition to leading the division through its initial public offering preparation and its sale to Entercom in 2017.
Benson began her tenure at CBS Radio in 2002 as a controller and steadily increased her responsibilities and role within the division. She was named Vice President, Controller in 2006 and held that position until 2011. She was named Senior Vice President of Finance in 2012.
Prior to CBS Radio, Benson was a controller with Scient, Inc., a New York business and technology consulting firm. Earlier in her career, she was an accounting manager with Frontline Capital Group in New York. Before that, she was an accounting supervisor and real estate accountant with HQ Global Workplaces, Inc.
Benson earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in accounting from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.
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Anthony Galloway
CBS News and Stations
April 2022
Anthony Galloway is the senior vice president of CBS News Streaming. He began his new role in February 2022.
Galloway has oversight of the day-to-day programming and production of the CBS News Streaming Network, the 24/7 anchored streaming news service from CBS News and Stations that is available free to everyone with access to the internet.
Galloway is an award-winning digital and broadcast news executive with more than two decades of news experience. He joined CBS News from The Wall Street Journal, where he most recently held the newsroom role of chief content officer, editorial video, audio and voice programming. In that job, Galloway led video and audio production teams across three continents to produce daily news, feature and long-form documentary programming for the company’s digital video, social media, streaming and podcasting platforms. During his tenure, Galloway led the team to double the organization’s video viewership and podcast audience, in addition to earning the organization’s first Emmy Award. Galloway was the editorial lead for the WSJ’s partnerships with YouTube, Google and Twitter, and he helped develop the organization’s first streaming television projects with Netflix and Apple TV+, as well as a daily podcast with Spotify’s Gimlet Media.
Before the WSJ, Galloway was vice president of digital video programming at Condé Nast Entertainment, where he oversaw the production of video content inspired by the publishing company’s iconic brands. Earlier, he was executive producer for mobile content at Vice Media, where he developed daily and recurring series for Vice’s mobile, digital and social platforms. While there, he served as the executive producer of Vice’s first daily digital series, “Daily Vice.”
Galloway spent 15 years at NBC News. In his most recent role, Galloway was a supervising producer where he oversaw production of original digital, short-form and long-form video content for “Today,” “NBC Nightly News,” “Dateline” and NBCNews.com. There, he developed digital series and led control room production of live segments during primetime breaking news specials, and he produced NBC News’ first live webcast from Tehran, Iran.
His career at NBC News included working on journalist Ann Curry’s producing team, where he oversaw and produced high-profile projects and interviews with world leaders. He also produced a series of documentaries for “Dateline.” Galloway worked in NBC News’ primetime unit as a digital coordinating producer and was later promoted to digital supervising producer, where he launched and led the network’s digital-first newsmagazine.
Galloway oversaw NBC’s live, primetime news coverage of the 2011 tornado outbreak, President Barack Obama’s address to the nation following the 2012 movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo. and live reports on the night of the Boston Marathon bombing. Galloway began his career at NBC News in 2000 as a news associate.
Galloway has earned several awards for his work, including multiple Emmy Awards and a Webby Award, and he was part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting team at The Wall Street Journal.
He is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Journalism.
April 2022
Anthony Galloway is the senior vice president of CBS News Streaming. He began his new role in February 2022.
Galloway has oversight of the day-to-day programming and production of the CBS News Streaming Network, the 24/7 anchored streaming news service from CBS News and Stations that is available free to everyone with access to the internet.
Galloway is an award-winning digital and broadcast news executive with more than two decades of news experience. He joined CBS News from The Wall Street Journal, where he most recently held the newsroom role of chief content officer, editorial video, audio and voice programming. In that job, Galloway led video and audio production teams across three continents to produce daily news, feature and long-form documentary programming for the company’s digital video, social media, streaming and podcasting platforms. During his tenure, Galloway led the team to double the organization’s video viewership and podcast audience, in addition to earning the organization’s first Emmy Award. Galloway was the editorial lead for the WSJ’s partnerships with YouTube, Google and Twitter, and he helped develop the organization’s first streaming television projects with Netflix and Apple TV+, as well as a daily podcast with Spotify’s Gimlet Media.
Before the WSJ, Galloway was vice president of digital video programming at Condé Nast Entertainment, where he oversaw the production of video content inspired by the publishing company’s iconic brands. Earlier, he was executive producer for mobile content at Vice Media, where he developed daily and recurring series for Vice’s mobile, digital and social platforms. While there, he served as the executive producer of Vice’s first daily digital series, “Daily Vice.”
Galloway spent 15 years at NBC News. In his most recent role, Galloway was a supervising producer where he oversaw production of original digital, short-form and long-form video content for “Today,” “NBC Nightly News,” “Dateline” and NBCNews.com. There, he developed digital series and led control room production of live segments during primetime breaking news specials, and he produced NBC News’ first live webcast from Tehran, Iran.
His career at NBC News included working on journalist Ann Curry’s producing team, where he oversaw and produced high-profile projects and interviews with world leaders. He also produced a series of documentaries for “Dateline.” Galloway worked in NBC News’ primetime unit as a digital coordinating producer and was later promoted to digital supervising producer, where he launched and led the network’s digital-first newsmagazine.
Galloway oversaw NBC’s live, primetime news coverage of the 2011 tornado outbreak, President Barack Obama’s address to the nation following the 2012 movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo. and live reports on the night of the Boston Marathon bombing. Galloway began his career at NBC News in 2000 as a news associate.
Galloway has earned several awards for his work, including multiple Emmy Awards and a Webby Award, and he was part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting team at The Wall Street Journal.
He is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Journalism.
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Mary Hager
CBS News and Stations
Mary Hager has served as executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning and #1 Sunday morning public affairs program FACE THE NATION since 2011, working with moderators Bob Schieffer, John Dickerson and Margaret Brennan. Hager is also CBS News’ executive editor for politics where she oversees the Network’s political coverage across its platforms.
Hager was named executive editor for politics at CBS News in January 2022. In this role, Hager brings her decades of political reporting and producing to overseeing CBS News’ political coverage across all of its platforms.
As executive producer for the second longest-running program on television, Hager has led the program to win multiple awards and recognitions including an Emmy Award for its 2013 coverage of the 50th anniversary of the JFK assassination; a 2019 Wilbur Award; a first place National Headliner Award for the program’s coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic; and the 2022 Radio Television Digital News Association “First Amendment” Award.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Hager has worked with the FACE THE NATION team and moderator Margaret Brennan to focus on the impact of the pandemic on every aspect of American life as well as the Trump and Biden administration’s response to the public health crisis. The broadcast has featured numerous interviews with lawmakers, local and federal elected officials, public health experts, doctors, economists, and world leaders about efforts to untangle society from the grip of the pandemic.
Prior to becoming executive producer, Hager was FACE THE NATION’s senior producer. Hager has covered virtually every presidential campaign, convention and election night over the past 30 years at CBS News, in capacities ranging from embed to anchor producer to executive producer of midterm coverage. She spent more than 15 years as CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer’s producer.
Throughout her career at CBS News, Hager has played a key role in the preparation of presidential debate moderators including serving as the lead editorial producer for John Dickerson during the two CBS News 2016 presidential primary debates, and the 2012 debate between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney hosted by the Commission on Presidential Debates and moderated by Bob Schieffer.
Hager began her career at CBS News in 1991 as a researcher in the CBS News political unit, and from there moved to Capitol Hill to work with Schieffer as Senate producer in 1993. In 1999, she moved to the Atlanta bureau, working with CBS News correspondents Byron Pitts and Mark Strassmann covering the southeast and 2000 campaign, including the presidential recount in Tallahassee.
In 2001, Hager returned to Washington as a producer on CBS EVENING NEWS, where she spent eight years covering Congress, politics, the 2004 Kerry campaign, and the George W. Bush White House. She moved to FACE THE NATION in 2009.
Hager is a graduate of the University of Virginia.
Mary Hager has served as executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning and #1 Sunday morning public affairs program FACE THE NATION since 2011, working with moderators Bob Schieffer, John Dickerson and Margaret Brennan. Hager is also CBS News’ executive editor for politics where she oversees the Network’s political coverage across its platforms.
Hager was named executive editor for politics at CBS News in January 2022. In this role, Hager brings her decades of political reporting and producing to overseeing CBS News’ political coverage across all of its platforms.
As executive producer for the second longest-running program on television, Hager has led the program to win multiple awards and recognitions including an Emmy Award for its 2013 coverage of the 50th anniversary of the JFK assassination; a 2019 Wilbur Award; a first place National Headliner Award for the program’s coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic; and the 2022 Radio Television Digital News Association “First Amendment” Award.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Hager has worked with the FACE THE NATION team and moderator Margaret Brennan to focus on the impact of the pandemic on every aspect of American life as well as the Trump and Biden administration’s response to the public health crisis. The broadcast has featured numerous interviews with lawmakers, local and federal elected officials, public health experts, doctors, economists, and world leaders about efforts to untangle society from the grip of the pandemic.
Prior to becoming executive producer, Hager was FACE THE NATION’s senior producer. Hager has covered virtually every presidential campaign, convention and election night over the past 30 years at CBS News, in capacities ranging from embed to anchor producer to executive producer of midterm coverage. She spent more than 15 years as CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer’s producer.
Throughout her career at CBS News, Hager has played a key role in the preparation of presidential debate moderators including serving as the lead editorial producer for John Dickerson during the two CBS News 2016 presidential primary debates, and the 2012 debate between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney hosted by the Commission on Presidential Debates and moderated by Bob Schieffer.
Hager began her career at CBS News in 1991 as a researcher in the CBS News political unit, and from there moved to Capitol Hill to work with Schieffer as Senate producer in 1993. In 1999, she moved to the Atlanta bureau, working with CBS News correspondents Byron Pitts and Mark Strassmann covering the southeast and 2000 campaign, including the presidential recount in Tallahassee.
In 2001, Hager returned to Washington as a producer on CBS EVENING NEWS, where she spent eight years covering Congress, politics, the 2004 Kerry campaign, and the George W. Bush White House. She moved to FACE THE NATION in 2009.
Hager is a graduate of the University of Virginia.
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Rick Jefferson
CBS News and Stations
August 2021
Rick Jefferson is Senior Vice President of News Operations at CBS News and is based in New York.
Jefferson is responsible for the division’s technical personnel and facilities worldwide, including hard news, primetime and public affairs. Jefferson oversees CBS News’ bureaus and operations for coverage of such events as conventions, elections and presidential trips. He is also responsible for exploring the latest technologies and leading the design of advanced broadcast technology for CBS News.
Jefferson is an Emmy Award-winning executive who was named vice president of news operations in 2017.
Jefferson has more than three decades of television production experience in broadcast and cable news, including nearly 20 years within CBS, where he’s had lead roles managing and coordinating coverage of several presidential inaugurations, political conventions, award shows and other major events. Throughout his television career, Jefferson has been dedicated to innovation through process improvement, project management and producing high-performance teams.
Prior to his current position, Jefferson was Director of Production at CBS News, a position he started in March 2016.
Previously, Jefferson served as director of production for CBS THIS MORNING, the Network’s award-winning morning news broadcast, from December 2012 to March 2016.
He joined CBS News in 2012 after holding multiple key positions at MSNBC. He was the Manager of Technical Operations at MSNBC from 2009 to 2012, prior to which he served for nearly 13 years as Senior Technical Production Manager for the network.
While at MSNBC, he was part of the original team that launched the network, acting as the liaison between production staff and technical staff for MSNBC Special Projects and for “Hardball with Chris Matthews.” He also served as lead technical production manager for major projects including the royal wedding, Republican and Democratic national conventions and a variety of major breaking news events.
Before joining MSNBC, Jefferson spent a year as a Production Supervisor for CBS-owned flagship station WCBS (1995-1996). Earlier, he served in a variety of capacities for CBS, including Broadcast Distribution Manager (1992-1995), Supervisor, Broadcast Operations (1991-1992) and Satellite Control Manager (1990-1991).
He began his television career with CBS as a Network Documentation Clerk in 1984.
Jefferson graduated from St. John’s University, where he majored in communications arts and minored in liberal arts.
August 2021
Rick Jefferson is Senior Vice President of News Operations at CBS News and is based in New York.
Jefferson is responsible for the division’s technical personnel and facilities worldwide, including hard news, primetime and public affairs. Jefferson oversees CBS News’ bureaus and operations for coverage of such events as conventions, elections and presidential trips. He is also responsible for exploring the latest technologies and leading the design of advanced broadcast technology for CBS News.
Jefferson is an Emmy Award-winning executive who was named vice president of news operations in 2017.
Jefferson has more than three decades of television production experience in broadcast and cable news, including nearly 20 years within CBS, where he’s had lead roles managing and coordinating coverage of several presidential inaugurations, political conventions, award shows and other major events. Throughout his television career, Jefferson has been dedicated to innovation through process improvement, project management and producing high-performance teams.
Prior to his current position, Jefferson was Director of Production at CBS News, a position he started in March 2016.
Previously, Jefferson served as director of production for CBS THIS MORNING, the Network’s award-winning morning news broadcast, from December 2012 to March 2016.
He joined CBS News in 2012 after holding multiple key positions at MSNBC. He was the Manager of Technical Operations at MSNBC from 2009 to 2012, prior to which he served for nearly 13 years as Senior Technical Production Manager for the network.
While at MSNBC, he was part of the original team that launched the network, acting as the liaison between production staff and technical staff for MSNBC Special Projects and for “Hardball with Chris Matthews.” He also served as lead technical production manager for major projects including the royal wedding, Republican and Democratic national conventions and a variety of major breaking news events.
Before joining MSNBC, Jefferson spent a year as a Production Supervisor for CBS-owned flagship station WCBS (1995-1996). Earlier, he served in a variety of capacities for CBS, including Broadcast Distribution Manager (1992-1995), Supervisor, Broadcast Operations (1991-1992) and Satellite Control Manager (1990-1991).
He began his television career with CBS as a Network Documentation Clerk in 1984.
Jefferson graduated from St. John’s University, where he majored in communications arts and minored in liberal arts.
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Mark X. Lima
CBS News and Stations
Mark Lima is vice president and Washington bureau chief at CBS News. As the Washington bureau chief, Lima oversees the newsgathering and management of the Network’s largest bureau that is also home to the CBS EVENING NEWS and FACE THE NATION. He reports to Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, CBS News executive vice president for newsgathering.
Lima joined CBS News in 2020 as West Coast bureau chief. During his time leading that bureau, CBS News covered major stories of national importance, including the California recall election of Gov. Gavin Newsom, California’s deadly wildfire seasons of 2021 and 2020, and the general election of 2020.
Prior to joining CBS News in 2020, Lima worked at Univision/Fusion, where since 2013 he served as vice president of news, overseeing news coverage and impact programming in English for Univision/Fusion. While there, he served as the executive producer of the Edward R. Murrow Award-winning weekly Facebook Watch program “Real America with Jorge Ramos,” which pushed the boundary of multiplatform and digital storytelling and featured prominent political interviews ahead of the 2020 election, with candidates including Joe Biden, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Julian Castro. In 2016, Lima was an executive producer of Fusion’s prescient Emmy-nominated documentary “The Naked Truth: Trumpland,” an in-depth look at Trump voters across the country ahead of the election. He also coordinated Fusion/Univision’s coverage of President Obama’s visit to Cuba and daily coverage of the 2016 political conventions.
Before joining Univision/Fusion, Lima worked at ABC News for 15 years, most recently as a senior producer at Nightline where he participated in coordinating coverage of key special events, including Nightline’s coverage of former President Barack Obama’s 2008 inauguration and the network’s 2012 election night coverage. He also produced affiliate coverage of the 2000 political conventions as well as election night coverage from the Bush campaign headquarters in Austin, Texas, and the subsequent recount from Tallahassee, Fla.
Lima served as ABC News’ deputy bureau chief in Los Angeles from 2004 to 2008, and was the director of sports and special projects at ABC NewsOne, the network’s affiliate newsgathering service.
Lima has been honored with the Peabody Award and multiple News Emmys. He is a graduate of Penn State University.
Mark Lima is vice president and Washington bureau chief at CBS News. As the Washington bureau chief, Lima oversees the newsgathering and management of the Network’s largest bureau that is also home to the CBS EVENING NEWS and FACE THE NATION. He reports to Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, CBS News executive vice president for newsgathering.
Lima joined CBS News in 2020 as West Coast bureau chief. During his time leading that bureau, CBS News covered major stories of national importance, including the California recall election of Gov. Gavin Newsom, California’s deadly wildfire seasons of 2021 and 2020, and the general election of 2020.
Prior to joining CBS News in 2020, Lima worked at Univision/Fusion, where since 2013 he served as vice president of news, overseeing news coverage and impact programming in English for Univision/Fusion. While there, he served as the executive producer of the Edward R. Murrow Award-winning weekly Facebook Watch program “Real America with Jorge Ramos,” which pushed the boundary of multiplatform and digital storytelling and featured prominent political interviews ahead of the 2020 election, with candidates including Joe Biden, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Julian Castro. In 2016, Lima was an executive producer of Fusion’s prescient Emmy-nominated documentary “The Naked Truth: Trumpland,” an in-depth look at Trump voters across the country ahead of the election. He also coordinated Fusion/Univision’s coverage of President Obama’s visit to Cuba and daily coverage of the 2016 political conventions.
Before joining Univision/Fusion, Lima worked at ABC News for 15 years, most recently as a senior producer at Nightline where he participated in coordinating coverage of key special events, including Nightline’s coverage of former President Barack Obama’s 2008 inauguration and the network’s 2012 election night coverage. He also produced affiliate coverage of the 2000 political conventions as well as election night coverage from the Bush campaign headquarters in Austin, Texas, and the subsequent recount from Tallahassee, Fla.
Lima served as ABC News’ deputy bureau chief in Los Angeles from 2004 to 2008, and was the director of sports and special projects at ABC NewsOne, the network’s affiliate newsgathering service.
Lima has been honored with the Peabody Award and multiple News Emmys. He is a graduate of Penn State University.
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Claudia Milne
CBS News and Stations
October 2021
Claudia Milne is Senior Vice President, Standards and Practices for CBS News and Stations, where she oversees all CBS News editorial standards and ensures they are being maintained across all CBS News stations and digital platforms.
Milne, a veteran journalist and highly respected newsroom leader, began her new role in September 2021
Milne joined CBS News in 2019 as managing editor of “CBS This Morning,” which was relaunched as CBS MORNINGS in September 2021. There she provided editorial leadership and set the tone for the coverage on the morning show. Milne took on additional leadership responsibilities in 2020 during the historic elections and pandemic, navigating the significant breaking news on behalf of the broadcast.
Before joining CBS News, Milne was the senior editor of video at ProPublica. Prior to that she was head of live TV at Bloomberg TV. Milne spent the majority of her career at the BBC, where she worked in senior positions as a producer on the flagship broadcasts and across all digital and 24-hour news platforms She was an editor for the North American edition of BBC.com from 2011-2014, served as a deputy editor of the BBC’s “World News America” from 2007-2011 and was a senior producer at “BBC Newsnight” beginning in 2000.
Milne is a second-generation journalist at CBS News. Her father, Stephen Milne, worked as an editor in CBS News’ London Bureau for 30 years supporting all of the major broadcasts, including more than 10 years working for Don Hewitt at 60 MINUTES.
Milne earned a BA degree in American history and politics from the University of East Anglia in the U.K.
October 2021
Claudia Milne is Senior Vice President, Standards and Practices for CBS News and Stations, where she oversees all CBS News editorial standards and ensures they are being maintained across all CBS News stations and digital platforms.
Milne, a veteran journalist and highly respected newsroom leader, began her new role in September 2021
Milne joined CBS News in 2019 as managing editor of “CBS This Morning,” which was relaunched as CBS MORNINGS in September 2021. There she provided editorial leadership and set the tone for the coverage on the morning show. Milne took on additional leadership responsibilities in 2020 during the historic elections and pandemic, navigating the significant breaking news on behalf of the broadcast.
Before joining CBS News, Milne was the senior editor of video at ProPublica. Prior to that she was head of live TV at Bloomberg TV. Milne spent the majority of her career at the BBC, where she worked in senior positions as a producer on the flagship broadcasts and across all digital and 24-hour news platforms She was an editor for the North American edition of BBC.com from 2011-2014, served as a deputy editor of the BBC’s “World News America” from 2007-2011 and was a senior producer at “BBC Newsnight” beginning in 2000.
Milne is a second-generation journalist at CBS News. Her father, Stephen Milne, worked as an editor in CBS News’ London Bureau for 30 years supporting all of the major broadcasts, including more than 10 years working for Don Hewitt at 60 MINUTES.
Milne earned a BA degree in American history and politics from the University of East Anglia in the U.K.
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Rand Morrison
CBS News and Stations
December 2019
Rand Morrison is the executive producer of CBS SUNDAY MORNING.
He is the winner of 10 Emmy Awards, two George Foster Peabody Awards and two Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards. Under Morrison’s leadership, CBS SUNDAY MORNING has earned two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Program.
Before joining CBS SUNDAY MORNING in 1999, he served as executive producer of CBS News Productions, where he produced, among other projects, the critically acclaimed 13-part “Century of Country” series on the history of country music for the Nashville Network.
Prior to that, Morrison served in senior management positions on several CBS News magazines, including senior broadcast producer for “Public Eye with Bryant Gumbel” and 48 HOURS, and senior producer for “Eye to Eye with Connie Chung.”
Before joining 48 HOURS, Morrison was a producer for the Weekend Editions of the CBS EVENING NEWS and served as a broadcast producer for the CBS MORNING NEWS. He joined CBS News in 1982 as a writer for “Nightwatch,” the overnight news broadcast, after having held a variety of positions at the Associated Press and United Press International (1977-1982).
Morrison was born in Cleveland and was graduated from Ohio State University with a B.A. in English and from Northwestern University with a master's degree in journalism.
He lives in New York.
December 2019
Rand Morrison is the executive producer of CBS SUNDAY MORNING.
He is the winner of 10 Emmy Awards, two George Foster Peabody Awards and two Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards. Under Morrison’s leadership, CBS SUNDAY MORNING has earned two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Program.
Before joining CBS SUNDAY MORNING in 1999, he served as executive producer of CBS News Productions, where he produced, among other projects, the critically acclaimed 13-part “Century of Country” series on the history of country music for the Nashville Network.
Prior to that, Morrison served in senior management positions on several CBS News magazines, including senior broadcast producer for “Public Eye with Bryant Gumbel” and 48 HOURS, and senior producer for “Eye to Eye with Connie Chung.”
Before joining 48 HOURS, Morrison was a producer for the Weekend Editions of the CBS EVENING NEWS and served as a broadcast producer for the CBS MORNING NEWS. He joined CBS News in 1982 as a writer for “Nightwatch,” the overnight news broadcast, after having held a variety of positions at the Associated Press and United Press International (1977-1982).
Morrison was born in Cleveland and was graduated from Ohio State University with a B.A. in English and from Northwestern University with a master's degree in journalism.
He lives in New York.
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Laurie Orlando
CBS News and Stations
December 2019
Laurie Orlando is the Senior Vice President of Talent Strategy for CBS News, a position she has held since January 2016.
Orlando, who has served as a top executive for ESPN, oversees new talent recruitment and development, and strategic planning for the news division.
Orlando most recently served as Senior Vice President, Talent Development and Planning at ESPN, a position she had held since 2008. Previously, she was Senior Vice President, Executive Producer for MSG and Fox Sports New York (Sept. 2006 - Dec. 2007), and before that, Vice President of Programming, Original Programming and Development and Vice President of Remote and Feature Production (Nov. 2002 - August 2006) at College Sports Television (CSTV, now CBS Sports Network).
During her career, Orlando has held significant production and programming positions, having played a key role on startup teams that launched five networks, including The Comedy Channel (1989), Classic Sports Network (1994), Oxygen Media (1999), CSTV (2003) and The Mtn (2006).
She began her career in television in 1980 as a news intern with WRGB-TV in Albany, N.Y. In 1986, she worked as an intern for “Late Night with David Letterman” before moving onto positions with SHOWTIME and HBO’s Comedy Channel.
Orlando graduated from Syracuse with a Bachelor of Science degree in international relations from the Maxwell School of Citizenship, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in television and film writing from the Newhouse School of Public Communications. She is a member of the advisory board for the Syracuse University Falk School of Sport and Human Dynamics and an alumni advisor for students at the Newhouse School. She is also a member of Women in Cable Television (WICT) and Women in Sports and Events (WISE). Orlando lives in Connecticut with her family.
December 2019
Laurie Orlando is the Senior Vice President of Talent Strategy for CBS News, a position she has held since January 2016.
Orlando, who has served as a top executive for ESPN, oversees new talent recruitment and development, and strategic planning for the news division.
Orlando most recently served as Senior Vice President, Talent Development and Planning at ESPN, a position she had held since 2008. Previously, she was Senior Vice President, Executive Producer for MSG and Fox Sports New York (Sept. 2006 - Dec. 2007), and before that, Vice President of Programming, Original Programming and Development and Vice President of Remote and Feature Production (Nov. 2002 - August 2006) at College Sports Television (CSTV, now CBS Sports Network).
During her career, Orlando has held significant production and programming positions, having played a key role on startup teams that launched five networks, including The Comedy Channel (1989), Classic Sports Network (1994), Oxygen Media (1999), CSTV (2003) and The Mtn (2006).
She began her career in television in 1980 as a news intern with WRGB-TV in Albany, N.Y. In 1986, she worked as an intern for “Late Night with David Letterman” before moving onto positions with SHOWTIME and HBO’s Comedy Channel.
Orlando graduated from Syracuse with a Bachelor of Science degree in international relations from the Maxwell School of Citizenship, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in television and film writing from the Newhouse School of Public Communications. She is a member of the advisory board for the Syracuse University Falk School of Sport and Human Dynamics and an alumni advisor for students at the Newhouse School. She is also a member of Women in Cable Television (WICT) and Women in Sports and Events (WISE). Orlando lives in Connecticut with her family.
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Bill Owens
CBS News and Stations
October 2023
Bill Owens is the executive producer of the venerable CBS newsmagazine 60 MINUTES, America’s #1 news program.
Owens led 60 MINUTES to a breakout season in 2022-23. The broadcast ended its 55th season as TV’s #1 non-sports primetime program and was the week’s #1 primetime broadcast five times. The CBS newsmagazine averaged nearly 9 million viewers per week, and over 11 million viewers for major newsmaker interviews, with another 15.2 million views across all digital platforms.
Owens has steered 60 MINUTES through the COVID-19 pandemic, the impeachments of former President Donald Trump, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and more.
Owens took the helm of the long-running, prestige news program in February of 2019 after 12 years of supervising the broadcast’s content in two senior positions. First as senior producer and then as executive editor, Owens had editorial and production input in the creation of nearly a thousand 60 MINUTES segments from conception through screening and broadcast. Before taking his management role at the newsmagazine, the 34-year veteran of CBS News excelled at every level of responsibility while covering the gamut of international and domestic news events.
Owens was named to The Hollywood Reporter’s 35 Most Powerful Media Leaders in 2019 and 2022.
Under his leadership, 60 MINUTES has been honored with its second Insight Award from the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (2022) and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Recorded News Program (2021.)
In addition to the many awards garnered by the 60 MINUTES stories he has shaped and supervised, Owens has received numerous Emmy Awards, an IRE Award and contributed to a RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Overall Excellence Award. Towson University, Owens’ alma mater, honored him with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in May 2012. He has been nominated by the Producer Guild Awards for Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
In 2012, prior to his senior roles with 60 MINUTES, Owens co-executive produced and launched 60 MINUTES SPORTS, a monthly sports edition of 60 MINUTES that ran five seasons on Showtime. Owens also launched 60MinutesOvertime.com, the first website programmed entirely with originally produced 60 MINUTES content, and has supervised its staff and production since its debut in 2010.
Owens joined 60 MINUTES’ senior staff as senior broadcast producer in 2007 from the CBS EVENING NEWS, where he also served as senior broadcast producer. He first joined 60 MINUTES in 2003 and worked with Scott Pelley producing segments that included coverage of Hurricane Katrina, the genocide in Sudan, climate change and a memorable profile of controversial NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski.
Before that, the Pelley-Owens team produced segments for 60 MINUTES II, highlighted by an hour-long interview with President George W. Bush on the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The team also covered the American invasion of Iraq as a unilateral correspondent-producer team on the ground, contributing news-making reports to all CBS News programs.
In the late 1990s, Owens was the CBS News senior White House producer. Working with Pelley, Bill Plante and Rita Braver, he covered the impeachment of President Bill Clinton and broke major stories in the scandal that ran up to the historic event, in addition to many other Washington stories. Owens was the anchor producer for Paula Zahn and Harry Smith when they anchored CBS THIS MORNING. Prior to that, he was the broadcast’s coordinating producer in New York.
In his first jobs for CBS, Owens served as a national desk assignment editor, field producer and desk assistant for CBS News and for WCBS-TV, the CBS-owned station in New York.
Owens began his journalism career in 1988 as a summer intern for CBS News working at the national political conventions in Atlanta and New Orleans.
Owens is from Oyster Bay, N.Y. He graduated from Towson University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and has two children.
October 2023
Bill Owens is the executive producer of the venerable CBS newsmagazine 60 MINUTES, America’s #1 news program.
Owens led 60 MINUTES to a breakout season in 2022-23. The broadcast ended its 55th season as TV’s #1 non-sports primetime program and was the week’s #1 primetime broadcast five times. The CBS newsmagazine averaged nearly 9 million viewers per week, and over 11 million viewers for major newsmaker interviews, with another 15.2 million views across all digital platforms.
Owens has steered 60 MINUTES through the COVID-19 pandemic, the impeachments of former President Donald Trump, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and more.
Owens took the helm of the long-running, prestige news program in February of 2019 after 12 years of supervising the broadcast’s content in two senior positions. First as senior producer and then as executive editor, Owens had editorial and production input in the creation of nearly a thousand 60 MINUTES segments from conception through screening and broadcast. Before taking his management role at the newsmagazine, the 34-year veteran of CBS News excelled at every level of responsibility while covering the gamut of international and domestic news events.
Owens was named to The Hollywood Reporter’s 35 Most Powerful Media Leaders in 2019 and 2022.
Under his leadership, 60 MINUTES has been honored with its second Insight Award from the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation (2022) and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Recorded News Program (2021.)
In addition to the many awards garnered by the 60 MINUTES stories he has shaped and supervised, Owens has received numerous Emmy Awards, an IRE Award and contributed to a RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Overall Excellence Award. Towson University, Owens’ alma mater, honored him with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in May 2012. He has been nominated by the Producer Guild Awards for Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
In 2012, prior to his senior roles with 60 MINUTES, Owens co-executive produced and launched 60 MINUTES SPORTS, a monthly sports edition of 60 MINUTES that ran five seasons on Showtime. Owens also launched 60MinutesOvertime.com, the first website programmed entirely with originally produced 60 MINUTES content, and has supervised its staff and production since its debut in 2010.
Owens joined 60 MINUTES’ senior staff as senior broadcast producer in 2007 from the CBS EVENING NEWS, where he also served as senior broadcast producer. He first joined 60 MINUTES in 2003 and worked with Scott Pelley producing segments that included coverage of Hurricane Katrina, the genocide in Sudan, climate change and a memorable profile of controversial NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski.
Before that, the Pelley-Owens team produced segments for 60 MINUTES II, highlighted by an hour-long interview with President George W. Bush on the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The team also covered the American invasion of Iraq as a unilateral correspondent-producer team on the ground, contributing news-making reports to all CBS News programs.
In the late 1990s, Owens was the CBS News senior White House producer. Working with Pelley, Bill Plante and Rita Braver, he covered the impeachment of President Bill Clinton and broke major stories in the scandal that ran up to the historic event, in addition to many other Washington stories. Owens was the anchor producer for Paula Zahn and Harry Smith when they anchored CBS THIS MORNING. Prior to that, he was the broadcast’s coordinating producer in New York.
In his first jobs for CBS, Owens served as a national desk assignment editor, field producer and desk assistant for CBS News and for WCBS-TV, the CBS-owned station in New York.
Owens began his journalism career in 1988 as a summer intern for CBS News working at the national political conventions in Atlanta and New Orleans.
Owens is from Oyster Bay, N.Y. He graduated from Towson University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and has two children.
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Alvin Patrick
CBS News and Stations
December 2022
Award-winning journalist Alvin Patrick is the executive producer of CBS News Streaming Originals and the CBS News Race and Culture Unit.
As head of CBS News Streaming Originals, Patrick oversees the team that delivers original reporting and branded/sponsored content for the CBS News Streaming Network and CBS News’ digital properties, including Paramount+. He oversees CBS REPORTS, the original longform specials and documentaries unit, as well as shows such as HERE COMES THE SUN, EYE ON AMERICA and PERSON TO PERSON WITH NORAH O’DONNELL on CBS News Streaming.
In addition, Patrick leads the CBS News Race and Culture Unit, which works with the executive producers of all platforms across the Network and with CBS Stations to ensure the reporting reflects diverse perspectives. His team also works closely with CBS News Standards and Practices to assure all reporting meets CBS News’ rigorous guidelines. He is the founding executive producer of the Race and Culture Unit, which was created in the summer of 2020. Since then, Patrick and his team have overseen numerous specials that have been featured on primetime television and across CBS News streaming properties, including the primetime special TULSA 1921: AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY and a one-hour special for the 10-year anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s killing, both hosted by CBS MORNINGS co-host Gayle King. In addition, he oversees CBS Village, an online repository featuring CBS News reporting on diverse communities.
Patrick has more than three decades of experience in the broadcast and cable television business. Patrick joined CBS News in 2012 as a senior producer working exclusively with CBS News special correspondent James Brown. He has produced reports for 60 MINUTES, 60 MINUTES SPORTS for Showtime, CBS MORNINGS, the CBS EVENING NEWS, FACE THE NATION and 48 HOURS. Patrick continues to work with James Brown on projects across CBS, including Brown’s weekly sports news roundup on the CBS News Streaming Network.
Before joining CBS News, Patrick was a senior producer for ABC News’ “Nightline” (2009-2011) and was a senior producer for the digital newsmagazine “The Daily” (2011-2012). Earlier, he was executive producer of ESPN’s “Cold Pizza” and “ESPN News” (2005-2009). He served as executive producer and vice president at MTV Networks (2001-2004), and he was a producer on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (1999-2000). He began his broadcast network career at ABC News and ABC Sports (1989-1998).
Patrick’s work has earned him numerous awards, including six national Emmy nominations, six National Association of Black Journalists awards, a Gabriel Award and a Freddie Award. He also shared two Edward R. Murrow Awards with his colleagues at CBS News.
Patrick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication arts (broadcast journalism) from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and a Master of Fine Arts degree in television production from City University of New York-Brooklyn College.
December 2022
Award-winning journalist Alvin Patrick is the executive producer of CBS News Streaming Originals and the CBS News Race and Culture Unit.
As head of CBS News Streaming Originals, Patrick oversees the team that delivers original reporting and branded/sponsored content for the CBS News Streaming Network and CBS News’ digital properties, including Paramount+. He oversees CBS REPORTS, the original longform specials and documentaries unit, as well as shows such as HERE COMES THE SUN, EYE ON AMERICA and PERSON TO PERSON WITH NORAH O’DONNELL on CBS News Streaming.
In addition, Patrick leads the CBS News Race and Culture Unit, which works with the executive producers of all platforms across the Network and with CBS Stations to ensure the reporting reflects diverse perspectives. His team also works closely with CBS News Standards and Practices to assure all reporting meets CBS News’ rigorous guidelines. He is the founding executive producer of the Race and Culture Unit, which was created in the summer of 2020. Since then, Patrick and his team have overseen numerous specials that have been featured on primetime television and across CBS News streaming properties, including the primetime special TULSA 1921: AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY and a one-hour special for the 10-year anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s killing, both hosted by CBS MORNINGS co-host Gayle King. In addition, he oversees CBS Village, an online repository featuring CBS News reporting on diverse communities.
Patrick has more than three decades of experience in the broadcast and cable television business. Patrick joined CBS News in 2012 as a senior producer working exclusively with CBS News special correspondent James Brown. He has produced reports for 60 MINUTES, 60 MINUTES SPORTS for Showtime, CBS MORNINGS, the CBS EVENING NEWS, FACE THE NATION and 48 HOURS. Patrick continues to work with James Brown on projects across CBS, including Brown’s weekly sports news roundup on the CBS News Streaming Network.
Before joining CBS News, Patrick was a senior producer for ABC News’ “Nightline” (2009-2011) and was a senior producer for the digital newsmagazine “The Daily” (2011-2012). Earlier, he was executive producer of ESPN’s “Cold Pizza” and “ESPN News” (2005-2009). He served as executive producer and vice president at MTV Networks (2001-2004), and he was a producer on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (1999-2000). He began his broadcast network career at ABC News and ABC Sports (1989-1998).
Patrick’s work has earned him numerous awards, including six national Emmy nominations, six National Association of Black Journalists awards, a Gabriel Award and a Freddie Award. He also shared two Edward R. Murrow Awards with his colleagues at CBS News.
Patrick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication arts (broadcast journalism) from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and a Master of Fine Arts degree in television production from City University of New York-Brooklyn College.
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Alison Pepper
CBS News and Stations
Alison Pepper is senior vice president for talent strategy for CBS News and Network Streaming, where she oversees talent recruitment and development across all platforms. In this role, Pepper works to ensure CBS has the best journalists in front of and behind the camera. She was appointed to the new position in October 2021.
Pepper has more than two decades of network news experience as both an enterprising network executive and senior producer at CBS News and 60 MINUTES. She was instrumental in helping to launch and run several CBS News broadcasts, and she is known for having an exceptional eye for finding and developing talent as well as creating award-winning production teams.
Prior to her new position, Pepper was a talent agent at the Creative Artists Agency, where she represented some of the biggest names in the business. Additionally, she worked with those journalists to develop their intellectual property in other areas, including documentaries, podcasts, books and scripted series. Pepper joined CAA in its television department in February 2020.
Prior to her time at CAA, Pepper spent almost two decades at CBS News, rising to senior producer for 60 MINUTES in 2017. In that role she helped to manage the broadcast, and worked to hire the next generation of reporters both on and off the air. In addition to those responsibilities, Pepper oversaw the development of documentaries from 60 MINUTES and CBS News archives, including the acclaimed documentary “Mike Wallace Is Here,” a co-production with Delirio Films.
Pepper was senior producer of 60 Minutes Productions from January 2015 to February 2017. In that position, she was tasked with identifying distribution and film opportunities for 60 MINUTES and “60 Minutes Sports,” as well as expanding the 60 MINUTES brand internationally. She was a part of the development team that helped produce the film “Patriots Day,” released by CBS Films in 2016, and “American Jihad,” the corresponding documentary in partnership with Jigsaw Productions, which aired on Showtime. In combination with that role, she continued as senior broadcast manager of both broadcasts.
Pepper also helped expand the 60 MINUTES brand to cable with “60 Minutes Sports,” which ran for several seasons on Showtime, and helped create 60 MINUTES’ online presence with 60MinutesOT.
Pepper joined 60 MINUTES in 2004 as the unit manager, and over the next decade would hold several key positions at the broadcast, including coordinating producer, senior broadcast manager and senior producer.
Pepper served as CBS News’ executive director of recruitment and development for four years (2011-2015), hiring and promoting a number of rising journalists. She also created the CBS News associates program, a competitive entry-level program designed to identify talented aspiring journalists that has brought in more than 150 new journalists into CBS News.
Pepper’s career at CBS News began as a page at the “Evening News with Dan Rather” in May 2000. She joined “60 Minutes II” as a broadcast associate the following year.
Pepper graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in political science and Spanish.
Alison Pepper is senior vice president for talent strategy for CBS News and Network Streaming, where she oversees talent recruitment and development across all platforms. In this role, Pepper works to ensure CBS has the best journalists in front of and behind the camera. She was appointed to the new position in October 2021.
Pepper has more than two decades of network news experience as both an enterprising network executive and senior producer at CBS News and 60 MINUTES. She was instrumental in helping to launch and run several CBS News broadcasts, and she is known for having an exceptional eye for finding and developing talent as well as creating award-winning production teams.
Prior to her new position, Pepper was a talent agent at the Creative Artists Agency, where she represented some of the biggest names in the business. Additionally, she worked with those journalists to develop their intellectual property in other areas, including documentaries, podcasts, books and scripted series. Pepper joined CAA in its television department in February 2020.
Prior to her time at CAA, Pepper spent almost two decades at CBS News, rising to senior producer for 60 MINUTES in 2017. In that role she helped to manage the broadcast, and worked to hire the next generation of reporters both on and off the air. In addition to those responsibilities, Pepper oversaw the development of documentaries from 60 MINUTES and CBS News archives, including the acclaimed documentary “Mike Wallace Is Here,” a co-production with Delirio Films.
Pepper was senior producer of 60 Minutes Productions from January 2015 to February 2017. In that position, she was tasked with identifying distribution and film opportunities for 60 MINUTES and “60 Minutes Sports,” as well as expanding the 60 MINUTES brand internationally. She was a part of the development team that helped produce the film “Patriots Day,” released by CBS Films in 2016, and “American Jihad,” the corresponding documentary in partnership with Jigsaw Productions, which aired on Showtime. In combination with that role, she continued as senior broadcast manager of both broadcasts.
Pepper also helped expand the 60 MINUTES brand to cable with “60 Minutes Sports,” which ran for several seasons on Showtime, and helped create 60 MINUTES’ online presence with 60MinutesOT.
Pepper joined 60 MINUTES in 2004 as the unit manager, and over the next decade would hold several key positions at the broadcast, including coordinating producer, senior broadcast manager and senior producer.
Pepper served as CBS News’ executive director of recruitment and development for four years (2011-2015), hiring and promoting a number of rising journalists. She also created the CBS News associates program, a competitive entry-level program designed to identify talented aspiring journalists that has brought in more than 150 new journalists into CBS News.
Pepper’s career at CBS News began as a page at the “Evening News with Dan Rather” in May 2000. She joined “60 Minutes II” as a broadcast associate the following year.
Pepper graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in political science and Spanish.
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David Reiter
CBS News and Stations
February 2022
David Reiter was named executive producer, special events, CBS News in February 2022. He oversees breaking news and major global event coverage, including the upcoming State of the Union, CBS News’ midterm elections and election night, across traditional linear and digital platforms. He reports to Neeraj Khemlani, president and co-head of CBS News and Stations.
Prior to joining CBS News, Reiter spent more than 20 years in senior roles at ABC News.
At ABC News, Reiter served as executive producer of special events from 2017-2021. He helped launch and was executive producer and head of programming for the network’s digital streaming news service. From 2008-2017, he was vice president and domestic managing editor of newsgathering, which included oversight of presidential campaign coverage and the ABC News polling unit.
Between 2000 and 2008, Reiter rose through the ranks at ABC News, from a coordinating producer to senior producer of the network’s special events, and he was a senior broadcast producer for “ABC World News Tonight Weekend.” Reiter was based in L.A. from 2000-2003 as acting and deputy bureau chief. And in 2003 he led the ABC News Baghdad bureau during the Iraq War and fall of Saddam Hussein.
Reiter began his career at ABC News in 1994 as a desk assistant and served as a campaign embed in the 1996 presidential election before moving into producing roles.
Reiter’s career has earned him 11 Edward R. Murrow Awards, eight Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and a duPont-Columbia University Award.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public policy studies and economics from Duke University.
February 2022
David Reiter was named executive producer, special events, CBS News in February 2022. He oversees breaking news and major global event coverage, including the upcoming State of the Union, CBS News’ midterm elections and election night, across traditional linear and digital platforms. He reports to Neeraj Khemlani, president and co-head of CBS News and Stations.
Prior to joining CBS News, Reiter spent more than 20 years in senior roles at ABC News.
At ABC News, Reiter served as executive producer of special events from 2017-2021. He helped launch and was executive producer and head of programming for the network’s digital streaming news service. From 2008-2017, he was vice president and domestic managing editor of newsgathering, which included oversight of presidential campaign coverage and the ABC News polling unit.
Between 2000 and 2008, Reiter rose through the ranks at ABC News, from a coordinating producer to senior producer of the network’s special events, and he was a senior broadcast producer for “ABC World News Tonight Weekend.” Reiter was based in L.A. from 2000-2003 as acting and deputy bureau chief. And in 2003 he led the ABC News Baghdad bureau during the Iraq War and fall of Saddam Hussein.
Reiter began his career at ABC News in 1994 as a desk assistant and served as a campaign embed in the 1996 presidential election before moving into producing roles.
Reiter’s career has earned him 11 Edward R. Murrow Awards, eight Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and a duPont-Columbia University Award.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public policy studies and economics from Duke University.
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Jamie Reysen
CBS News and Stations
Jamie Reysen is the senior vice president of CBSNews.com and growth and engagement. She oversees CBSNews.com’s editorial teams and leads the audience growth strategy for CBS News’ digital and streaming platforms. Reysen also manages the CBS News archive sales operation.
Reysen joined CBS News in 2019 as director of growth and engagement, leading a team that drove record reach for CBS News digital through a data-informed and audience-focused content strategy. As head of growth and engagement, she built a push notification team, expanded editorial partnerships off-platform and overhauled the organization’s YouTube strategy.
Since assuming responsibility for the CBSNews.com team in 2022, she has worked across teams to amplify breaking news and exclusive network reporting. She has also expanded key verticals, including the MoneyWatch and HealthWatch sections.
Before joining CBS News, Reysen worked at Fox News, where she rose to director of audience development. While at Fox, Reysen created and managed the breaking/trending news, SEO, homepage and YouTube teams. She also worked cross-departmentally to implement growth strategies for Fox’s digital properties and oversaw off-platform partnerships.
Previously, Reysen managed amNewYork’s web staff as deputy editor of amNY.com, developing a new voice and direction for the site and launching its elections vertical. While at amNewYork, Reysen collaborated with the print staff to adopt improved breaking news workflows and a digital-first mentality across the team.
Reysen began her career at News 12, where she worked as a digital producer for seven local regions.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College.
Jamie Reysen is the senior vice president of CBSNews.com and growth and engagement. She oversees CBSNews.com’s editorial teams and leads the audience growth strategy for CBS News’ digital and streaming platforms. Reysen also manages the CBS News archive sales operation.
Reysen joined CBS News in 2019 as director of growth and engagement, leading a team that drove record reach for CBS News digital through a data-informed and audience-focused content strategy. As head of growth and engagement, she built a push notification team, expanded editorial partnerships off-platform and overhauled the organization’s YouTube strategy.
Since assuming responsibility for the CBSNews.com team in 2022, she has worked across teams to amplify breaking news and exclusive network reporting. She has also expanded key verticals, including the MoneyWatch and HealthWatch sections.
Before joining CBS News, Reysen worked at Fox News, where she rose to director of audience development. While at Fox, Reysen created and managed the breaking/trending news, SEO, homepage and YouTube teams. She also worked cross-departmentally to implement growth strategies for Fox’s digital properties and oversaw off-platform partnerships.
Previously, Reysen managed amNewYork’s web staff as deputy editor of amNY.com, developing a new voice and direction for the site and launching its elections vertical. While at amNewYork, Reysen collaborated with the print staff to adopt improved breaking news workflows and a digital-first mentality across the team.
Reysen began her career at News 12, where she worked as a digital producer for seven local regions.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College.
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Christa Robinson
CBS News and Stations
December 2019
Christa Robinson is Executive Vice President of Communications for CBS News. In this role, Robinson oversees CBS News’ day-to-day media relations activities, as well as public affairs and communications strategy. She plays a senior role in directing all the division’s public relations strategies to enhance and expand the presence of its broadcast and digital brands.
Robinson joined CBS News in December 2015. Previously, she led communications and public relations functions for all CNN networks and digital platforms, in addition to being a member of its worldwide executive team. During her tenure at CNN (1999-2013), she also handled crisis communications, innovative social media integrations and brand awareness campaigns for CNN programming and CNN.com.
Robinson served as Chief Communications Officer for Tribune Media (2013-2015), where she oversaw all corporate communications activities for its television and digital properties during the period of the publishing spin-off and corporate acquisitions.
Earlier in her career, Robinson worked in the White House (1994-1999) and served as the Director of Communications for the Domestic Policy Council. She began her career in politics and government affairs in 1992.
Robinson lives in New York City with her husband and two children.
December 2019
Christa Robinson is Executive Vice President of Communications for CBS News. In this role, Robinson oversees CBS News’ day-to-day media relations activities, as well as public affairs and communications strategy. She plays a senior role in directing all the division’s public relations strategies to enhance and expand the presence of its broadcast and digital brands.
Robinson joined CBS News in December 2015. Previously, she led communications and public relations functions for all CNN networks and digital platforms, in addition to being a member of its worldwide executive team. During her tenure at CNN (1999-2013), she also handled crisis communications, innovative social media integrations and brand awareness campaigns for CNN programming and CNN.com.
Robinson served as Chief Communications Officer for Tribune Media (2013-2015), where she oversaw all corporate communications activities for its television and digital properties during the period of the publishing spin-off and corporate acquisitions.
Earlier in her career, Robinson worked in the White House (1994-1999) and served as the Director of Communications for the Domestic Policy Council. She began her career in politics and government affairs in 1992.
Robinson lives in New York City with her husband and two children.
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Shawna Thomas
CBS News and Stations
September 2021
Award-winning journalist, producer and program executive Shawna Thomas is the executive producer for CBS News’ CBS MORNINGS.
She joined CBS News from Quibi, where she served as a content development executive working on short-form news programming from CBS News, NBC News and BBC News for the mobile video platform. Her work has earned her recognition from her peers with four Emmy Awards, a Peabody, a Gracie Award and two Scripps Howard honors.
Before Quibi, Thomas spent three years at Vice News as the Washington, D.C. bureau chief, overseeing politics and policy coverage for HBO’s nightly newscast “Vice News Tonight.” Thomas was behind the program’s major political stories, including the Emmy-winning episode covering the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings, President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Putin in Helsinki and the 2018 midterm election. Thomas also was a senior producer on “Vice News Tonight’s” “Charlottesville” episode, which earned four Emmy Awards and the Peabody Award.
Previously, Thomas worked at NBC News for just over a decade. From 2014 to 2016, Thomas was a senior producer at NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” where she oversaw the broadcast’s digital profile and helped remake the show when Chuck Todd took over as moderator.
Between 2011 and 2014, she traveled the world covering former President Barack Obama for NBC News. Earlier, she was a Capitol Hill producer for the network. During her tenure at NBC News, Thomas was sent on assignments that included political convention coverage, ziplining in Alaska and detainee trials at Guantanamo Bay all while making time to try to get to a karaoke bar if time and scheduling allowed. She began her career at NBC as a news associate in 2006.
Thomas earned a BA in political communication from the George Washington University and a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California.
September 2021
Award-winning journalist, producer and program executive Shawna Thomas is the executive producer for CBS News’ CBS MORNINGS.
She joined CBS News from Quibi, where she served as a content development executive working on short-form news programming from CBS News, NBC News and BBC News for the mobile video platform. Her work has earned her recognition from her peers with four Emmy Awards, a Peabody, a Gracie Award and two Scripps Howard honors.
Before Quibi, Thomas spent three years at Vice News as the Washington, D.C. bureau chief, overseeing politics and policy coverage for HBO’s nightly newscast “Vice News Tonight.” Thomas was behind the program’s major political stories, including the Emmy-winning episode covering the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings, President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Putin in Helsinki and the 2018 midterm election. Thomas also was a senior producer on “Vice News Tonight’s” “Charlottesville” episode, which earned four Emmy Awards and the Peabody Award.
Previously, Thomas worked at NBC News for just over a decade. From 2014 to 2016, Thomas was a senior producer at NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” where she oversaw the broadcast’s digital profile and helped remake the show when Chuck Todd took over as moderator.
Between 2011 and 2014, she traveled the world covering former President Barack Obama for NBC News. Earlier, she was a Capitol Hill producer for the network. During her tenure at NBC News, Thomas was sent on assignments that included political convention coverage, ziplining in Alaska and detainee trials at Guantanamo Bay all while making time to try to get to a karaoke bar if time and scheduling allowed. She began her career at NBC as a news associate in 2006.
Thomas earned a BA in political communication from the George Washington University and a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California.
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Judy Tygard
CBS News and Stations
December 2019
Judy Tygard is the executive producer of CBS News’ 48 HOURS, overseeing all aspects of the award-winning crime and justice series that is Saturday’s #1 non-sports broadcast.
Tygard was named executive producer in April 2019.
Since 2005, Tygard has served as a senior producer on 48 HOURS. In that role, she created 48 HOURS: “Live to Tell,” a short-run series that features first-person accounts of people who have survived horrific events. “Live to Tell” has earned awards for documenting the challenges facing a victim of sex trafficking and the struggle of a survivor of the 2016 Brussels terror attack.
Additionally, Tygard has been an integral producer in many of CBS News’ primetime specials, including the upcoming “Meghan and Harry Plus One” and the George Foster Peabody-nominated “39 Days,” a documentary about the student activist movement that followed the school shooting in Parkland, Fla. She was co-executive producer of the “The Gayle King Interview with R. Kelly,” and was key in the specials “Dan Rather: A Reporter Remembers” and “Flashpoint,” about the roadside attack in Iraq that killed CBS News cameraman Paul Douglas and soundman James Brolan.
Tygard’s work has been recognized with five Emmys, three Alliance for Women in Media Gracie Awards, the Sigma Delta Chi Award, Silver Gavel, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award and the George Foster Peabody Award.
Tygard began her CBS News career as a writer for anchors Bob Schieffer and Morton Dean at the CBS EVENING NEWS weekend editions. She also worked at CBS THIS MORNING as a writer, copy editor, line producer and anchor producer. During her career, Tygard has covered a wide range of economic, political and international stories for CBS News such as the Moscow Summit, unrest in Cuba, Japan’s post-war reckoning, political conventions and the inaugurations of three presidents.
She joined 48 HOURS in 1989 as a producer. She left for a brief stint at ABC News and later returned to 48 HOURS.
Throughout her career, Tygard has focused on stories that examine the fairness of the judicial system, and has produced several editions of 48 HOURS centered on cases of the wrongfully accused.
In 2018 she was part of the team behind “Defending DJ,” a report on an unarmed African-American college student shot to death by police, and the misleading narrative created in the aftermath. In 2016 she led a team that produced “Blaming Melissa,” a 48 HOURS report that uncovered new evidence and cast substantial doubt on the criminal confession of a young woman questioned by police for nine hours.
Tygard also spent eight years working with the team behind a series of reports on Ryan Ferguson, a Missouri man wrongfully convicted of murder, who later credited the broadcast with helping him gain his freedom. And in 2012, Tygard was the senior producer of “Grave Injustice,” an award-winning 48 HOURS about a man deprived of compensation by the State of Texas after spending 18 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
Tygard’s first production for 48 HOURS in 1989, “Women Doing Time,” about women in the criminal justice system, earned an Emmy Award.
Tygard began her broadcasting career at WNEW-TV in New York, rising to broadcast producer for the station’s 10 PM newscast.
She graduated magna cum laude from Emerson College.
December 2019
Judy Tygard is the executive producer of CBS News’ 48 HOURS, overseeing all aspects of the award-winning crime and justice series that is Saturday’s #1 non-sports broadcast.
Tygard was named executive producer in April 2019.
Since 2005, Tygard has served as a senior producer on 48 HOURS. In that role, she created 48 HOURS: “Live to Tell,” a short-run series that features first-person accounts of people who have survived horrific events. “Live to Tell” has earned awards for documenting the challenges facing a victim of sex trafficking and the struggle of a survivor of the 2016 Brussels terror attack.
Additionally, Tygard has been an integral producer in many of CBS News’ primetime specials, including the upcoming “Meghan and Harry Plus One” and the George Foster Peabody-nominated “39 Days,” a documentary about the student activist movement that followed the school shooting in Parkland, Fla. She was co-executive producer of the “The Gayle King Interview with R. Kelly,” and was key in the specials “Dan Rather: A Reporter Remembers” and “Flashpoint,” about the roadside attack in Iraq that killed CBS News cameraman Paul Douglas and soundman James Brolan.
Tygard’s work has been recognized with five Emmys, three Alliance for Women in Media Gracie Awards, the Sigma Delta Chi Award, Silver Gavel, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award and the George Foster Peabody Award.
Tygard began her CBS News career as a writer for anchors Bob Schieffer and Morton Dean at the CBS EVENING NEWS weekend editions. She also worked at CBS THIS MORNING as a writer, copy editor, line producer and anchor producer. During her career, Tygard has covered a wide range of economic, political and international stories for CBS News such as the Moscow Summit, unrest in Cuba, Japan’s post-war reckoning, political conventions and the inaugurations of three presidents.
She joined 48 HOURS in 1989 as a producer. She left for a brief stint at ABC News and later returned to 48 HOURS.
Throughout her career, Tygard has focused on stories that examine the fairness of the judicial system, and has produced several editions of 48 HOURS centered on cases of the wrongfully accused.
In 2018 she was part of the team behind “Defending DJ,” a report on an unarmed African-American college student shot to death by police, and the misleading narrative created in the aftermath. In 2016 she led a team that produced “Blaming Melissa,” a 48 HOURS report that uncovered new evidence and cast substantial doubt on the criminal confession of a young woman questioned by police for nine hours.
Tygard also spent eight years working with the team behind a series of reports on Ryan Ferguson, a Missouri man wrongfully convicted of murder, who later credited the broadcast with helping him gain his freedom. And in 2012, Tygard was the senior producer of “Grave Injustice,” an award-winning 48 HOURS about a man deprived of compensation by the State of Texas after spending 18 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
Tygard’s first production for 48 HOURS in 1989, “Women Doing Time,” about women in the criminal justice system, earned an Emmy Award.
Tygard began her broadcasting career at WNEW-TV in New York, rising to broadcast producer for the station’s 10 PM newscast.
She graduated magna cum laude from Emerson College.
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Adam Verdugo
CBS News and Stations
Adam Verdugo is the executive producer of the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH NORAH O’DONNELL, CBS News’ award-winning and flagship daily evening news broadcast based in Washington D.C.
Verdugo joined CBS News in 2013 as a senior producer for “CBS This Morning” in Los Angeles, before moving to New York in 2017 to oversee talent bookings for the program. Prior to being named executive producer, Verdugo was part of the launch team for the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH NORAH O’DONNELL in 2019 and played a key role in the broadcast’s move to Washington as its executive story editor. He has helped develop franchises on the CBS EVENING NEWS including “Profiles in Service,” which features everyday Americans and U.S. military service members who dedicate their lives to helping others. Additionally, Verdugo helped launch and currently manages PERSON TO PERSON WITH NORAH O’DONNELL on the CBS News Streaming Network. PERSON TO PERSON is an updated and reimagined take on the storied CBS News interview program once hosted by Edward R. Murrow.
Verdugo has worked closely with O’Donnell for more than a decade and has led her team’s newsgathering for coverage of major breaking news stories, presidential election nights, the Jan. 6 insurrection and exclusive interviews with newsmakers in sports, entertainment, business and politics, including multiple presidents and world leaders. Verdugo has also contributed to the broadcast’s distinctive and award-winning investigation into sexual assault in the U.S. military.
He also brings extensive producing experience of significant events and interviews that have aired across CBS News. In 2018, he helped secure the exclusive, behind-the-scenes access that chronicled the aftermath of the Parkland shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which culminated with the Emmy Award-winning CBS primetime special 39 DAYS. In 2019, he and the “CBS This Morning” team were responsible for a number of major exclusive interviews, including Gayle King’s interview with disgraced recording artist R. Kelly.
Verdugo began his career at NBC News where he produced stories across the country and the globe, including the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the royal wedding in London. He traveled the country covering the 2010 midterm elections as a digital journalist covering key political races. He later served as a senior producer on “Meet the Press.”
Verdugo is from Southern California. He played Division I football at the College of the Holy Cross, where he received a bachelor’s degree in political science while minoring in economics-accounting.
Adam Verdugo is the executive producer of the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH NORAH O’DONNELL, CBS News’ award-winning and flagship daily evening news broadcast based in Washington D.C.
Verdugo joined CBS News in 2013 as a senior producer for “CBS This Morning” in Los Angeles, before moving to New York in 2017 to oversee talent bookings for the program. Prior to being named executive producer, Verdugo was part of the launch team for the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH NORAH O’DONNELL in 2019 and played a key role in the broadcast’s move to Washington as its executive story editor. He has helped develop franchises on the CBS EVENING NEWS including “Profiles in Service,” which features everyday Americans and U.S. military service members who dedicate their lives to helping others. Additionally, Verdugo helped launch and currently manages PERSON TO PERSON WITH NORAH O’DONNELL on the CBS News Streaming Network. PERSON TO PERSON is an updated and reimagined take on the storied CBS News interview program once hosted by Edward R. Murrow.
Verdugo has worked closely with O’Donnell for more than a decade and has led her team’s newsgathering for coverage of major breaking news stories, presidential election nights, the Jan. 6 insurrection and exclusive interviews with newsmakers in sports, entertainment, business and politics, including multiple presidents and world leaders. Verdugo has also contributed to the broadcast’s distinctive and award-winning investigation into sexual assault in the U.S. military.
He also brings extensive producing experience of significant events and interviews that have aired across CBS News. In 2018, he helped secure the exclusive, behind-the-scenes access that chronicled the aftermath of the Parkland shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which culminated with the Emmy Award-winning CBS primetime special 39 DAYS. In 2019, he and the “CBS This Morning” team were responsible for a number of major exclusive interviews, including Gayle King’s interview with disgraced recording artist R. Kelly.
Verdugo began his career at NBC News where he produced stories across the country and the globe, including the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the royal wedding in London. He traveled the country covering the 2010 midterm elections as a digital journalist covering key political races. He later served as a senior producer on “Meet the Press.”
Verdugo is from Southern California. He played Division I football at the College of the Holy Cross, where he received a bachelor’s degree in political science while minoring in economics-accounting.
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Susan Zirinsky
CBS News and Stations
September 2023
Susan Zirinsky is the president of See It Now Studios, where she oversees the development, production and distribution of original documentaries and docuseries for Paramount+, CBS, Paramount Global networks and third-party platforms.
Under Zirinsky’s leadership, See It Now Studios in 2022 produced more than 51 hours of programing for Paramount+, the CBS Television Network, third-party providers and Paramount Global Distribution. See It Now Studios has emerged as a premium provider of non-fiction, multiplatform content that attracts high-level talent, respected co-production partners and draws large levels of viewer engagement.
Since launching in September 2021, See It Now Studios has produced such projects as News and Documentary Emmy nominees 11 MINUTES and WATERGATE: HIGH CRIMES IN THE WHITE HOUSE, along with SUPERPOWER co-directed by Sean Penn, the Mandy Patinkin-narrated series INDIVISIBLE: HEALING HATE, and FBI TRUE, NEVER SEEN AGAIN, THE GIFT: KINDNESS GOES VIRAL WITH STEVE HARTMAN, RACE AGAINST TIME: THE CIA AND 9/11, THE 26TH STREET GARAGE: THE FBI’S UNTOLD STORY OF 9/11, SECRETS OF THE OLIGARCH WIVES, GHISLAINE: PARTNER IN CRIME, and interview specials with Halle Berry, Chris Rock and Prince Harry.
One of the first projects developed by See It Now Studios was THE 26TH STREET GARAGE: THE FBI’S UNTOLD STORY OF 9/11 for Paramount+, which was narrated by Tom Selleck and revealed how in the desperate moments after the 9/11 attacks the FBI was forced to evacuate its New York headquarters, and with no resources transformed a greasy automotive garage into a new command center. THE 26TH STREET GARAGE took viewers inside this story of ingenuity, teamwork and determination through exclusive interviews with the FBI agents and officials who were there.
Also from See It Now Studios is RACE AGAINST TIME: THE CIA AND 9/11 for the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+. RACE AGAINST TIME was the gripping account of one of the darkest days in American history, as told from inside the nation’s premier spy agency. Featuring top officials and elite operatives from inside the CIA, the documentary brings the dramatic, exclusive and haunting story of the efforts to warn the nation of a potential catastrophic attack orchestrated by Osama Bin Laden.
Prior to being named president of See It Now Studios, Zirinsky spent two years as president and senior executive producer of CBS News, becoming the first woman to hold that job in the history of the Network.
She began her career in the CBS News Washington bureau two weeks after the Watergate break-in, and during her career has earned virtually every major broadcast journalism award and accolade.
Over five decades with CBS News, she has produced a wide variety of award-winning documentaries and programs, and has covered a range of historic stories, from the Gulf War to the student uprising in Tiananmen Square, from the White House for 10 years to the 9/11 attacks, and from the Paris terrorist attacks to the mass shooting at a Parkland, Fla., school.
As president of CBS News, Zirinsky oversaw an overhaul of the news division, including launching the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH NORAH O’DONNELL and moving the broadcast to Washington, D.C., where it is the only broadcast network nightly newscast to be based in the nation’s capital. In 2019 she re-imagined the CBS THIS MORNING anchor team with co-hosts Gayle King, Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil and worked to grow CBS News’ multiplatform presence. She also named new executive leadership and several new executive producers of several flagship programs, including 60 MINUTES, CBS THIS MORNING (now CBS MORNINGS), CBS EVENING NEWS, 48 HOURS and a newly created CBS NEWS SPECIAL EVENTS unit.
Zirinsky has extensive experience leading teams of investigative journalists, building and developing new non-fiction programs, creating innovative ways to report news and mentoring and guiding the careers of some of the industry’s brightest journalists.
Prior to becoming president and senior executive producer of CBS News, Zirinsky was the senior executive producer of the award-winning 48 HOURS and was responsible for numerous CBS News breaking news specials. She was also the senior executive producer of 48 HOURS: NCIS and the senior executive producer of the CBS primetime series WHISTLEBLOWER.
A prolific producer on a variety of issues and subjects, her work has been lauded by critics and honored by her peers with journalism’s top honors, including Emmys, the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award and the George Foster Peabody Award.
She has executive produced many highly praised and compelling news documentaries, including THE SPYMASTERS – CIA IN THE CROSSHAIRS for SHOWTIME in 2015, co-produced with filmmakers Gideon and Jules Naudet and Chris Whipple, featuring, for the first time, interviews with all 12 living former and current heads of the CIA, appearing in one program. In 2004, also for SHOWTIME, she executive produced THREE DAYS IN SEPTEMBER, which told the story of a school taken hostage in Beslan, Russia. Narrated by Julia Roberts, that documentary was also featured in the Tribeca Film Festival. In addition, in 2002, she co-executive produced with the Naudets and firefighter James Hanlon “9/11,” the most comprehensive account of the tragedy. Hosted by Robert De Niro, more than 39 million people watched this Peabody and Emmy Award-winning documentary.
Zirinsky executive produced the 2013 CBS News documentary series BROOKLYN DA, a candid look behind the scenes at investigators pursuing crime and punishment.
Additionally, Zirinsky is a successful producer of CBS breaking news specials. Those projects include the March 2018 documentary 39 DAYS, which followed the group of students who banded together after the Parkland, Fla., mass shooting, co-executive produced by Judy Tygard. She has also produced breaking news specials on the royal wedding in 2018; the inauguration of President Donald Trump in 2017; the Dallas police shootings in 2016; the terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015; the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013; the mass shooting in an Aurora, Colo., theater in 2012; and the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting also in 2012. She’s produced specials following the deaths of Mary Tyler Moore in 2017, Muhammad Ali in 2016 and Nelson Mandela in 2013. In 2009 Zirinsky executive produced TED KENNEDY: THE LAST BROTHER and THAT’S THE WAY IT WAS: REMEMBERING WALTER CRONKITE.
She also produced the documentary series “The Injustice Files” for ID Discovery and the CBS News documentaries THE LORD’S BOOTCAMP, IN GOD’S NAME and FLASHPOINT. She executive produced DAVID LETTERMAN: A LIFE ON TELEVISION in 2015; VANITY FAIR’S HOLLYWOOD in 2013; THE GRAMMYS WILL GO ON: A DEATH IN THE FAMILY, a 2013 documentary about the GRAMMYs and the night Whitney Houston died; and FASHION’S NIGHT OUT with Vogue editor Anna Wintour in 2010.
Zirinsky got her start at CBS News at a critical time in the nation’s history. Beginning as a part-time desk assistant in the CBS Washington Bureau in 1972 while attending college at American University, she was surrounded by the legendary CBS News reporting team led by Walter Cronkite that dominated Watergate coverage on television. In October 1973, she was alone in the Washington newsroom one night when word broke that President Richard Nixon had fired his attorney general, the so-called “Saturday Night Massacre.” She found herself at the center of a huge story.
Continually growing within the division, Zirinsky became an associate producer for “The CBS Morning News” and then a producer on “The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite.” In that role, she became a White House producer and spent a decade covering the Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan presidencies. She traveled with them throughout the world where she produced reports with Lesley Stahl, Ed Bradley, Bob Simon, Bob Schieffer and Bill Plante for various broadcasts. She was promoted in 1987 to senior producer for the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH DAN RATHER in Washington.
In 1984, while Zirinsky covered the Democratic National Convention, Academy Award-winning producer James L. Brooks interviewed her about her job. As a result, while still working at CBS News, Zirinsky became the technical advisor/associate producer for Brooks’ film “Broadcast News,” starring Holly Hunter as a Washington network news producer.
In 1989, Zirinsky was assigned to Beijing, China, to run CBS News coverage of what was to be the first visit of a Russian president to China in 30 years. What it became was the student uprising in Tiananmen Square. CBS News broadcast the demonstrations and violence from Beijing exclusively for several days until the Chinese government ordered the satellite transmitter shutdown. She was then sent to Panama as producer-in-charge as the U.S. invaded that country. A few months later, she was dispatched to cover Operation Desert Storm, launched by the U.S. military and its allies following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. Ever the fierce competitor, she maneuvered the first network team to arrive with the allied forces when they took Kuwait back from Iraqi soldiers.
In 1990, she moved from Washington to New York as senior producer of the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH DAN RATHER and became the senior broadcast producer. In 1992, she was director of CBS News political coverage and then executive producer of CBS News “Campaign ‘96.” During that period, she was also CBS News’ senior producer at the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville, France, overseeing the Network’s CBS News and Sports news desk. She served as executive producer of the CBS News magazine EYE TO EYE WITH CONNIE CHUNG in 1994.
Zirinsky graduated cum laude from American University in Washington, D.C. The AU School of Communication honored her with the Dean’s Award in 2018.
September 2023
Susan Zirinsky is the president of See It Now Studios, where she oversees the development, production and distribution of original documentaries and docuseries for Paramount+, CBS, Paramount Global networks and third-party platforms.
Under Zirinsky’s leadership, See It Now Studios in 2022 produced more than 51 hours of programing for Paramount+, the CBS Television Network, third-party providers and Paramount Global Distribution. See It Now Studios has emerged as a premium provider of non-fiction, multiplatform content that attracts high-level talent, respected co-production partners and draws large levels of viewer engagement.
Since launching in September 2021, See It Now Studios has produced such projects as News and Documentary Emmy nominees 11 MINUTES and WATERGATE: HIGH CRIMES IN THE WHITE HOUSE, along with SUPERPOWER co-directed by Sean Penn, the Mandy Patinkin-narrated series INDIVISIBLE: HEALING HATE, and FBI TRUE, NEVER SEEN AGAIN, THE GIFT: KINDNESS GOES VIRAL WITH STEVE HARTMAN, RACE AGAINST TIME: THE CIA AND 9/11, THE 26TH STREET GARAGE: THE FBI’S UNTOLD STORY OF 9/11, SECRETS OF THE OLIGARCH WIVES, GHISLAINE: PARTNER IN CRIME, and interview specials with Halle Berry, Chris Rock and Prince Harry.
One of the first projects developed by See It Now Studios was THE 26TH STREET GARAGE: THE FBI’S UNTOLD STORY OF 9/11 for Paramount+, which was narrated by Tom Selleck and revealed how in the desperate moments after the 9/11 attacks the FBI was forced to evacuate its New York headquarters, and with no resources transformed a greasy automotive garage into a new command center. THE 26TH STREET GARAGE took viewers inside this story of ingenuity, teamwork and determination through exclusive interviews with the FBI agents and officials who were there.
Also from See It Now Studios is RACE AGAINST TIME: THE CIA AND 9/11 for the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+. RACE AGAINST TIME was the gripping account of one of the darkest days in American history, as told from inside the nation’s premier spy agency. Featuring top officials and elite operatives from inside the CIA, the documentary brings the dramatic, exclusive and haunting story of the efforts to warn the nation of a potential catastrophic attack orchestrated by Osama Bin Laden.
Prior to being named president of See It Now Studios, Zirinsky spent two years as president and senior executive producer of CBS News, becoming the first woman to hold that job in the history of the Network.
She began her career in the CBS News Washington bureau two weeks after the Watergate break-in, and during her career has earned virtually every major broadcast journalism award and accolade.
Over five decades with CBS News, she has produced a wide variety of award-winning documentaries and programs, and has covered a range of historic stories, from the Gulf War to the student uprising in Tiananmen Square, from the White House for 10 years to the 9/11 attacks, and from the Paris terrorist attacks to the mass shooting at a Parkland, Fla., school.
As president of CBS News, Zirinsky oversaw an overhaul of the news division, including launching the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH NORAH O’DONNELL and moving the broadcast to Washington, D.C., where it is the only broadcast network nightly newscast to be based in the nation’s capital. In 2019 she re-imagined the CBS THIS MORNING anchor team with co-hosts Gayle King, Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil and worked to grow CBS News’ multiplatform presence. She also named new executive leadership and several new executive producers of several flagship programs, including 60 MINUTES, CBS THIS MORNING (now CBS MORNINGS), CBS EVENING NEWS, 48 HOURS and a newly created CBS NEWS SPECIAL EVENTS unit.
Zirinsky has extensive experience leading teams of investigative journalists, building and developing new non-fiction programs, creating innovative ways to report news and mentoring and guiding the careers of some of the industry’s brightest journalists.
Prior to becoming president and senior executive producer of CBS News, Zirinsky was the senior executive producer of the award-winning 48 HOURS and was responsible for numerous CBS News breaking news specials. She was also the senior executive producer of 48 HOURS: NCIS and the senior executive producer of the CBS primetime series WHISTLEBLOWER.
A prolific producer on a variety of issues and subjects, her work has been lauded by critics and honored by her peers with journalism’s top honors, including Emmys, the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award and the George Foster Peabody Award.
She has executive produced many highly praised and compelling news documentaries, including THE SPYMASTERS – CIA IN THE CROSSHAIRS for SHOWTIME in 2015, co-produced with filmmakers Gideon and Jules Naudet and Chris Whipple, featuring, for the first time, interviews with all 12 living former and current heads of the CIA, appearing in one program. In 2004, also for SHOWTIME, she executive produced THREE DAYS IN SEPTEMBER, which told the story of a school taken hostage in Beslan, Russia. Narrated by Julia Roberts, that documentary was also featured in the Tribeca Film Festival. In addition, in 2002, she co-executive produced with the Naudets and firefighter James Hanlon “9/11,” the most comprehensive account of the tragedy. Hosted by Robert De Niro, more than 39 million people watched this Peabody and Emmy Award-winning documentary.
Zirinsky executive produced the 2013 CBS News documentary series BROOKLYN DA, a candid look behind the scenes at investigators pursuing crime and punishment.
Additionally, Zirinsky is a successful producer of CBS breaking news specials. Those projects include the March 2018 documentary 39 DAYS, which followed the group of students who banded together after the Parkland, Fla., mass shooting, co-executive produced by Judy Tygard. She has also produced breaking news specials on the royal wedding in 2018; the inauguration of President Donald Trump in 2017; the Dallas police shootings in 2016; the terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015; the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013; the mass shooting in an Aurora, Colo., theater in 2012; and the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting also in 2012. She’s produced specials following the deaths of Mary Tyler Moore in 2017, Muhammad Ali in 2016 and Nelson Mandela in 2013. In 2009 Zirinsky executive produced TED KENNEDY: THE LAST BROTHER and THAT’S THE WAY IT WAS: REMEMBERING WALTER CRONKITE.
She also produced the documentary series “The Injustice Files” for ID Discovery and the CBS News documentaries THE LORD’S BOOTCAMP, IN GOD’S NAME and FLASHPOINT. She executive produced DAVID LETTERMAN: A LIFE ON TELEVISION in 2015; VANITY FAIR’S HOLLYWOOD in 2013; THE GRAMMYS WILL GO ON: A DEATH IN THE FAMILY, a 2013 documentary about the GRAMMYs and the night Whitney Houston died; and FASHION’S NIGHT OUT with Vogue editor Anna Wintour in 2010.
Zirinsky got her start at CBS News at a critical time in the nation’s history. Beginning as a part-time desk assistant in the CBS Washington Bureau in 1972 while attending college at American University, she was surrounded by the legendary CBS News reporting team led by Walter Cronkite that dominated Watergate coverage on television. In October 1973, she was alone in the Washington newsroom one night when word broke that President Richard Nixon had fired his attorney general, the so-called “Saturday Night Massacre.” She found herself at the center of a huge story.
Continually growing within the division, Zirinsky became an associate producer for “The CBS Morning News” and then a producer on “The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite.” In that role, she became a White House producer and spent a decade covering the Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan presidencies. She traveled with them throughout the world where she produced reports with Lesley Stahl, Ed Bradley, Bob Simon, Bob Schieffer and Bill Plante for various broadcasts. She was promoted in 1987 to senior producer for the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH DAN RATHER in Washington.
In 1984, while Zirinsky covered the Democratic National Convention, Academy Award-winning producer James L. Brooks interviewed her about her job. As a result, while still working at CBS News, Zirinsky became the technical advisor/associate producer for Brooks’ film “Broadcast News,” starring Holly Hunter as a Washington network news producer.
In 1989, Zirinsky was assigned to Beijing, China, to run CBS News coverage of what was to be the first visit of a Russian president to China in 30 years. What it became was the student uprising in Tiananmen Square. CBS News broadcast the demonstrations and violence from Beijing exclusively for several days until the Chinese government ordered the satellite transmitter shutdown. She was then sent to Panama as producer-in-charge as the U.S. invaded that country. A few months later, she was dispatched to cover Operation Desert Storm, launched by the U.S. military and its allies following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. Ever the fierce competitor, she maneuvered the first network team to arrive with the allied forces when they took Kuwait back from Iraqi soldiers.
In 1990, she moved from Washington to New York as senior producer of the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH DAN RATHER and became the senior broadcast producer. In 1992, she was director of CBS News political coverage and then executive producer of CBS News “Campaign ‘96.” During that period, she was also CBS News’ senior producer at the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville, France, overseeing the Network’s CBS News and Sports news desk. She served as executive producer of the CBS News magazine EYE TO EYE WITH CONNIE CHUNG in 1994.
Zirinsky graduated cum laude from American University in Washington, D.C. The AU School of Communication honored her with the Dean’s Award in 2018.
CBS News and Stations Executives
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CBS Studios
Brand Assets
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David Stapf
CBS Studios
June 2023
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 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.
June 2023
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 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.
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Kate Adler
CBS Studios
June 2023
Kate Adler serves as executive vice president of comedy development at CBS Studios, a title she has held since 2013 after joining the studio in 2005.
In her position, Adler oversees the development of all comedy series for broadcast, cable and streaming. Titles she has helped develop include GHOSTS for CBS, the new FRAISER for Paramount+, THE NEIGHBORHOOD for CBS, and award-winning titles including “Dead to Me” starring Christina Applegate for Netflix and CW’s CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, among others.
Prior to CBS Studios, Adler served as a producer for CBS’ SURVIVOR and “Crime & Punishment: Real-Life Law & Order” for NBC. In 2002, she was a producer on the Oscar-winning documentary “Twin Towers,” which told the story of the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit and their heroic acts on 9/11.
From 1997 to 2000, Adler was vice president of creative affairs for Worldwide Pants Incorporated, where she supervised all new series development, casting and production on EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND and “Ed,” and recruited writers for THE LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN and THE LATE LATE SHOW with CRAIG KILBORN. In 1994, Adler was director of comedy development for Walt Disney Network Television, where she developed shows for all six networks and served as current programming executive on the daytime talk show “Ellen.”
Prior to Disney, Adler worked at Creative Artists Agency as an assistant to the head of the television literary department.
Adler received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University.
June 2023
Kate Adler serves as executive vice president of comedy development at CBS Studios, a title she has held since 2013 after joining the studio in 2005.
In her position, Adler oversees the development of all comedy series for broadcast, cable and streaming. Titles she has helped develop include GHOSTS for CBS, the new FRAISER for Paramount+, THE NEIGHBORHOOD for CBS, and award-winning titles including “Dead to Me” starring Christina Applegate for Netflix and CW’s CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, among others.
Prior to CBS Studios, Adler served as a producer for CBS’ SURVIVOR and “Crime & Punishment: Real-Life Law & Order” for NBC. In 2002, she was a producer on the Oscar-winning documentary “Twin Towers,” which told the story of the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit and their heroic acts on 9/11.
From 1997 to 2000, Adler was vice president of creative affairs for Worldwide Pants Incorporated, where she supervised all new series development, casting and production on EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND and “Ed,” and recruited writers for THE LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN and THE LATE LATE SHOW with CRAIG KILBORN. In 1994, Adler was director of comedy development for Walt Disney Network Television, where she developed shows for all six networks and served as current programming executive on the daytime talk show “Ellen.”
Prior to Disney, Adler worked at Creative Artists Agency as an assistant to the head of the television literary department.
Adler received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University.
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Alec Botnick
CBS Studios
June 2023
Alec Botnick serves as executive vice president of comedy development and head of animation and alternative for CBS Studios. Botnick, who originally joined the Studio in 2015 as vice president of comedy development, was promoted to executive vice president in 2021.
In his position, Botnick oversees the Studio’s growing animation slate, including STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS for Paramount+, Andy Samberg’s DIGMAN!, Chris Rock’s animated adaptation EVERYBODY STILL HATES CHRIS and STEPHEN COLBERT PRESENTS TOONING OUT THE NEWS for Comedy Central.
Botnick helped develop award-winning comedy series such as “American Vandal” and “Dead to Me” for Netflix, and CBS hits GHOSTS and THE NEIGHBORHOOD, as well as “Colin from Accounts” for Foxtel.
In addition to his most recent role at the Studio, Botnick had previously been an agent in the television literary department at WME since 2009. While there, he packaged scripted TV series and represented writers, performers, directors and producers. He originally started in the mailroom at Endeavor while earning his J.D. at Loyola Law School.
June 2023
Alec Botnick serves as executive vice president of comedy development and head of animation and alternative for CBS Studios. Botnick, who originally joined the Studio in 2015 as vice president of comedy development, was promoted to executive vice president in 2021.
In his position, Botnick oversees the Studio’s growing animation slate, including STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS for Paramount+, Andy Samberg’s DIGMAN!, Chris Rock’s animated adaptation EVERYBODY STILL HATES CHRIS and STEPHEN COLBERT PRESENTS TOONING OUT THE NEWS for Comedy Central.
Botnick helped develop award-winning comedy series such as “American Vandal” and “Dead to Me” for Netflix, and CBS hits GHOSTS and THE NEIGHBORHOOD, as well as “Colin from Accounts” for Foxtel.
In addition to his most recent role at the Studio, Botnick had previously been an agent in the television literary department at WME since 2009. While there, he packaged scripted TV series and represented writers, performers, directors and producers. He originally started in the mailroom at Endeavor while earning his J.D. at Loyola Law School.
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Allison Brightman
CBS Studios
January 2020
Allison Brightman has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Business Affairs and Operations as of January 2020, reporting to Deborah Barak, President, Business Operations for CBS Entertainment, CBS Television Studios and CBS News, and David Stapf, President, CBS Television Studios.
Ms. Brightman, who has been with CBS for almost a decade and a half in increasingly senior business affairs roles, leads a business affairs department that supports an industry-leading studio that is currently producing more than 75 series across 15 platforms. In her position, Ms. Brightman will be responsible for overseeing all “above-the-line” deals for the Studio’s development and production of scripted series, including series for the CBS Television Network such as the NCIS franchise, BLUE BLOODS, HAWAII FIVE-0, EVIL and THE UNICORN; CBS All Access programming such as THE GOOD FIGHT, THE STAND and THE TWILIGHT ZONE; as well as The CW’s series, including NANCY DREW, DYNASTY and WALKER, the upcoming remake of “Walker, Texas Ranger.” She will continue to negotiate licensing deals on behalf of the studio with myriad platforms, including Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Peacock, HBO Max, TNT, TBS, USA and SyFy. Ms. Brightman will also oversee the Studio’s many overall term deals with writers, producers and directors.
Ms. Brightman joined the Studio in June 2006 as Vice President, Business Affairs and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2012. In 2017 she added business affairs responsibilities for the company’s streaming service CBS All Access to her portfolio. Prior to joining CBS, she worked as senior legal counsel at HBO since 1998.
Ms. Brightman earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley and her law degree from the USC Gould School of Law. She served as president of the board of directors of Disability Rights California for over eight years and continues to actively advocate on behalf of people with disabilities.
January 2020
Allison Brightman has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Business Affairs and Operations as of January 2020, reporting to Deborah Barak, President, Business Operations for CBS Entertainment, CBS Television Studios and CBS News, and David Stapf, President, CBS Television Studios.
Ms. Brightman, who has been with CBS for almost a decade and a half in increasingly senior business affairs roles, leads a business affairs department that supports an industry-leading studio that is currently producing more than 75 series across 15 platforms. In her position, Ms. Brightman will be responsible for overseeing all “above-the-line” deals for the Studio’s development and production of scripted series, including series for the CBS Television Network such as the NCIS franchise, BLUE BLOODS, HAWAII FIVE-0, EVIL and THE UNICORN; CBS All Access programming such as THE GOOD FIGHT, THE STAND and THE TWILIGHT ZONE; as well as The CW’s series, including NANCY DREW, DYNASTY and WALKER, the upcoming remake of “Walker, Texas Ranger.” She will continue to negotiate licensing deals on behalf of the studio with myriad platforms, including Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Peacock, HBO Max, TNT, TBS, USA and SyFy. Ms. Brightman will also oversee the Studio’s many overall term deals with writers, producers and directors.
Ms. Brightman joined the Studio in June 2006 as Vice President, Business Affairs and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2012. In 2017 she added business affairs responsibilities for the company’s streaming service CBS All Access to her portfolio. Prior to joining CBS, she worked as senior legal counsel at HBO since 1998.
Ms. Brightman earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley and her law degree from the USC Gould School of Law. She served as president of the board of directors of Disability Rights California for over eight years and continues to actively advocate on behalf of people with disabilities.
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Deborah Aquila
CBS Studios
Deborah Aquila’s expansive career has included a multitude of distinguished positions, including Senior Vice President of Features Casting for Paramount Pictures. In March 2020, Aquila returned to Paramount Television Studios (PTVS) as Executive Vice President and Head of Casting for the studio. Since rejoining the studio in 2020 Aquila has led casting efforts for the studio’s tentpole series including THE OFFER, GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES and FATAL ATTRACTION all for Paramount+ and the global sensation Tom Clancy’s “Jack Ryan” on Prime Video. In January 2023 Aquila expanded her role to include oversight of casting for CBS Studios making her the singular head of Casting for both studios. At CBS Studios, Aquila oversaw casting of CBS’s upcoming new dramas MATLOCK, starring Oscar® winner Kathy Bates, and ELSBETH, featuring Carrie Preston and Wendell Pierce, and new comedy series POPPA’S HOUSE, starring Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr.
Beginning as a casting director with Steven Soderbergh’s “Sex, Lies, and Videotape,” Aquila continued to build her respected reputation through her work on “Last Exit to Brooklyn,” “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Primal Fear,” among others. Aquila’s recent film and television credits include the Academy Award-winning “CODA” and “La La Land,” in addition to the critically acclaimed series “Dexter” (SHOWTIME), “The Shield” (FX) and “Mob City” (TNT).
Aquila is a proud member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Casting Society of America (CSA) and has been nominated 18 times for the Artios Award by the CSA, winning for the features “Red,” “My Week with Marilyn,” “CODA” and “La La Land.” Aquila was awarded the CSA’S Hoyt Bowers Award for Career Achievement in 2020. The 2021 Sundance Film Festival honored “CODA” with the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast.
In 2003, Aquila was recognized by the Hollywood community with the Hollywood Film Festival Career Achievement Award.
Deborah Aquila’s expansive career has included a multitude of distinguished positions, including Senior Vice President of Features Casting for Paramount Pictures. In March 2020, Aquila returned to Paramount Television Studios (PTVS) as Executive Vice President and Head of Casting for the studio. Since rejoining the studio in 2020 Aquila has led casting efforts for the studio’s tentpole series including THE OFFER, GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES and FATAL ATTRACTION all for Paramount+ and the global sensation Tom Clancy’s “Jack Ryan” on Prime Video. In January 2023 Aquila expanded her role to include oversight of casting for CBS Studios making her the singular head of Casting for both studios. At CBS Studios, Aquila oversaw casting of CBS’s upcoming new dramas MATLOCK, starring Oscar® winner Kathy Bates, and ELSBETH, featuring Carrie Preston and Wendell Pierce, and new comedy series POPPA’S HOUSE, starring Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr.
Beginning as a casting director with Steven Soderbergh’s “Sex, Lies, and Videotape,” Aquila continued to build her respected reputation through her work on “Last Exit to Brooklyn,” “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Primal Fear,” among others. Aquila’s recent film and television credits include the Academy Award-winning “CODA” and “La La Land,” in addition to the critically acclaimed series “Dexter” (SHOWTIME), “The Shield” (FX) and “Mob City” (TNT).
Aquila is a proud member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Casting Society of America (CSA) and has been nominated 18 times for the Artios Award by the CSA, winning for the features “Red,” “My Week with Marilyn,” “CODA” and “La La Land.” Aquila was awarded the CSA’S Hoyt Bowers Award for Career Achievement in 2020. The 2021 Sundance Film Festival honored “CODA” with the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast.
In 2003, Aquila was recognized by the Hollywood community with the Hollywood Film Festival Career Achievement Award.
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Eric Gray
CBS Studios
April 2022
Eric Gray joined ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global) in 2021 as CFO, CBS Studios and Network Entertainment. In this role, Gray is responsible for leading long-range strategic and financial growth plans, annual budgeting, monthly forecasting, content profitability analysis and management reporting for each division. Prior to this appointment, Gray spent 19 years at NBCUniversal, most recently serving as Chief Financial Officer, Universal Studio Group.
Earlier in his career, Gray held financial management roles at both Fox Broadcasting and the Walt Disney Company. He began his career with Coopers & Lybrand in Detroit, where he earned his CPA certification. Gray received his BA in accounting from Michigan State University.
Gray is based on the West Coast, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.
April 2022
Eric Gray joined ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global) in 2021 as CFO, CBS Studios and Network Entertainment. In this role, Gray is responsible for leading long-range strategic and financial growth plans, annual budgeting, monthly forecasting, content profitability analysis and management reporting for each division. Prior to this appointment, Gray spent 19 years at NBCUniversal, most recently serving as Chief Financial Officer, Universal Studio Group.
Earlier in his career, Gray held financial management roles at both Fox Broadcasting and the Walt Disney Company. He began his career with Coopers & Lybrand in Detroit, where he earned his CPA certification. Gray received his BA in accounting from Michigan State University.
Gray is based on the West Coast, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.
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Stephanie Groves
CBS Studios
April 2022
Stephanie Groves joined CBS Studios in 2018. She oversees the creative process on streaming, premium and cable series for CBS Studios.
The streaming slate currently includes around 20 series at varying stages of production, such as “Dead to Me” (Netflix), “Swagger” (Apple TV+), THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (Showtime), STAR TREK: PRODIGY (Nickelodeon), YOUR HONOR (Showtime), WHY WOMEN KILL, STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS, THE GAME and others for Paramount+.
Prior to joining CBS Studios, Stephanie spent 19 years at Warner Bros. Television, during which she oversaw current series, including “Fringe,” “Supernatural,” “11/22/63,” “Person of Interest” and “Arrow,” among others.
April 2022
Stephanie Groves joined CBS Studios in 2018. She oversees the creative process on streaming, premium and cable series for CBS Studios.
The streaming slate currently includes around 20 series at varying stages of production, such as “Dead to Me” (Netflix), “Swagger” (Apple TV+), THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (Showtime), STAR TREK: PRODIGY (Nickelodeon), YOUR HONOR (Showtime), WHY WOMEN KILL, STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS, THE GAME and others for Paramount+.
Prior to joining CBS Studios, Stephanie spent 19 years at Warner Bros. Television, during which she oversaw current series, including “Fringe,” “Supernatural,” “11/22/63,” “Person of Interest” and “Arrow,” among others.
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Kristen Hall
CBS Studios
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Karen Howard
CBS Studios
March 2022
Karen Howard joined CBS Studios in 2007 as Assistant General Counsel. She is co-head of the 40-member legal affairs department, managing production lawyers, legal clearance group, contract administration group and legal assistants.
In her role, Howard oversees production legal services for approximately 50 scripted television series for broadcast networks, cable networks and streaming platforms and for THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, THE LATE LATE SHOW with JAMES CORDEN, and THE TALK.
Fun fact: Karen lived in Japan for three years as a child.
March 2022
Karen Howard joined CBS Studios in 2007 as Assistant General Counsel. She is co-head of the 40-member legal affairs department, managing production lawyers, legal clearance group, contract administration group and legal assistants.
In her role, Howard oversees production legal services for approximately 50 scripted television series for broadcast networks, cable networks and streaming platforms and for THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, THE LATE LATE SHOW with JAMES CORDEN, and THE TALK.
Fun fact: Karen lived in Japan for three years as a child.
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Sheldon Kasdan
CBS Studios
March 2022
Sheldon Kasdan joined CBS in 2016 as Vice President, Labor Relations. He oversees CBS’ labor relations department, with a primary emphasis on labor negotiations and strategic support of both CBS’ Studio and Broadcast groups.
Kasdan is also CBS’ representative on the board of directors of the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers, the trade association that represents the Studio in industry-wide collective bargaining agreements.
Fun fact: In 2000 Kasdan set the record for the highest point total in the short-lived Fox Sports game show “Sports Geniuses” (a sports trivia game show).
March 2022
Sheldon Kasdan joined CBS in 2016 as Vice President, Labor Relations. He oversees CBS’ labor relations department, with a primary emphasis on labor negotiations and strategic support of both CBS’ Studio and Broadcast groups.
Kasdan is also CBS’ representative on the board of directors of the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers, the trade association that represents the Studio in industry-wide collective bargaining agreements.
Fun fact: In 2000 Kasdan set the record for the highest point total in the short-lived Fox Sports game show “Sports Geniuses” (a sports trivia game show).
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Eric Kim
CBS Studios
December 2022
Eric Kim serves as the executive vice president of current programs. In his new role, Mr. Kim oversees current primetime and daytime programming on the CBS Television Network and for CBS Studios.
Mr. Kim started at CBS in 2011. Over the last 11 years, he has overseen all phases of production on both comedy and drama series such as BLUE BLOODS, FBI: MOST WANTED, FBI: INTERNATIONAL, CSI and many more. Prior to joining the Network, he worked in live action series for Nickelodeon and Teen Nick from 2009-2011. He was also vice president of current programming at the CW from 2006-2009, and was part of the creative team that launched the new network when The WB and UPN networks merged. Mr. Kim was also an executive at UPN from 2004-2006.
Mr. Kim got his start in the entertainment industry working for director Jonathan Demme on the Academy Award-winning film “Philadelphia” – upon its completion, he followed Demme to his production company in New York.
Mr. Kim graduated from The University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. He currently sits on the board of Colour Entertainment, a non-profit organization of diverse executives in the media landscape. He also serves as a board member of non-profit Korean American Leaders in Hollywood (KALH). Formerly, he was a board member of the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE).
December 2022
Eric Kim serves as the executive vice president of current programs. In his new role, Mr. Kim oversees current primetime and daytime programming on the CBS Television Network and for CBS Studios.
Mr. Kim started at CBS in 2011. Over the last 11 years, he has overseen all phases of production on both comedy and drama series such as BLUE BLOODS, FBI: MOST WANTED, FBI: INTERNATIONAL, CSI and many more. Prior to joining the Network, he worked in live action series for Nickelodeon and Teen Nick from 2009-2011. He was also vice president of current programming at the CW from 2006-2009, and was part of the creative team that launched the new network when The WB and UPN networks merged. Mr. Kim was also an executive at UPN from 2004-2006.
Mr. Kim got his start in the entertainment industry working for director Jonathan Demme on the Academy Award-winning film “Philadelphia” – upon its completion, he followed Demme to his production company in New York.
Mr. Kim graduated from The University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. He currently sits on the board of Colour Entertainment, a non-profit organization of diverse executives in the media landscape. He also serves as a board member of non-profit Korean American Leaders in Hollywood (KALH). Formerly, he was a board member of the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE).
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Liz Miller
CBS Studios
Liz Miller is the EVP, Head of Production at Paramount Television Studios & CBS Studios.
Part of the Paramount family for over 30 years, Miller rejoined Paramount Television Studios from Netflix in 2019 as SVP Production. In 2022 Miller’s role was expanded to give her oversight of all PTVS Production, and in 2023 she also added oversight of CBS Studios Production, making her EVP and head of production for both studios. In this current position Miller and her team are responsible for overseeing both the production and post production process, establishing and curating relations with producers, productions and production companies, reviewing budgets, and supporting/suggesting best production practices. She works closely with the Creative, Casting, Finance, VFX and Post Production departments as well as other internal teams to ensure efficient delivery of the studios’ series from script to on-air. Some notable titles she has overseen include Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Reacher, 13 Reasons Why, The Haunting of Bly Manor, the Star Trek franchise, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies and the upcoming The Spiderwick Chronicles and Cross.
While at Netflix, Miller served as Director of Production, working on such shows as Bridgerton, Jupiter’s Legacy, Narcos and Outer Banks.
Prior to Netflix, she served as SVP of Television Production at CBS Studios, working on such hits as Star Trek: Discovery, The Good Wife, The Good Fight, Hawaii 5-0, Magnum PI, Bull, Madam Secretary and Blue Bloods. In her first stint at Paramount, Miller worked on Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, as well as television classics Cheers and Frasier.
Liz received a bachelor's degree in broadcast communications at the University of Hawaii. She resides with her husband and two children in the Los Angeles area.
Liz Miller is the EVP, Head of Production at Paramount Television Studios & CBS Studios.
Part of the Paramount family for over 30 years, Miller rejoined Paramount Television Studios from Netflix in 2019 as SVP Production. In 2022 Miller’s role was expanded to give her oversight of all PTVS Production, and in 2023 she also added oversight of CBS Studios Production, making her EVP and head of production for both studios. In this current position Miller and her team are responsible for overseeing both the production and post production process, establishing and curating relations with producers, productions and production companies, reviewing budgets, and supporting/suggesting best production practices. She works closely with the Creative, Casting, Finance, VFX and Post Production departments as well as other internal teams to ensure efficient delivery of the studios’ series from script to on-air. Some notable titles she has overseen include Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Reacher, 13 Reasons Why, The Haunting of Bly Manor, the Star Trek franchise, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies and the upcoming The Spiderwick Chronicles and Cross.
While at Netflix, Miller served as Director of Production, working on such shows as Bridgerton, Jupiter’s Legacy, Narcos and Outer Banks.
Prior to Netflix, she served as SVP of Television Production at CBS Studios, working on such hits as Star Trek: Discovery, The Good Wife, The Good Fight, Hawaii 5-0, Magnum PI, Bull, Madam Secretary and Blue Bloods. In her first stint at Paramount, Miller worked on Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, as well as television classics Cheers and Frasier.
Liz received a bachelor's degree in broadcast communications at the University of Hawaii. She resides with her husband and two children in the Los Angeles area.
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Lindsey Martin
CBS Studios
June 2023
Lindsey Martin is SVP of international co-productions and development for CBS Studios International. Martin oversees the Studios’ global slate of diverse, premium scripted series, including the first-ever international series to come out of the NCIS franchise, NCIS: SYDNEY; an Australian period comedy “Gold Diggers”; and “Oderbruch,” an elevated-genre drama in Germany. She is currently executive producing series at Sky, ABC, Network 10, Channel 5, ARD Degeto, Amazon and Paramount+, among others, and continues to source, package and develop international co-productions for the Studios.
Prior to joining CBS, Martin was one of the first creative scripted hires for Netflix in APAC. She was responsible for the development, production and launch of over 10 Asian original series – including “Selection Day” in India, “The Ghost Bride” in Malaysia and “The Stranded” in Thailand – and built out the creative pipeline across Southeast Asia and Australia. Prior to Netflix, Martin was VP of co-productions and development at Infinite Studios Singapore, where she co-produced films and series such as “Crazy Rich Asians” for Warner Bros and “Halfworlds” for HBO Asia.
Before moving to Asia, Martin had a successful career in U.S. domestic film and television as head of development for Mike Tollin Pictures, where she worked on Yahoo’s first original comedy series and set up shows at networks including Showtime, TBS, Fox, ABC and MTV. She started her career with the Mark Gordon Company, working across film and series, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” CRIMINAL MINDS, “Army Wives” and RAY DONOVAN.
June 2023
Lindsey Martin is SVP of international co-productions and development for CBS Studios International. Martin oversees the Studios’ global slate of diverse, premium scripted series, including the first-ever international series to come out of the NCIS franchise, NCIS: SYDNEY; an Australian period comedy “Gold Diggers”; and “Oderbruch,” an elevated-genre drama in Germany. She is currently executive producing series at Sky, ABC, Network 10, Channel 5, ARD Degeto, Amazon and Paramount+, among others, and continues to source, package and develop international co-productions for the Studios.
Prior to joining CBS, Martin was one of the first creative scripted hires for Netflix in APAC. She was responsible for the development, production and launch of over 10 Asian original series – including “Selection Day” in India, “The Ghost Bride” in Malaysia and “The Stranded” in Thailand – and built out the creative pipeline across Southeast Asia and Australia. Prior to Netflix, Martin was VP of co-productions and development at Infinite Studios Singapore, where she co-produced films and series such as “Crazy Rich Asians” for Warner Bros and “Halfworlds” for HBO Asia.
Before moving to Asia, Martin had a successful career in U.S. domestic film and television as head of development for Mike Tollin Pictures, where she worked on Yahoo’s first original comedy series and set up shows at networks including Showtime, TBS, Fox, ABC and MTV. She started her career with the Mark Gordon Company, working across film and series, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” CRIMINAL MINDS, “Army Wives” and RAY DONOVAN.
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Amy Osler
CBS Studios
December 2019
Amy Osler was named Executive Vice President, Music, CBS Television Studios in August 2018.
In her position, Osler serves as the liaison between CBS Television Network/Studios and the music industry, and is responsible for identifying new and established performers whose music or personal appearances can be integrated into programming across all series.
Osler has been responsible for many creative music integrations since joining CBS Television Studios in 2006. She has secured musical guest appearances by Black Sabbath, Maren Morris, Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, Cyndi Lauper, Darius Rucker, Ziggy Marley and the X Ambassadors.
Osler works with artists, managers, producers, writers, publishers and record companies in conjunction with music supervisors to secure creative placement of recorded and live music in CBS and CBS Television Studios programs.
From 2004-2006, Osler was Vice President of Television Marketing for Columbia Records, where her job responsibilities included securing placement of current and catalog music in television shows as well as creating performance opportunities for artists in primetime and daytime television.
Osler began her music industry career at MCA Concerts, where she worked from 1991-1995. She transitioned to Sony Music/Columbia Records, where she spent nine years (1995-2004), including the last seven as Vice President of Media for Columbia Records, where she was responsible for placing the company’s artists on all late night television shows, award shows and specials in a performance capacity as well as in acting roles.
December 2019
Amy Osler was named Executive Vice President, Music, CBS Television Studios in August 2018.
In her position, Osler serves as the liaison between CBS Television Network/Studios and the music industry, and is responsible for identifying new and established performers whose music or personal appearances can be integrated into programming across all series.
Osler has been responsible for many creative music integrations since joining CBS Television Studios in 2006. She has secured musical guest appearances by Black Sabbath, Maren Morris, Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, Cyndi Lauper, Darius Rucker, Ziggy Marley and the X Ambassadors.
Osler works with artists, managers, producers, writers, publishers and record companies in conjunction with music supervisors to secure creative placement of recorded and live music in CBS and CBS Television Studios programs.
From 2004-2006, Osler was Vice President of Television Marketing for Columbia Records, where her job responsibilities included securing placement of current and catalog music in television shows as well as creating performance opportunities for artists in primetime and daytime television.
Osler began her music industry career at MCA Concerts, where she worked from 1991-1995. She transitioned to Sony Music/Columbia Records, where she spent nine years (1995-2004), including the last seven as Vice President of Media for Columbia Records, where she was responsible for placing the company’s artists on all late night television shows, award shows and specials in a performance capacity as well as in acting roles.
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Bryan Seabury
CBS Studios
June 2023
In his position as EVP of drama development, Seabury oversees the development and creation of all drama series for broadcast, cable and streaming on behalf of CBS Studios. Seabury has developed dozens of successful series, including this season’s most-watched new drama, FIRE COUNTRY for CBS, YOUR HONOR for Showtime, RABBIT HOLE for Paramount+, “Swagger” for Apple TV+, “Unbelievable” and the upcoming “Glamorous” for Netflix, and “Most Dangerous Game” for Quibi/Roku, among others.
Seabury was named head of drama development at CBS Studios in 2016, which marked his return to the studio after nearly seven years in drama development at CBS Network. During that time, he was involved in the development of BULL, BLUE BLOODS, MADAM SECRETARY, NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, SCORPION, ELEMENTARY and HAWAII FIVE-O.
Prior to his stint at CBS Entertainment, Seabury was vice president of drama development for CBS Studios, joining the company in July 2006.
Previously, he served as vice president of TV development for Mark Johnson’s Gran Via Productions, where he developed and served as a producer on LOVE MONKEY for CBS. Seabury graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Vanderbilt University.
June 2023
In his position as EVP of drama development, Seabury oversees the development and creation of all drama series for broadcast, cable and streaming on behalf of CBS Studios. Seabury has developed dozens of successful series, including this season’s most-watched new drama, FIRE COUNTRY for CBS, YOUR HONOR for Showtime, RABBIT HOLE for Paramount+, “Swagger” for Apple TV+, “Unbelievable” and the upcoming “Glamorous” for Netflix, and “Most Dangerous Game” for Quibi/Roku, among others.
Seabury was named head of drama development at CBS Studios in 2016, which marked his return to the studio after nearly seven years in drama development at CBS Network. During that time, he was involved in the development of BULL, BLUE BLOODS, MADAM SECRETARY, NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, SCORPION, ELEMENTARY and HAWAII FIVE-O.
Prior to his stint at CBS Entertainment, Seabury was vice president of drama development for CBS Studios, joining the company in July 2006.
Previously, he served as vice president of TV development for Mark Johnson’s Gran Via Productions, where he developed and served as a producer on LOVE MONKEY for CBS. Seabury graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Vanderbilt University.
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Ellen Waggoner
CBS Studios
March 2022
Ellen Waggoner joined CBS Studios’ predecessor, Paramount Network Television, in 1999. She is co-head of the 40-member legal affairs department, managing production lawyers, legal clearance group, contract administration group and legal assistants.
In her role, Waggoner oversees production legal services for approximately 50 scripted television series for broadcast networks, cable networks and streaming platforms and for late night programming.
Fun fact: Ellen is a devoted animal rescuer/activist and vegan.
March 2022
Ellen Waggoner joined CBS Studios’ predecessor, Paramount Network Television, in 1999. She is co-head of the 40-member legal affairs department, managing production lawyers, legal clearance group, contract administration group and legal assistants.
In her role, Waggoner oversees production legal services for approximately 50 scripted television series for broadcast networks, cable networks and streaming platforms and for late night programming.
Fun fact: Ellen is a devoted animal rescuer/activist and vegan.
CBS Studios Executives
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CBS Media Ventures
Brand Assets
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Wendy McMahon
CBS Media Ventures
August 2023
A highly accomplished media executive with a record of driving audience growth and business success across all broadcast, digital and streaming platforms, Wendy McMahon is president and chief executive officer of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures (CMV). She assumed this newly created and expanded role that includes singular oversight of CBS News and Stations as well as leadership of CBS’ domestic syndication business in August 2023.
McMahon leads all of CBS News’ broadcast and streaming operations, 27 local television stations, 14 local news streaming channels and CMV’s top-rated first-run syndication programming, as well as its content licensing to television stations and the division’s national advertising sales business. Prior to assuming this role, she served as president and co-head of CBS News and Stations, since May 2021, and shared responsibility for bringing together for the first time the people and resources of CBS News, CBS News Digital and CBS Television Stations to create the leading local-to-global news organization in the United States.
Under McMahon’s leadership, CBS has reimagined its approach to operating the Company’s television stations in 17 major U.S. markets, the stations’ websites and mobile platforms, local news streaming channels, and Newspath, the CBS Television Network’s affiliate news service.
Embracing what she calls “The Three C’s: Content, Culture and Community,” McMahon has championed initiatives that have increased the local news hours produced by CBS Stations from 26,000 in 2021 to more than 35,000 in 2023 – with an emphasis on solutions-oriented community journalism that aligns with the stations’ mission of making the markets they serve better places to live. The station group’s expansion efforts also include the creation of the CBS Local News Innovation Lab in Dallas-Fort Worth, where a curated team of journalists produce next-generation storytelling and investigations that leverage data and technology to deepen viewer engagement; the “Newsroom of the Future” at CBS News Detroit; and the first-ever morning news franchise at KCAL in Los Angeles.
Under McMahon, CBS News and Stations has prioritized diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, hired and promoted several women and/or people of color to serve in key roles and dramatically improved the workplace environment for all of its team members.
In the past year, McMahon has been recognized for her leadership by being named as one of Variety’s Women’s Impact Report honorees and a Wonder Woman of Los Angeles by Multichannel News and Broadcasting & Cable.
Prior to returning to CBS in 2021, McMahon was president of the ABC Owned Television Stations, with direct responsibility for the Walt Disney Company’s eight broadcast stations, local newsrooms and streaming assets. Before that, she was the senior vice president of ABC Owned Television Stations’ Digital, where she crafted a multiplatform future for the group and was responsible for leading digital content, products and technology, and audience development strategies and initiatives.
Previously, McMahon served as vice president of marketing at KABC in Los Angeles and as a creative services director at CBS-owned stations WBZ in Boston and WCCO in Minneapolis-St. Paul. She began her career as a promotion manager for WTOC in Savannah, Ga.
In 2019, McMahon was named the Young Alumna of the Year by her alma mater, Louisiana State University, and the Digital Leader of the Year by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). Throughout her career, her teams have received numerous Emmys, Associated Press and regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, as well as National Murrow Awards during each of the last three years: (2020, Breaking News), (2021, Best Newscast) and (2022, Investigative Reporting). Her creative teams have also been honored with several Promax, Telly and Broadcast Design Awards for excellence in marketing and brand development.
McMahon graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication – broadcast journalism. She is married to William Burton and they are proud parents of an 11-year-old son.
August 2023
A highly accomplished media executive with a record of driving audience growth and business success across all broadcast, digital and streaming platforms, Wendy McMahon is president and chief executive officer of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures (CMV). She assumed this newly created and expanded role that includes singular oversight of CBS News and Stations as well as leadership of CBS’ domestic syndication business in August 2023.
McMahon leads all of CBS News’ broadcast and streaming operations, 27 local television stations, 14 local news streaming channels and CMV’s top-rated first-run syndication programming, as well as its content licensing to television stations and the division’s national advertising sales business. Prior to assuming this role, she served as president and co-head of CBS News and Stations, since May 2021, and shared responsibility for bringing together for the first time the people and resources of CBS News, CBS News Digital and CBS Television Stations to create the leading local-to-global news organization in the United States.
Under McMahon’s leadership, CBS has reimagined its approach to operating the Company’s television stations in 17 major U.S. markets, the stations’ websites and mobile platforms, local news streaming channels, and Newspath, the CBS Television Network’s affiliate news service.
Embracing what she calls “The Three C’s: Content, Culture and Community,” McMahon has championed initiatives that have increased the local news hours produced by CBS Stations from 26,000 in 2021 to more than 35,000 in 2023 – with an emphasis on solutions-oriented community journalism that aligns with the stations’ mission of making the markets they serve better places to live. The station group’s expansion efforts also include the creation of the CBS Local News Innovation Lab in Dallas-Fort Worth, where a curated team of journalists produce next-generation storytelling and investigations that leverage data and technology to deepen viewer engagement; the “Newsroom of the Future” at CBS News Detroit; and the first-ever morning news franchise at KCAL in Los Angeles.
Under McMahon, CBS News and Stations has prioritized diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, hired and promoted several women and/or people of color to serve in key roles and dramatically improved the workplace environment for all of its team members.
In the past year, McMahon has been recognized for her leadership by being named as one of Variety’s Women’s Impact Report honorees and a Wonder Woman of Los Angeles by Multichannel News and Broadcasting & Cable.
Prior to returning to CBS in 2021, McMahon was president of the ABC Owned Television Stations, with direct responsibility for the Walt Disney Company’s eight broadcast stations, local newsrooms and streaming assets. Before that, she was the senior vice president of ABC Owned Television Stations’ Digital, where she crafted a multiplatform future for the group and was responsible for leading digital content, products and technology, and audience development strategies and initiatives.
Previously, McMahon served as vice president of marketing at KABC in Los Angeles and as a creative services director at CBS-owned stations WBZ in Boston and WCCO in Minneapolis-St. Paul. She began her career as a promotion manager for WTOC in Savannah, Ga.
In 2019, McMahon was named the Young Alumna of the Year by her alma mater, Louisiana State University, and the Digital Leader of the Year by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). Throughout her career, her teams have received numerous Emmys, Associated Press and regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, as well as National Murrow Awards during each of the last three years: (2020, Breaking News), (2021, Best Newscast) and (2022, Investigative Reporting). Her creative teams have also been honored with several Promax, Telly and Broadcast Design Awards for excellence in marketing and brand development.
McMahon graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication – broadcast journalism. She is married to William Burton and they are proud parents of an 11-year-old son.
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Adrienne Roark
CBS Media Ventures
November 2023
Veteran CBS executive Adrienne Roark was named president of content development and integration for CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures in October 2023. In this role, she reports to Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures, and is responsible for bringing together the teams across these businesses to create and share content to grow audience reach and impact, industry leadership and organizational effectiveness. In addition, Roark, who is based in New York, continues to oversee CBS-owned stations in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Miami, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Roark assumed her current role after serving as president of CBS Stations beginning in August 2021. In addition to leading stations in the eastern half of the country, she was responsible for overseeing the creation and launch of the “Newsroom of the Future” and CBS News Detroit, a local news organization that was built from the ground up with a streaming-first mentality, at WWJ-TV in January 2023. She also continues to oversee the CBS Local News Innovation Lab, which is based in Dallas-Fort Worth, where since 2022 a curated team of CBS News and Stations employees has been empowered to experiment with next-generation storytelling, including data journalism, and test new products, workflows and production models.
Most recently, Roark has overseen CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures’ investments in data journalism as well as investigative and environmental reporting, including weather technology and climate coverage, in ways that benefit all of CBS News, Stations and Media Ventures’ brands.
Roark rejoined CBS in 2021 after spending seven years in Portland, first as general manager of CBS affiliate KOIN-TV, beginning in 2014; then as general manager of Fox affiliate KPTV-TV and MyNetwork station KPDX-TV since 2016.
Prior to that, Roark served for four years as vice president and news director at KTVT-TV and KTXA-TV, the CBS-owned stations in Dallas-Fort Worth. She joined CBS Stations in 2007 as assistant news director at WFOR-TV and WBFS-TV in Miami. Six months later, she was promoted to news director. While in Miami, she created an award-winning investigative unit, worked closely with CBS News’ 60 MINUTES on a Medicare fraud story and was responsible for the first on-air news story shot entirely with an iPhone.
Roark’s news background also includes positions with WESH-TV in Orlando, WTVJ-TV in Miami, WKYC-TV in Cleveland and WCMH-TV in Columbus, Ohio. An Ohio native, she began her career at WBNS-TV, the CBS affiliate in Columbus, after graduating from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
Roark is a Poynter Ethics Fellow and Carole Kneeland Fellowship alum. She has long been active in community organizations – she served as the board chair of the Boys and Girls Club of Portland and held board positions with Sport Oregon, Veterans’ Legacies, the Dougy Center and the Oregon Association of Broadcasters. Roark is a three-time regional Emmy award winner and has received six regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Roark and her husband, Dave, are the proud parents of two sons, Alex and Stephen.
November 2023
Veteran CBS executive Adrienne Roark was named president of content development and integration for CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures in October 2023. In this role, she reports to Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures, and is responsible for bringing together the teams across these businesses to create and share content to grow audience reach and impact, industry leadership and organizational effectiveness. In addition, Roark, who is based in New York, continues to oversee CBS-owned stations in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Miami, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Roark assumed her current role after serving as president of CBS Stations beginning in August 2021. In addition to leading stations in the eastern half of the country, she was responsible for overseeing the creation and launch of the “Newsroom of the Future” and CBS News Detroit, a local news organization that was built from the ground up with a streaming-first mentality, at WWJ-TV in January 2023. She also continues to oversee the CBS Local News Innovation Lab, which is based in Dallas-Fort Worth, where since 2022 a curated team of CBS News and Stations employees has been empowered to experiment with next-generation storytelling, including data journalism, and test new products, workflows and production models.
Most recently, Roark has overseen CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures’ investments in data journalism as well as investigative and environmental reporting, including weather technology and climate coverage, in ways that benefit all of CBS News, Stations and Media Ventures’ brands.
Roark rejoined CBS in 2021 after spending seven years in Portland, first as general manager of CBS affiliate KOIN-TV, beginning in 2014; then as general manager of Fox affiliate KPTV-TV and MyNetwork station KPDX-TV since 2016.
Prior to that, Roark served for four years as vice president and news director at KTVT-TV and KTXA-TV, the CBS-owned stations in Dallas-Fort Worth. She joined CBS Stations in 2007 as assistant news director at WFOR-TV and WBFS-TV in Miami. Six months later, she was promoted to news director. While in Miami, she created an award-winning investigative unit, worked closely with CBS News’ 60 MINUTES on a Medicare fraud story and was responsible for the first on-air news story shot entirely with an iPhone.
Roark’s news background also includes positions with WESH-TV in Orlando, WTVJ-TV in Miami, WKYC-TV in Cleveland and WCMH-TV in Columbus, Ohio. An Ohio native, she began her career at WBNS-TV, the CBS affiliate in Columbus, after graduating from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
Roark is a Poynter Ethics Fellow and Carole Kneeland Fellowship alum. She has long been active in community organizations – she served as the board chair of the Boys and Girls Club of Portland and held board positions with Sport Oregon, Veterans’ Legacies, the Dougy Center and the Oregon Association of Broadcasters. Roark is a three-time regional Emmy award winner and has received six regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Roark and her husband, Dave, are the proud parents of two sons, Alex and Stephen.
CBS Media Ventures Executives
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Paramount Global Content Distribution
Brand Assets
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Dan Cohen
Paramount Global Content Distribution
January 2023
DAN COHEN
Chief Content Licensing Officer and President, Republic Pictures
Dan Cohen is chief content licensing officer for Paramount where he leads the company’s global content licensing and distribution operations. He is responsible for monetizing a large and growing portfolio of original content that airs or streams on the CBS Television Network, The CW, Paramount+ and SHOWTIME, as well as programming from Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television Studios, CBS Studios, CBS News, CBS Media Ventures, the MTV Entertainment Studios, Nickelodeon, VIS, Miramax and third-party partners. He also runs worldwide home entertainment for the company overseeing the distribution of the industry’s largest library of film and television titles.
Cohen assumed leadership of the division following his role as president, global content licensing, formerly for ViacomCBS. Previously, Cohen served as president of Worldwide Home Entertainment & Television Distribution for Paramount Pictures. He joined Paramount in 2017 as president of Worldwide Television Licensing.
Prior to joining Paramount, Cohen spent 20 years at Disney/ABC, where he served as executive vice president of pay television and digital sales for home entertainment and television distribution for the Walt Disney Studios. In this role, he distributed catalog and properties such as Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, ABC, and Disney Channel to businesses around the globe. Cohen was also responsible for securing two of the most significant pay television deals in history
– Netflix in 2012 and Starz in 1999 – negotiating exclusive, multi-year deals and licensing agreements.
Before Disney/ABC, Cohen served as vice president of program acquisitions and scheduling for Tele-TV Media, vice president of film acquisitions and co-productions for Showtime Networks, and held roles at Viewer’s Choice, Palmer Cablevision and Post-Newsweek Cable.
Cohen holds a BA in economics from Portland’s Lewis & Clark and a master’s in radio and television from San Francisco State University; he currently serves as Chair of the board of directors for the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG) and is also on the board of directors of the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE). He was the recipient of the 2017 Executive of the Year Award from the Caucus for Producers, Writers & Directors. Cohen resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Lisa Black.
January 2023
DAN COHEN
Chief Content Licensing Officer and President, Republic Pictures
Dan Cohen is chief content licensing officer for Paramount where he leads the company’s global content licensing and distribution operations. He is responsible for monetizing a large and growing portfolio of original content that airs or streams on the CBS Television Network, The CW, Paramount+ and SHOWTIME, as well as programming from Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television Studios, CBS Studios, CBS News, CBS Media Ventures, the MTV Entertainment Studios, Nickelodeon, VIS, Miramax and third-party partners. He also runs worldwide home entertainment for the company overseeing the distribution of the industry’s largest library of film and television titles.
Cohen assumed leadership of the division following his role as president, global content licensing, formerly for ViacomCBS. Previously, Cohen served as president of Worldwide Home Entertainment & Television Distribution for Paramount Pictures. He joined Paramount in 2017 as president of Worldwide Television Licensing.
Prior to joining Paramount, Cohen spent 20 years at Disney/ABC, where he served as executive vice president of pay television and digital sales for home entertainment and television distribution for the Walt Disney Studios. In this role, he distributed catalog and properties such as Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, ABC, and Disney Channel to businesses around the globe. Cohen was also responsible for securing two of the most significant pay television deals in history
– Netflix in 2012 and Starz in 1999 – negotiating exclusive, multi-year deals and licensing agreements.
Before Disney/ABC, Cohen served as vice president of program acquisitions and scheduling for Tele-TV Media, vice president of film acquisitions and co-productions for Showtime Networks, and held roles at Viewer’s Choice, Palmer Cablevision and Post-Newsweek Cable.
Cohen holds a BA in economics from Portland’s Lewis & Clark and a master’s in radio and television from San Francisco State University; he currently serves as Chair of the board of directors for the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG) and is also on the board of directors of the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE). He was the recipient of the 2017 Executive of the Year Award from the Caucus for Producers, Writers & Directors. Cohen resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Lisa Black.
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Lisa Kramer
Paramount Global Content Distribution
Lisa Kramer is President of International TV Licensing for Paramount Global Content Distribution, where she leads international licensing and marketing teams for the division. With her oversight spanning 20 offices around the world, she leads the team distributing an extensive portfolio of film and television content outside the U.S. to both internal and external media partners.
Kramer has held positions of increasing responsibility and scope since joining Paramount in 2006 as SVP of Television Distribution for Europe, when she spent her first two years in London staffing Paramount Picture’s first international television office after Viacom and CBS split. After overseeing EMEA from Los Angeles for many years, Lisa returned to London in 2017 to head up International TV Licensing. While at the company Kramer has overseen numerous international volume and output deals with key media players and global streamers all around the world.
Prior to joining Paramount, Kramer held key television distribution roles at DreamWorks SKG and the Walt Disney Company.
Lisa Kramer is President of International TV Licensing for Paramount Global Content Distribution, where she leads international licensing and marketing teams for the division. With her oversight spanning 20 offices around the world, she leads the team distributing an extensive portfolio of film and television content outside the U.S. to both internal and external media partners.
Kramer has held positions of increasing responsibility and scope since joining Paramount in 2006 as SVP of Television Distribution for Europe, when she spent her first two years in London staffing Paramount Picture’s first international television office after Viacom and CBS split. After overseeing EMEA from Los Angeles for many years, Lisa returned to London in 2017 to head up International TV Licensing. While at the company Kramer has overseen numerous international volume and output deals with key media players and global streamers all around the world.
Prior to joining Paramount, Kramer held key television distribution roles at DreamWorks SKG and the Walt Disney Company.
Paramount Global Content Distribution Executives
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BET
Brand Assets
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Scott M. Mills
BET
Scott M. Mills is the President and Chief Executive Officer of BET Media Group, the world’s largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture.
Mills is credited with architecting the transformation of BET from a traditional cable business into the thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international that BET is today. These platforms include:
- BET Linear, the #1 cable network for Black audiences;
- BET +, the #1 premium subscription streaming service for black audiences;
- BET Studios, an innovative studio venture providing equity ownership to Black content creators;
- BET Digital, BET’s interactive arm;
- BET Her, the first network designed exclusively for Black women;
- BET International, which operates BET around the globe;
- BET LIVE, BET’s events and experience branch; and
- VH1, a leader in multi-cultural programming and the second-largest U.S. cable network for Black audiences
Mills is responsible for bringing A-list content creators into the fold, setting new precedents for BET and, by extension, Paramount as the largest commissioner of Black premium content through groundbreaking partnerships with Tyler Perry, Kenya Barris, Lee Daniels, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, and many others.
Philanthropy has always been central to BET’s mission over its 40+ year legacy, and Mills’ demonstrated commitment to social impact has inspired company- and industry-wide change. One such example is Content for Change, a multi-pronged initiative launched by Mills that seeks to harness the power of content to counteract racism, bias, stereotypes, and all forms of hate, that was recently adopted and applied across the entire Paramount organization.
Whether investing in Black communities, discovering and fostering Black creatives, or rallying Black leaders across business, media, and entertainment to raise nearly $20M in COVID-19 relief to support Black communities hardest hit by the virus, under Mills’ leadership BET remains steadfast in its commitment to support the Black community.
Previously, Mills was tapped by Viacom leadership to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer responsible for Human Resources, Media Technology Services, Real Estate, Programming Acquisitions, Facilities, and Security.
Before joining the Viacom executive team in 2012, Mills held a variety of positions at BET, including President and Chief Operating Officer for BET Networks. In this capacity, Mills led BET’s business functions, including sales, finance, legal and business affairs, human resources, digital, research, strategic planning, business development, and administration.
Prior to his appointment to Chief Operating Officer, Mills was Chief Financial Officer and President of Digital Media for BET Networks. As CFO, Mills was responsible for the company’s finance functions, including accounting, reporting, financial planning, tax, treasury, and controls, as well as corporate research, strategic planning, and business development. As President of Digital Media, Mills launched BET Mobile and BET’s digital video distribution operations. Before becoming CFO, Mills was Executive Vice President and COO of BET Interactive, overseeing the launch of BET.com and leading the property to become a leading online destination for the Black community.
After working in investment banking at Lehman Brothers and serving as Deputy Treasurer of the City of Philadelphia, Mills joined BET as Senior Vice President of Business Development in 1997. A native of New York, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mills currently serves as the Lead Director of Principal Financial Group Inc. and numerous not-for-profit boards, such as The Wharton School and Lincoln Center Theater. Throughout his career, Mills has been recognized for his inspiring leadership and humanitarianism through numerous awards and accolades, including the National Action Network’s Cultural Impact Award; The New York Urban League’s Frederick Douglass Award; Riverside Hawks Honoree; Excellence in Leadership Award presented by INROADS, and more.
Scott M. Mills is the President and Chief Executive Officer of BET Media Group, the world’s largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture.
Mills is credited with architecting the transformation of BET from a traditional cable business into the thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international that BET is today. These platforms include:
- BET Linear, the #1 cable network for Black audiences;
- BET +, the #1 premium subscription streaming service for black audiences;
- BET Studios, an innovative studio venture providing equity ownership to Black content creators;
- BET Digital, BET’s interactive arm;
- BET Her, the first network designed exclusively for Black women;
- BET International, which operates BET around the globe;
- BET LIVE, BET’s events and experience branch; and
- VH1, a leader in multi-cultural programming and the second-largest U.S. cable network for Black audiences
Mills is responsible for bringing A-list content creators into the fold, setting new precedents for BET and, by extension, Paramount as the largest commissioner of Black premium content through groundbreaking partnerships with Tyler Perry, Kenya Barris, Lee Daniels, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, and many others.
Philanthropy has always been central to BET’s mission over its 40+ year legacy, and Mills’ demonstrated commitment to social impact has inspired company- and industry-wide change. One such example is Content for Change, a multi-pronged initiative launched by Mills that seeks to harness the power of content to counteract racism, bias, stereotypes, and all forms of hate, that was recently adopted and applied across the entire Paramount organization.
Whether investing in Black communities, discovering and fostering Black creatives, or rallying Black leaders across business, media, and entertainment to raise nearly $20M in COVID-19 relief to support Black communities hardest hit by the virus, under Mills’ leadership BET remains steadfast in its commitment to support the Black community.
Previously, Mills was tapped by Viacom leadership to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer responsible for Human Resources, Media Technology Services, Real Estate, Programming Acquisitions, Facilities, and Security.
Before joining the Viacom executive team in 2012, Mills held a variety of positions at BET, including President and Chief Operating Officer for BET Networks. In this capacity, Mills led BET’s business functions, including sales, finance, legal and business affairs, human resources, digital, research, strategic planning, business development, and administration.
Prior to his appointment to Chief Operating Officer, Mills was Chief Financial Officer and President of Digital Media for BET Networks. As CFO, Mills was responsible for the company’s finance functions, including accounting, reporting, financial planning, tax, treasury, and controls, as well as corporate research, strategic planning, and business development. As President of Digital Media, Mills launched BET Mobile and BET’s digital video distribution operations. Before becoming CFO, Mills was Executive Vice President and COO of BET Interactive, overseeing the launch of BET.com and leading the property to become a leading online destination for the Black community.
After working in investment banking at Lehman Brothers and serving as Deputy Treasurer of the City of Philadelphia, Mills joined BET as Senior Vice President of Business Development in 1997. A native of New York, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mills currently serves as the Lead Director of Principal Financial Group Inc. and numerous not-for-profit boards, such as The Wharton School and Lincoln Center Theater. Throughout his career, Mills has been recognized for his inspiring leadership and humanitarianism through numerous awards and accolades, including the National Action Network’s Cultural Impact Award; The New York Urban League’s Frederick Douglass Award; Riverside Hawks Honoree; Excellence in Leadership Award presented by INROADS, and more.
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Louis Carr
BET
Louis Carr, President of Media Sales, at Black Entertainment Television (BET) Networks, is one of the most influential and prominent African Americans in both media and marketing industries. He has been responsible for more advertising dollars targeted towards the African-American consumer markets, than any other professional or company. In 2016, he celebrated his 30th year anniversary with BET. In the same year, he earned the Diversity Award from the Hyatt Corporation and another Lifetime Achievement Award from the Patricia Martin Legacy celebration honoring his work around diversity from both personal and professional standpoints. Carr has also been listed on NAMIC’s Most Influential African Americans list in the cable industry several times.
Utilizing his B.A. in Journalism from Drake University, Louis Carr has become a compelling author, writing two books titled Dirty Little Secrets and The Little Black Book: Daily Motivations for Business and Personal Growth. His engaging books share anecdotes from his captivating success story. These nuggets of wisdom were written with the intent of paying it forward and telling his individual story. Throughout childhood and along his career path, Carr acknowledges the encouragement and help received by others who deemed him “special” even before he believed it himself. Undoubtedly, Carr openly lays out his own roadmap to greatness with sure fire tips to aid students, business professionals and those in pursuit of self-purpose to get to the next level. He most recently became a TEDx Speaker, emphasizing “The Necessity of Being Uncomfortable”.
He has served on boards of the Ad Council; International Radio and Television Society (IRTS); American Advertising Federation (AAF); and the Video Advertising Board (VAB), formerly the CAB. He currently serves on the board of the Boys Hope Girls Hope and the United States Track and Field Foundation.
He is a dedicated mentor and benevolent philanthropist. Devoted to diversity, Mr. Carr has hired more people of color than any other executive or company within the media industry. Additionally, for more than fourteen years, the Louis Carr Internship Foundation (LCIF) has dedicated its efforts to improve diversity in corporate America. By placing undergraduate students of color in paid summer internships, Louis further demonstrates his commitment to helping others gain exposure and experience.
Louis Carr, President of Media Sales, at Black Entertainment Television (BET) Networks, is one of the most influential and prominent African Americans in both media and marketing industries. He has been responsible for more advertising dollars targeted towards the African-American consumer markets, than any other professional or company. In 2016, he celebrated his 30th year anniversary with BET. In the same year, he earned the Diversity Award from the Hyatt Corporation and another Lifetime Achievement Award from the Patricia Martin Legacy celebration honoring his work around diversity from both personal and professional standpoints. Carr has also been listed on NAMIC’s Most Influential African Americans list in the cable industry several times.
Utilizing his B.A. in Journalism from Drake University, Louis Carr has become a compelling author, writing two books titled Dirty Little Secrets and The Little Black Book: Daily Motivations for Business and Personal Growth. His engaging books share anecdotes from his captivating success story. These nuggets of wisdom were written with the intent of paying it forward and telling his individual story. Throughout childhood and along his career path, Carr acknowledges the encouragement and help received by others who deemed him “special” even before he believed it himself. Undoubtedly, Carr openly lays out his own roadmap to greatness with sure fire tips to aid students, business professionals and those in pursuit of self-purpose to get to the next level. He most recently became a TEDx Speaker, emphasizing “The Necessity of Being Uncomfortable”.
He has served on boards of the Ad Council; International Radio and Television Society (IRTS); American Advertising Federation (AAF); and the Video Advertising Board (VAB), formerly the CAB. He currently serves on the board of the Boys Hope Girls Hope and the United States Track and Field Foundation.
He is a dedicated mentor and benevolent philanthropist. Devoted to diversity, Mr. Carr has hired more people of color than any other executive or company within the media industry. Additionally, for more than fourteen years, the Louis Carr Internship Foundation (LCIF) has dedicated its efforts to improve diversity in corporate America. By placing undergraduate students of color in paid summer internships, Louis further demonstrates his commitment to helping others gain exposure and experience.
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Jeanine D. Liburd
BET
Jeanine D. Liburd is the Chief Social Impact and Communications Officer for BET, a unit of Paramount Global, the leading provider of quality content for the African American audience and consumers of Black culture globally. In her role, Liburd leads and elevates a portfolio of multiplatform social change initiatives that empowers the BET audience to have an impact on the critical issues facing the Black community today. Additionally, she leads the company's corporate communications, internal communications, social responsibility, and events teams. Liburd is based in New York and reports to Scott Mills, President of BET.
Liburd develops initiatives that aim to empower and measurably impact the Black community. In 2020, she built several action-oriented impact campaigns – including BET’s COVID relief effort, in partnership with United Way Worldwide, raising over $19 million in emergency relief. She created the company’s signature civic engagement campaign – Reclaim Your Vote and National Black Voter Day in partnership with the National Urban League and led the company’s response in the aftermath of George Floyd, with the creation of the Content for Change initiative focused on utilizing media to help combat racism and racial inequities in America. Notably, ViacomCBS has adopted this campaign company-wide.
Liburd also spearheads the network’s social impact conference, META (Media, Entertainment and Technology Alliance) designed, to explore how the most influential people and platforms across these sectors can work together to positively impact outcomes for the African American community.
Previously, Liburd served as Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for BET where she oversaw all facets of strategic and creative brand development. She successfully led the launch and roll-out campaigns for BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the black audience, as well as various shows and specials including The BET Awards, The New Edition Story, American Soul, Black Girls Rock and Boomerang. Her leadership and deep consumer insights resulted in award-winning creative campaigns and innovative marketing strategies garnering increased ratings, visibility, and brand recognition for the network.
She joined BET in 2007 as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications after working with a number of Viacom divisions under the Viacom banner. She was Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications for Viacom, where she oversaw all media relations initiatives for the company’s business units. Prior to that, she was Vice President of Communications for MTV Networks. Liburd joined Viacom in 2000 from strategic communications firm, Robinson Lerer Montgomery where she worked with clients such as Oxygen, CNBC, AOL and Showtime.
Affiliated with a number of professional, civic and cultural organizations, Liburd serves on the Atlantic Health System Board of Trustees, the board of Color Comm, the ADWEEK Steering Committee, the Corporate Advisory Council for the Congressional Black Caucus, and has previously served on the Apollo EmpowHER steering committee and the Board of Directors for the Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn. She is a highly sought-after speaker, most recently delivering the keynote address at the 2020 Communications Week conference.
Liburd’s accomplishments have been recognized with several industry awards including the 2021 Girl Scouts of Greater New York’s Gold Achievement Award, the 2020 Multichannel News Wonder Woman Award, the 2019 New York Women in Communications Matrix Award, the 2018 Alliance for Women in Media Gracie Award, the 2018 Black Women in Media Award, the 2016 ColorComm Circle Award as well as a consistent presence on CableFax’s Most Influential Minorities and the Brand Innovators top 100 women lists. Her philanthropic efforts have also been acknowledged, most recently with the 2020 Dance Theater of Harlem Virtuoso Award.
Before her career in communications, Liburd worked on urban and family policy at the local and national levels, holding positions at the Department of General Services under the David Dinkins administration, and with the Department of Health and Human Services and The White House under the Clinton administration. She is a graduate of Vassar College and holds an M.S. in Urban Policy from The New School University for Social Research.
Jeanine D. Liburd is the Chief Social Impact and Communications Officer for BET, a unit of Paramount Global, the leading provider of quality content for the African American audience and consumers of Black culture globally. In her role, Liburd leads and elevates a portfolio of multiplatform social change initiatives that empowers the BET audience to have an impact on the critical issues facing the Black community today. Additionally, she leads the company's corporate communications, internal communications, social responsibility, and events teams. Liburd is based in New York and reports to Scott Mills, President of BET.
Liburd develops initiatives that aim to empower and measurably impact the Black community. In 2020, she built several action-oriented impact campaigns – including BET’s COVID relief effort, in partnership with United Way Worldwide, raising over $19 million in emergency relief. She created the company’s signature civic engagement campaign – Reclaim Your Vote and National Black Voter Day in partnership with the National Urban League and led the company’s response in the aftermath of George Floyd, with the creation of the Content for Change initiative focused on utilizing media to help combat racism and racial inequities in America. Notably, ViacomCBS has adopted this campaign company-wide.
Liburd also spearheads the network’s social impact conference, META (Media, Entertainment and Technology Alliance) designed, to explore how the most influential people and platforms across these sectors can work together to positively impact outcomes for the African American community.
Previously, Liburd served as Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for BET where she oversaw all facets of strategic and creative brand development. She successfully led the launch and roll-out campaigns for BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the black audience, as well as various shows and specials including The BET Awards, The New Edition Story, American Soul, Black Girls Rock and Boomerang. Her leadership and deep consumer insights resulted in award-winning creative campaigns and innovative marketing strategies garnering increased ratings, visibility, and brand recognition for the network.
She joined BET in 2007 as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications after working with a number of Viacom divisions under the Viacom banner. She was Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications for Viacom, where she oversaw all media relations initiatives for the company’s business units. Prior to that, she was Vice President of Communications for MTV Networks. Liburd joined Viacom in 2000 from strategic communications firm, Robinson Lerer Montgomery where she worked with clients such as Oxygen, CNBC, AOL and Showtime.
Affiliated with a number of professional, civic and cultural organizations, Liburd serves on the Atlantic Health System Board of Trustees, the board of Color Comm, the ADWEEK Steering Committee, the Corporate Advisory Council for the Congressional Black Caucus, and has previously served on the Apollo EmpowHER steering committee and the Board of Directors for the Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn. She is a highly sought-after speaker, most recently delivering the keynote address at the 2020 Communications Week conference.
Liburd’s accomplishments have been recognized with several industry awards including the 2021 Girl Scouts of Greater New York’s Gold Achievement Award, the 2020 Multichannel News Wonder Woman Award, the 2019 New York Women in Communications Matrix Award, the 2018 Alliance for Women in Media Gracie Award, the 2018 Black Women in Media Award, the 2016 ColorComm Circle Award as well as a consistent presence on CableFax’s Most Influential Minorities and the Brand Innovators top 100 women lists. Her philanthropic efforts have also been acknowledged, most recently with the 2020 Dance Theater of Harlem Virtuoso Award.
Before her career in communications, Liburd worked on urban and family policy at the local and national levels, holding positions at the Department of General Services under the David Dinkins administration, and with the Department of Health and Human Services and The White House under the Clinton administration. She is a graduate of Vassar College and holds an M.S. in Urban Policy from The New School University for Social Research.
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Constance M. Orlando
BET
Constance M. Orlando is an award-winning media executive recently named Executive Vice President of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc.. A pop culture visionary, Ms. Orlando oversees all genres of original programming, including scripted offerings “The Quad,” “Being Mary Jane,” and specials including, Black Girls Rock! and ratings juggernaut BET Awards. Ms. Orlando also leads the BET News department, overseeing critically acclaimed specials on Ferguson and Baltimore. She also ushered BET into the documentary space with BET Truth Series, which in its inaugural year produced award-winning projects Katrina 10 Years Later, Muhammad Ali: The People’s Champ and Stay Woke.
Ms. Orlando previous roles with BET include Senior Vice President of Specials, Music Programming and News, and VP of Original Programming. Ms. Orlando was part of the network’s largest expansion into original programming in its history. Her ability to lead, inspire and create hits resulted in a list of accomplishments including BET Presents: Love & Happiness, an Obama Celebration, Sunday Best, TD Jakes Presents: Mind, Body, & Soul, The Steve Harvey Project, Monica: Still Standing and scripted series The Game, which scored record-breaking ratings.
Ms. Orlando is Executive Producer of all tentpole events, including the BET Awards, the #1 program in cable television history among AA viewers and a top 10 awards show on television amongst total viewers.
Prior to joining BET Networks, the Syracuse University graduate ran her own full service production company, CMO Productions, Inc. While running CMO, Orlando served as Executive Producer of award-winning director Hype Williams’ Big Dog Films. Among CMO’s crowning triumphs was a partnership with music icon and businessman Jay-Z to produce the first of its kind, direct-to-video movie soundtrack The Streets Is Watching.
Outside of work, Orlando is passionate about advocating for and providing support to women and children in need, so in 1998 she launched a non-profit foundation, ‘Just The Girls’. She also serves on the Advisory Board for Clark Atlanta University’s TV department as the Programming Committee Chair. Orlando accolades include NAMIC’s “Top 40 Under 40”. Her work has earned her nine NAACP Image Awards (“The Mo’Nique Show” 2010, “Sunday Best” 2011, “Black Girls Rock!” 2012/2013/2014/2016, “The Game” 2012, "Ali: The People’s Champ" 2015, and Love & Happiness: an Obama celebration 2016), and five NAMIC Vision Awards (“Black Girls Rock!”).
Constance M. Orlando is an award-winning media executive recently named Executive Vice President of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc.. A pop culture visionary, Ms. Orlando oversees all genres of original programming, including scripted offerings “The Quad,” “Being Mary Jane,” and specials including, Black Girls Rock! and ratings juggernaut BET Awards. Ms. Orlando also leads the BET News department, overseeing critically acclaimed specials on Ferguson and Baltimore. She also ushered BET into the documentary space with BET Truth Series, which in its inaugural year produced award-winning projects Katrina 10 Years Later, Muhammad Ali: The People’s Champ and Stay Woke.
Ms. Orlando previous roles with BET include Senior Vice President of Specials, Music Programming and News, and VP of Original Programming. Ms. Orlando was part of the network’s largest expansion into original programming in its history. Her ability to lead, inspire and create hits resulted in a list of accomplishments including BET Presents: Love & Happiness, an Obama Celebration, Sunday Best, TD Jakes Presents: Mind, Body, & Soul, The Steve Harvey Project, Monica: Still Standing and scripted series The Game, which scored record-breaking ratings.
Ms. Orlando is Executive Producer of all tentpole events, including the BET Awards, the #1 program in cable television history among AA viewers and a top 10 awards show on television amongst total viewers.
Prior to joining BET Networks, the Syracuse University graduate ran her own full service production company, CMO Productions, Inc. While running CMO, Orlando served as Executive Producer of award-winning director Hype Williams’ Big Dog Films. Among CMO’s crowning triumphs was a partnership with music icon and businessman Jay-Z to produce the first of its kind, direct-to-video movie soundtrack The Streets Is Watching.
Outside of work, Orlando is passionate about advocating for and providing support to women and children in need, so in 1998 she launched a non-profit foundation, ‘Just The Girls’. She also serves on the Advisory Board for Clark Atlanta University’s TV department as the Programming Committee Chair. Orlando accolades include NAMIC’s “Top 40 Under 40”. Her work has earned her nine NAACP Image Awards (“The Mo’Nique Show” 2010, “Sunday Best” 2011, “Black Girls Rock!” 2012/2013/2014/2016, “The Game” 2012, "Ali: The People’s Champ" 2015, and Love & Happiness: an Obama celebration 2016), and five NAMIC Vision Awards (“Black Girls Rock!”).
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Devin Griffin
BET
Devin Griffin is the Executive Vice President and General Manager, BET+. The subscription video-on-demand service focused on the African American audience, BET+, will feature more than 2,000 hours of premium content including exclusive new original programming and fan-favorite series, movies, and specials from BET Networks, world-renowned creator Tyler Perry, and a host of leading African American content creators. Griffin reports to Scott Mills, President of BET Networks. Griffin is based in Los Angeles. In his role, Griffin manages the BET+ P&L and oversee business strategy & operations, including original programming, content acquisitions, marketing, distribution, planning and analysis.
Prior to BET+, Devin was a Producer and Executive Vice President of Story Lab US, where he co-founded and led the company’s foray into premium long-form content development. In less than a year, he developed original series with Anonymous Content, ITV, Stephen David Entertainment, and the NBA Players Association.
Previously, Devin served in various senior content roles at Netflix. He formed and led the company’s unscripted group, commissioning and/or executive producing over 40 series, including: the Emmy Award-winning Queer Eye, The Confession Tapes, Michael Jordan: The Last Dance, the Peabody-winning Hip-Hop Evolution, Shot in the Dark, and The Toys That Made Us. During his tenure at Netflix, Devin also worked extensively on scripted drama, comedy, sci-fi, and anime. Devin brought a distinctive curatorial lens to the service, programming global hits such as the Emmy Award-winning Black Mirror, Designated Survivor, Chewing Gum, Z Nation, Wentworth, Van Helsing, Danger 5, Seven Deadly Sins and original stand-up specials fromTom Segura, Chelsea Peretti, and Wyatt Cenac, among others.
Earlier in his career Devin served as Head of Business Development at Broadway Video, the production company of legendary producer Lorne Michaels. There, Devin conceptualized, co-founded, and oversaw Above Average, a premium comedy network and studio. He has also held key roles at the National Basketball Association and at Silver Chalice Ventures.
Devin holds a BA from Stanford and an MBA from Wharton. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Sarah, and two young children.
Devin Griffin is the Executive Vice President and General Manager, BET+. The subscription video-on-demand service focused on the African American audience, BET+, will feature more than 2,000 hours of premium content including exclusive new original programming and fan-favorite series, movies, and specials from BET Networks, world-renowned creator Tyler Perry, and a host of leading African American content creators. Griffin reports to Scott Mills, President of BET Networks. Griffin is based in Los Angeles. In his role, Griffin manages the BET+ P&L and oversee business strategy & operations, including original programming, content acquisitions, marketing, distribution, planning and analysis.
Prior to BET+, Devin was a Producer and Executive Vice President of Story Lab US, where he co-founded and led the company’s foray into premium long-form content development. In less than a year, he developed original series with Anonymous Content, ITV, Stephen David Entertainment, and the NBA Players Association.
Previously, Devin served in various senior content roles at Netflix. He formed and led the company’s unscripted group, commissioning and/or executive producing over 40 series, including: the Emmy Award-winning Queer Eye, The Confession Tapes, Michael Jordan: The Last Dance, the Peabody-winning Hip-Hop Evolution, Shot in the Dark, and The Toys That Made Us. During his tenure at Netflix, Devin also worked extensively on scripted drama, comedy, sci-fi, and anime. Devin brought a distinctive curatorial lens to the service, programming global hits such as the Emmy Award-winning Black Mirror, Designated Survivor, Chewing Gum, Z Nation, Wentworth, Van Helsing, Danger 5, Seven Deadly Sins and original stand-up specials fromTom Segura, Chelsea Peretti, and Wyatt Cenac, among others.
Earlier in his career Devin served as Head of Business Development at Broadway Video, the production company of legendary producer Lorne Michaels. There, Devin conceptualized, co-founded, and oversaw Above Average, a premium comedy network and studio. He has also held key roles at the National Basketball Association and at Silver Chalice Ventures.
Devin holds a BA from Stanford and an MBA from Wharton. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Sarah, and two young children.
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Kimberly Paige
BET
Kimberly Paige is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of general management, strategy, innovation, and brand marketing experience with a proven track record of building billion-dollar Fortune 500 brands.
Paige is Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for BET Networks. Paige is responsible for managing and implementing brand strategy across all platforms, including the BET and BET Her linear networks, BET+, BET Digital, BET Social and BET Experience. Paige also leads BET’s awarding-winning Brand Creative Team, best-in-class Consumer Insights & Analytics Team and all Media Planning. In addition, she stewards BET’s Live Events business. Paige reports to Scott Mills, President of BET Networks.
Most recently, Paige was the Chief Operating and Brand-Building Officer at Sundial Brands, a leading skincare and haircare manufacturer renowned for its innovative use of high-quality, culturally authentic natural ingredients, and maker of SheaMoisture, Nubian Heritage, Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture, and nyakio™. Paige managed the overall strategic direction of the company and led the business planning for continued growth, including the existing product portfolio, new and innovative products and line extensions, and built the business in existing and new channels. She was responsible for operations, which included end-to-end supply chain, marketing and sales, and continually assessed the organization and infrastructure for company growth.
She joined Sundial from her previous role as Chief Marketing Officer of Coty, Inc. where she stewarded the repositioning of several flagship brands.
Prior to Coty, Paige spent 17 years at The Coca Cola Company where she led several businesses to unparalleled revenue growth while driving brand loyalty for brands including Sprite, Fanta, SmartWater and more. In addition to multiple brand leadership roles, she was Vice President & CMO of Coca-Cola’s Ventures & Emerging Brands, where she led innovation and marketing support for emerging and recently acquired brands. Prior to that, Paige co-founded and was President of Kickoff Marketing, a strategic planning and brand consulting firm where she drove profitable growth and assessed new business venture opportunities for a variety of consumer brands and non-profit organizations. Paige began her career at Procter and Gamble, where she worked in brand management and drove results for the largest division of the company (formerly Package Soap and Detergent).
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel is in nearly 85 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET Networks around the globe.
Contact:
Luis Defrank
Luis.defrank@bet.net
212-205-3156
Kimberly Paige is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of general management, strategy, innovation, and brand marketing experience with a proven track record of building billion-dollar Fortune 500 brands.
Paige is Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for BET Networks. Paige is responsible for managing and implementing brand strategy across all platforms, including the BET and BET Her linear networks, BET+, BET Digital, BET Social and BET Experience. Paige also leads BET’s awarding-winning Brand Creative Team, best-in-class Consumer Insights & Analytics Team and all Media Planning. In addition, she stewards BET’s Live Events business. Paige reports to Scott Mills, President of BET Networks.
Most recently, Paige was the Chief Operating and Brand-Building Officer at Sundial Brands, a leading skincare and haircare manufacturer renowned for its innovative use of high-quality, culturally authentic natural ingredients, and maker of SheaMoisture, Nubian Heritage, Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture, and nyakio™. Paige managed the overall strategic direction of the company and led the business planning for continued growth, including the existing product portfolio, new and innovative products and line extensions, and built the business in existing and new channels. She was responsible for operations, which included end-to-end supply chain, marketing and sales, and continually assessed the organization and infrastructure for company growth.
She joined Sundial from her previous role as Chief Marketing Officer of Coty, Inc. where she stewarded the repositioning of several flagship brands.
Prior to Coty, Paige spent 17 years at The Coca Cola Company where she led several businesses to unparalleled revenue growth while driving brand loyalty for brands including Sprite, Fanta, SmartWater and more. In addition to multiple brand leadership roles, she was Vice President & CMO of Coca-Cola’s Ventures & Emerging Brands, where she led innovation and marketing support for emerging and recently acquired brands. Prior to that, Paige co-founded and was President of Kickoff Marketing, a strategic planning and brand consulting firm where she drove profitable growth and assessed new business venture opportunities for a variety of consumer brands and non-profit organizations. Paige began her career at Procter and Gamble, where she worked in brand management and drove results for the largest division of the company (formerly Package Soap and Detergent).
About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel is in nearly 85 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET Networks around the globe.
Contact:
Luis Defrank
Luis.defrank@bet.net
212-205-3156
BET Executives
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BET+
Brand Assets
BET+ Executives
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Nickelodeon
Brand Assets
Nickelodeon Executives
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MTV
Brand Assets
MTV Executives
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Paramount Network
Brand Assets
Paramount Network Executives
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Pluto TV
Brand Assets
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Tom Ryan
Pluto TV
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Jeff Shultz
Pluto TV
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Vibol Hou
Pluto TV
Pluto TV Executives
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See it Now
Brand Assets
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Susan Zirinsky
See it Now
Susan Zirinsky started See it Now Studios in 2021 to produce premium docuseries and documentaries built on extraordinary access to individuals, subcultures, and stories that viewers thought they knew but didn't. A former president of CBS News, Zirinsky maintains the highest standards of journalism in her productions. Before being named president of See It Now Studios, Zirinsky spent two years as president and senior executive producer of CBS News, becoming the first woman to hold that job in the history of the Network. She began her career in the CBS News Washington bureau two weeks after the Watergate break-in, and during her career has earned virtually every major broadcast journalism award and accolade.
She was the executive producer and the driving force behind 48 HOURS’ transformation into the premiere true crime series. She was also the senior executive producer of 48 HOURS: NCIS and the senior executive producer of the CBS primetime series WHISTLEBLOWER.
During her four decades with CBS News, she produced a wide variety of award-winning documentaries and programs from the Gulf War to the student uprising in Tiananmen Square, from the White House for 10 years to the 9/11 attacks, and from the Paris terrorist attacks to the mass shooting at a Parkland, Fla. School. Closest to her heart is “9/11,” produced with Jules and Gédéon Naudet and firefighter James Hanlon considered the most comprehensive account of the tragedy and the only documentary featured in the 9/11 Museum. “The Spymasters: CIA In the Crosshairs“ for Showtime featured interviews with every living CIA director.
Zirinsky has won numerous Emmys, a Peabody, an Alfred I du Pont-Columbia University Award, and multiple honors in the industry. She has been a seminal figure, role model, and mentor in American broadcast news.
Susan Zirinsky started See it Now Studios in 2021 to produce premium docuseries and documentaries built on extraordinary access to individuals, subcultures, and stories that viewers thought they knew but didn't. A former president of CBS News, Zirinsky maintains the highest standards of journalism in her productions. Before being named president of See It Now Studios, Zirinsky spent two years as president and senior executive producer of CBS News, becoming the first woman to hold that job in the history of the Network. She began her career in the CBS News Washington bureau two weeks after the Watergate break-in, and during her career has earned virtually every major broadcast journalism award and accolade.
She was the executive producer and the driving force behind 48 HOURS’ transformation into the premiere true crime series. She was also the senior executive producer of 48 HOURS: NCIS and the senior executive producer of the CBS primetime series WHISTLEBLOWER.
During her four decades with CBS News, she produced a wide variety of award-winning documentaries and programs from the Gulf War to the student uprising in Tiananmen Square, from the White House for 10 years to the 9/11 attacks, and from the Paris terrorist attacks to the mass shooting at a Parkland, Fla. School. Closest to her heart is “9/11,” produced with Jules and Gédéon Naudet and firefighter James Hanlon considered the most comprehensive account of the tragedy and the only documentary featured in the 9/11 Museum. “The Spymasters: CIA In the Crosshairs“ for Showtime featured interviews with every living CIA director.
Zirinsky has won numerous Emmys, a Peabody, an Alfred I du Pont-Columbia University Award, and multiple honors in the industry. She has been a seminal figure, role model, and mentor in American broadcast news.
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Terence Wrong
See it Now
Terence Wrong has executive produced and directed over 300 hours of network prime time documentaries. His early career took him overseas, covering war and mayhem for Newsweek, NBC News and ABC News. Returning to New York after more than a decade abroad, Terry created Hopkins 24/7, the first of what would become a dozen cinema verité docuseries airing on ABC between 2000-2015. The unmistakable signature of Terry’s genre-defining programs has been its unprecedented access to usually off-limits institutions like the NYPD, a big city mayor’s office, and America’s most distinguished hospitals. In Hooking Up, he deployed the same pioneering technique to give viewers an unfiltered look at the misadventures of New York City women at the dawn of online dating. In 2017, Terry left ABC to start Third Force Productions with Aysu Saliba where they produced an innovative slate of docuseries for both traditional and streaming platforms. Besides a Peabody, Terry’s work has been recognized with multiple Emmy, Columbia Du Pont, and Christopher awards.
Terence Wrong has executive produced and directed over 300 hours of network prime time documentaries. His early career took him overseas, covering war and mayhem for Newsweek, NBC News and ABC News. Returning to New York after more than a decade abroad, Terry created Hopkins 24/7, the first of what would become a dozen cinema verité docuseries airing on ABC between 2000-2015. The unmistakable signature of Terry’s genre-defining programs has been its unprecedented access to usually off-limits institutions like the NYPD, a big city mayor’s office, and America’s most distinguished hospitals. In Hooking Up, he deployed the same pioneering technique to give viewers an unfiltered look at the misadventures of New York City women at the dawn of online dating. In 2017, Terry left ABC to start Third Force Productions with Aysu Saliba where they produced an innovative slate of docuseries for both traditional and streaming platforms. Besides a Peabody, Terry’s work has been recognized with multiple Emmy, Columbia Du Pont, and Christopher awards.
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Aysu Saliba
See it Now
Aysu Saliba is a supervising producer with over a decade of experience developing, producing, and managing groundbreaking documentary specials and unscripted series across a spectrum of challenging subject matters and complex personalities. Aysu has worked at every level of production--behind the camera, at the edit console, and showrunning multi-part projects--like Discovery's Cal Fire--that require a decisive, steady hand on the tiller. She has found herself everywhere from riding a Newark ambulance into the most gruesome of crime scenes, to grilling the former head of national security about election hacking, to getting a Tinder strategist to spill the secrets of the optimal profile pic (asking for a friend).
Aysu Saliba is a supervising producer with over a decade of experience developing, producing, and managing groundbreaking documentary specials and unscripted series across a spectrum of challenging subject matters and complex personalities. Aysu has worked at every level of production--behind the camera, at the edit console, and showrunning multi-part projects--like Discovery's Cal Fire--that require a decisive, steady hand on the tiller. She has found herself everywhere from riding a Newark ambulance into the most gruesome of crime scenes, to grilling the former head of national security about election hacking, to getting a Tinder strategist to spill the secrets of the optimal profile pic (asking for a friend).
See it Now Executives
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CMT
Brand Assets
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Margaret Comeaux
CMT
Margaret Comeaux serves as executive producer in charge of such top-rated shows as the annual "CMT Music Awards," CMT Crossroads," "CMT Artists of the Year" and the recent "CMT Ultimate Kickoff Party LIVE From the College Football Playoff National Championship." Comeaux has worked on over 70 episodes of the critically-acclaimed series "CMT CROSSROADS," working with some of the biggest names in music across genres. A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Comeaux joined CMT in 2000. She has 20 years’ experience in TV, and is a member of the Country Music Association (CMA), Academy of Country Music, NARAS and SOURCE.Margaret Comeaux serves as executive producer in charge of such top-rated shows as the annual "CMT Music Awards," CMT Crossroads," "CMT Artists of the Year" and the recent "CMT Ultimate Kickoff Party LIVE From the College Football Playoff National Championship." Comeaux has worked on over 70 episodes of the critically-acclaimed series "CMT CROSSROADS," working with some of the biggest names in music across genres. A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Comeaux joined CMT in 2000. She has 20 years’ experience in TV, and is a member of the Country Music Association (CMA), Academy of Country Music, NARAS and SOURCE. -
Tessa Jordan
CMT
As Vice President of Program Planning, Tessa Jordan leads CMT’s programming teams and is responsible for the channel’s scheduling and analysis process to ensure continued growth of CMT’s programming slate. Her role includes oversight of acquisition strategies, as well as distribution across digital extensions.
Within six months of joining CMT in 2016, Jordan developed and executed a highly successful programming strategy resulting in three years of ratings growth.
With Viacom since 2006, Jordan previously served as Director of Nickelodeon Brand and Content Management for Viacom International in New York, where she oversaw the acquisitions and content strategy and served as a liaison for more than 50 Nickelodeon channels in over 160 countries.
Honored for her work both in the industry and community, Jordan’s accolades include the 2014 Viacommunity Award Recipient for her work with Achilles International, an organization that inspires people with disabilities in athletics. She is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Cable Executive Management program, Women In Cable Television’s Rising Leaders Program, was named WE TV/Ladies Home Journal Volunteer of the Year in 2011, and was recently selected to participate in.
Jordan earned her bachelor’s degree at Otterbein College in Ohio.
As Vice President of Program Planning, Tessa Jordan leads CMT’s programming teams and is responsible for the channel’s scheduling and analysis process to ensure continued growth of CMT’s programming slate. Her role includes oversight of acquisition strategies, as well as distribution across digital extensions.
Within six months of joining CMT in 2016, Jordan developed and executed a highly successful programming strategy resulting in three years of ratings growth.
With Viacom since 2006, Jordan previously served as Director of Nickelodeon Brand and Content Management for Viacom International in New York, where she oversaw the acquisitions and content strategy and served as a liaison for more than 50 Nickelodeon channels in over 160 countries.
Honored for her work both in the industry and community, Jordan’s accolades include the 2014 Viacommunity Award Recipient for her work with Achilles International, an organization that inspires people with disabilities in athletics. She is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Cable Executive Management program, Women In Cable Television’s Rising Leaders Program, was named WE TV/Ladies Home Journal Volunteer of the Year in 2011, and was recently selected to participate in.
Jordan earned her bachelor’s degree at Otterbein College in Ohio.
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Suzanne Norman
CMT
An eight-time honoree in CableFAX magazine’s Most Powerful Women in Cable list, Suzanne Norman is SVP Operations-Head of CMT Nashville. As the network’s most senior female executive, Norman oversees day-to-day operations and business objectives for CMT. Based in Nashville, Norman oversees CMT’s executive team and acts as the key liaison to Viacom leadership.
Her wide range of responsibilities includes operational oversight of the channel’s goals. She also spearheads digital, prosocial and network events, and she contributes to successful tentpoles like the “CMT Music Awards” and “Artists of the Year.”
Norman joined CMT in 2001, and has served in many roles. Previously, she held finance roles at CBS Cable, Gaylord Entertainment and KPMG.
Norman is an alumna of the CTAM Executive Management Program at Harvard Business School for high potential cable executives and Leadership Music. In 2013, Nashville Business Journal named her a “Woman of Influence” for making a positive impact on the community. She sits on the board of CMT Canada. Additionally, Norman is a member of the Country Music Association (CMA), the Tennessee Society of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs, Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT), Leadership Music and SOURCE. She is a CPA, and a graduate of the College of William & Mary.
(Updated January 2019)
An eight-time honoree in CableFAX magazine’s Most Powerful Women in Cable list, Suzanne Norman is SVP Operations-Head of CMT Nashville. As the network’s most senior female executive, Norman oversees day-to-day operations and business objectives for CMT. Based in Nashville, Norman oversees CMT’s executive team and acts as the key liaison to Viacom leadership.
Her wide range of responsibilities includes operational oversight of the channel’s goals. She also spearheads digital, prosocial and network events, and she contributes to successful tentpoles like the “CMT Music Awards” and “Artists of the Year.”
Norman joined CMT in 2001, and has served in many roles. Previously, she held finance roles at CBS Cable, Gaylord Entertainment and KPMG.
Norman is an alumna of the CTAM Executive Management Program at Harvard Business School for high potential cable executives and Leadership Music. In 2013, Nashville Business Journal named her a “Woman of Influence” for making a positive impact on the community. She sits on the board of CMT Canada. Additionally, Norman is a member of the Country Music Association (CMA), the Tennessee Society of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs, Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT), Leadership Music and SOURCE. She is a CPA, and a graduate of the College of William & Mary.
(Updated January 2019)
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Anthony Barton
CMT
As Senior Vice President of Consumer Marketing and Creative for CMT, Anthony Barton oversees all aspects of the network’s marketing and creative with a focus on brand and franchise management, as well as strategic alignment across all CMT platforms.
In his 19 years with Viacom Media Networks, Barton has worked in several divisions including Nickelodeon and TV Land. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Integrated Marketing for CMT, a team he joined in 2004 as Vice President. Barton lead a NY-based team responsible for creating innovative custom content designed to both engage the CMT audience and generate revenue for the network. Barton has worked with such high profile clients as Verizon, Pepsi and Nationwide Insurance on campaigns for the network’s biggest event of the year, the “CMT Music Awards,” as well as Paramount Studios, Warner Brothers and Fox Filmed Entertainment.
After splitting his time between New York City and Nashville, Barton relocated to Nashville in 2007. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Barton is a member of the Country Music Association, serves on the Board of the Brooks Fund and is a Leadership Music Class of 2013 alum.
(Updated March 2016)As Senior Vice President of Consumer Marketing and Creative for CMT, Anthony Barton oversees all aspects of the network’s marketing and creative with a focus on brand and franchise management, as well as strategic alignment across all CMT platforms.
In his 19 years with Viacom Media Networks, Barton has worked in several divisions including Nickelodeon and TV Land. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Integrated Marketing for CMT, a team he joined in 2004 as Vice President. Barton lead a NY-based team responsible for creating innovative custom content designed to both engage the CMT audience and generate revenue for the network. Barton has worked with such high profile clients as Verizon, Pepsi and Nationwide Insurance on campaigns for the network’s biggest event of the year, the “CMT Music Awards,” as well as Paramount Studios, Warner Brothers and Fox Filmed Entertainment.
After splitting his time between New York City and Nashville, Barton relocated to Nashville in 2007. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Barton is a member of the Country Music Association, serves on the Board of the Brooks Fund and is a Leadership Music Class of 2013 alum.
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Adam Steingart
CMT
A nine-year veteran of Viacom Media Networks, Steingart most recently served as Vice President of Integrated Marketing working with Comedy Central, Spike and TV Land. In this role, he led campaigns for a number of national consumer brands including GE, PepsiCo, Activision and countless others. He was responsible for the highly-successful Tosh.0 “Nana Nana Subaru Challenge” which trended nationally, generating 40 million impressions across social media as fans vied to win Tosh’s own personal Subaru. Steingart began his Viacom career with CMT in 2005, working on such shows as the “CMT Music Awards,” “CMT Artists of the Year” and “CMT Crossroads.” He has over 15 years’ experience in advertising and television, including work on the Brand Management and Promotion team at PBS. A native of New Jersey, Steingart has a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University.A nine-year veteran of Viacom Media Networks, Steingart most recently served as Vice President of Integrated Marketing working with Comedy Central, Spike and TV Land. In this role, he led campaigns for a number of national consumer brands including GE, PepsiCo, Activision and countless others. He was responsible for the highly-successful Tosh.0 “Nana Nana Subaru Challenge” which trended nationally, generating 40 million impressions across social media as fans vied to win Tosh’s own personal Subaru. Steingart began his Viacom career with CMT in 2005, working on such shows as the “CMT Music Awards,” “CMT Artists of the Year” and “CMT Crossroads.” He has over 15 years’ experience in advertising and television, including work on the Brand Management and Promotion team at PBS. A native of New Jersey, Steingart has a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University. -
Leslie Fram
CMT
Leslie Fram serves as Senior Vice President of Music Strategy for CMT, overseeing all music integration within the CMT brand, including original programs, CMT.com and music video airplay across all screens.
Since joining CMT in 2011, Fram has negotiated key partnerships with major and indie label acts for world premieres and exclusive digital content. She has championed new avenues to showcase emerging artists, including the new digital performance-based series “Concrete Country,” and most recently, the “Next Women of Country” campaign designed to showcase the female power voices of country.
Before joining CMT, Fram’s career included wild rides in Top 40 radio in Mobile, Ala., alternative rock at WNNX (99X)-Atlanta, and most recently, at New York rocker 1019RXP as Program Director and Morning Show co-host with Matt Pinfield. While at WRXP, she was responsible for booking all talent for RXP shows and major events, and conducting exclusive interviews with the world’s biggest bands and emerging artists. Previously, Fram spent a decade at 99X both on-air and as Assistant Program Director and Program Director, racking up numerous awards and honors, and building her massive interpersonal network.
Respected for both her hit intuition and hard-driving passion for music, Fram was the first woman to receive the TJ Martell Award in recognition of outstanding performance in the music industry in 2000, and was presented with the NARAS-Atlanta Chapter Heroes Award for her outstanding contributions to music and the music community. In 2009, she was honored as a Lifetime Achievement Inductee in the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame. She currently serves on the board of the Academy of Country Music, and has previously served as Associate Member of NARAS, and on its Board of Governors in both Atlanta and New York. Fram is an avid philanthropist and spokesperson, using her voice to support numerous non-profits and causes.
Leslie Fram serves as Senior Vice President of Music Strategy for CMT, overseeing all music integration within the CMT brand, including original programs, CMT.com and music video airplay across all screens.
Since joining CMT in 2011, Fram has negotiated key partnerships with major and indie label acts for world premieres and exclusive digital content. She has championed new avenues to showcase emerging artists, including the new digital performance-based series “Concrete Country,” and most recently, the “Next Women of Country” campaign designed to showcase the female power voices of country.
Before joining CMT, Fram’s career included wild rides in Top 40 radio in Mobile, Ala., alternative rock at WNNX (99X)-Atlanta, and most recently, at New York rocker 1019RXP as Program Director and Morning Show co-host with Matt Pinfield. While at WRXP, she was responsible for booking all talent for RXP shows and major events, and conducting exclusive interviews with the world’s biggest bands and emerging artists. Previously, Fram spent a decade at 99X both on-air and as Assistant Program Director and Program Director, racking up numerous awards and honors, and building her massive interpersonal network.
Respected for both her hit intuition and hard-driving passion for music, Fram was the first woman to receive the TJ Martell Award in recognition of outstanding performance in the music industry in 2000, and was presented with the NARAS-Atlanta Chapter Heroes Award for her outstanding contributions to music and the music community. In 2009, she was honored as a Lifetime Achievement Inductee in the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame. She currently serves on the board of the Academy of Country Music, and has previously served as Associate Member of NARAS, and on its Board of Governors in both Atlanta and New York. Fram is an avid philanthropist and spokesperson, using her voice to support numerous non-profits and causes.
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Cindy Finke
CMT
As Vice President of Corporate Communications for CMT, Cindy Finke develops and guides communication strategies for the brand's original series, documentaries, music specials and events, as well as the department's day-to-day operations.
(Updated January 2016)
Finke joined the CMT Corporate Communications team in 2002, and has directed communication campaigns for a wide array of programming including the critically-acclaimed series "CMT Crossroads," the annual top-rated "CMT Music Awards" and "CMT Artists of the Year." She recently led the launch of the network's News and Docs Division with the original documentaries, “Urban Cowboy: Rise and Fall of the Gilley’s”and “Johnny Cash: American Rebel,” which were both the highest rated films to air on the network since 2010. Finke was responsible for launching the reality series “I Love Kellie Pickler,” which was CMT’s highest rated series premiere since 2012 and was the highest premiere with women since 2008.Finke oversees staff in Nashville and is responsible for the promotion of music programming, tent poles and specials, as well as original reality-based programming.
Before moving to Nashville, Finke was a publicist for E! Entertainment Television and the Style Network in Los Angeles where she was responsible for publicity campaigns of the franchise series "The E! True Hollywood Story," along with "Celebrity Homes," "Nigella Bites" and "The Look for Less." Prior to E!, Finke worked in the publicity department at Showtime Networks Inc. and she was a news reporter/anchor at the NBC affiliate WHAG-TV.
Finke is a member of CMA, ATAS and WICT (Women in Cable Telecommunications) where she is a 2015 graduate of the prestigious Betsy Magness Graduate Institute. She is the former President of the Nashville Alumnae of Pi Beta Phi, which has raised millions of dollars for Nashville and regional philanthropies. Finke is a graduate of the University of California, San Diego.As Vice President of Corporate Communications for CMT, Cindy Finke develops and guides communication strategies for the brand's original series, documentaries, music specials and events, as well as the department's day-to-day operations.
(Updated January 2016)
Finke joined the CMT Corporate Communications team in 2002, and has directed communication campaigns for a wide array of programming including the critically-acclaimed series "CMT Crossroads," the annual top-rated "CMT Music Awards" and "CMT Artists of the Year." She recently led the launch of the network's News and Docs Division with the original documentaries, “Urban Cowboy: Rise and Fall of the Gilley’s”and “Johnny Cash: American Rebel,” which were both the highest rated films to air on the network since 2010. Finke was responsible for launching the reality series “I Love Kellie Pickler,” which was CMT’s highest rated series premiere since 2012 and was the highest premiere with women since 2008.Finke oversees staff in Nashville and is responsible for the promotion of music programming, tent poles and specials, as well as original reality-based programming.
Before moving to Nashville, Finke was a publicist for E! Entertainment Television and the Style Network in Los Angeles where she was responsible for publicity campaigns of the franchise series "The E! True Hollywood Story," along with "Celebrity Homes," "Nigella Bites" and "The Look for Less." Prior to E!, Finke worked in the publicity department at Showtime Networks Inc. and she was a news reporter/anchor at the NBC affiliate WHAG-TV.
Finke is a member of CMA, ATAS and WICT (Women in Cable Telecommunications) where she is a 2015 graduate of the prestigious Betsy Magness Graduate Institute. She is the former President of the Nashville Alumnae of Pi Beta Phi, which has raised millions of dollars for Nashville and regional philanthropies. Finke is a graduate of the University of California, San Diego. -
Peter Mannes
CMT
Peter Mannes, VP, Creative Services, CMT, is charged with directing the efforts of the creative team in the creation, planning, development and production of all on and off air production and graphics for CMT.
With over 20 years in the media industry Peter Mannes comes to CMT from Sundance Channel, where he was Director of Brand Marketing. As a creative leader he was responsible for managing the voice of the network across all platforms, including strategic and creative direction of its promotional campaigns. Prior to Sundance, Mannes was founder of Argot Media, a full-service creative production agency where he produced creative rebrands of multiple TV networks, including History Channel, Biography, Bloomberg Television, and Sí TV.
Mannes also held the position of Vice President of Production for Global Media Holdings/Global Japan where he supervised production of all on-air promos, series, specials, print and marketing projects for the launch and operation of two television networks developed for the Japanese market, SheTV and SF. Earlier in his career, Mannes served as a production manager for MTV Networks, which included working on the re-launch of MTV Asia.
Mannes graduated from Northwestern University in 1991 and will be relocating to Nashville.Peter Mannes, VP, Creative Services, CMT, is charged with directing the efforts of the creative team in the creation, planning, development and production of all on and off air production and graphics for CMT.
With over 20 years in the media industry Peter Mannes comes to CMT from Sundance Channel, where he was Director of Brand Marketing. As a creative leader he was responsible for managing the voice of the network across all platforms, including strategic and creative direction of its promotional campaigns. Prior to Sundance, Mannes was founder of Argot Media, a full-service creative production agency where he produced creative rebrands of multiple TV networks, including History Channel, Biography, Bloomberg Television, and Sí TV.
Mannes also held the position of Vice President of Production for Global Media Holdings/Global Japan where he supervised production of all on-air promos, series, specials, print and marketing projects for the launch and operation of two television networks developed for the Japanese market, SheTV and SF. Earlier in his career, Mannes served as a production manager for MTV Networks, which included working on the re-launch of MTV Asia.
Mannes graduated from Northwestern University in 1991 and will be relocating to Nashville. -
Anne Oakley
CMT
As Vice President of Radio and Ancillary Business, Anne Oakley is charged with day-to-day oversight of CMT Radio and additional revenue-generating projects for the network. Oakley has been instrumental in the growth of CMT Radio Networks, which includes three syndicated shows hosted by Cody Alan, reaching over 250 stations and nearly three million listeners. She spearheaded the network’s partnership with iHeart Radio, expanding CMT’s footprint and making CMT host and radio personality Cody Alan as the voice of the long-running syndicated show, After MidNite. Since joining the network in 2005, Oakley has worked on a number of retail initiatives and enterprise projects including feature films, TV movies, DVD production, book publishing and CMT On Tour to name a few. Oakley is a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, and a member of the Country Music Association (CMA).As Vice President of Radio and Ancillary Business, Anne Oakley is charged with day-to-day oversight of CMT Radio and additional revenue-generating projects for the network. Oakley has been instrumental in the growth of CMT Radio Networks, which includes three syndicated shows hosted by Cody Alan, reaching over 250 stations and nearly three million listeners. She spearheaded the network’s partnership with iHeart Radio, expanding CMT’s footprint and making CMT host and radio personality Cody Alan as the voice of the long-running syndicated show, After MidNite. Since joining the network in 2005, Oakley has worked on a number of retail initiatives and enterprise projects including feature films, TV movies, DVD production, book publishing and CMT On Tour to name a few. Oakley is a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, and a member of the Country Music Association (CMA). -
Lucia Folk
CMT
As Vice President of Public Affairs at CMT, Lucia Folk is responsible for corporate social responsibility and government affairs; including the channel’s national call to volunteerism, CMT One Country, which promotes civic participation and serves to inspire CMT viewers to lead change in their communities. CMT One Country nonprofit partners include Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity, Hands On Network and the USO. Folk launched the network’s public affairs division in 2006, and has garnered national attention and industry accolades for both the “Power Of One” campaign aimed at motivating one million volunteers across the U.S., along with the network’s national support of education initiatives.
Folk is a strong advocate for education, and leads CMT’s involvement with the Academies of Nashville in Metro Nashville Public Schools, an innovative approach which engages the business community to enhance public schools. She spearheaded CMT’s partnership with Nashville’s largest metro school in 2010, and subsequently earned naming rights for the school’s CMT Academy of Digital Design and Communications. In 2012 Folk grew her commitment to a national level with the launch of CMT Empowering Education, an initiative that challenges CMT viewers to pursue post-secondary education. She has been recognized by the Mayor of Nashville, the Nashville Chamber of Commerce and the Clinton Global Initiative, an annual event hosted by President Clinton focused on finding solutions to promote economic recovery in the United States.
Her leadership and commitment to philanthropy extends beyond her work at CMT, as Folk holds leadership roles in many local and national non-profits, including the Advisory Council for Hands on Nashville, the Board of Directors of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville. She is a member of National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) and Women in Cable Television (WICT), and was recognized as a Nashville Emerging Leader in 2010, and was a recipient of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce’s “Spirit of Nashville Award” in 2012. She is the current chair of the MNPS Arts, Entertainment and Communications Partnership Council, and served on the planning committee for the National Career Academy Coalition Conference held in Nashville.
Folk began her career with CMT in 2002 in the consumer marketing department, after prior stints at Marketing Werks, Inc., The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art. She is a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and has a master’s degree in arts administration from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and in a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Vanderbilt University.As Vice President of Public Affairs at CMT, Lucia Folk is responsible for corporate social responsibility and government affairs; including the channel’s national call to volunteerism, CMT One Country, which promotes civic participation and serves to inspire CMT viewers to lead change in their communities. CMT One Country nonprofit partners include Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity, Hands On Network and the USO. Folk launched the network’s public affairs division in 2006, and has garnered national attention and industry accolades for both the “Power Of One” campaign aimed at motivating one million volunteers across the U.S., along with the network’s national support of education initiatives.
Folk is a strong advocate for education, and leads CMT’s involvement with the Academies of Nashville in Metro Nashville Public Schools, an innovative approach which engages the business community to enhance public schools. She spearheaded CMT’s partnership with Nashville’s largest metro school in 2010, and subsequently earned naming rights for the school’s CMT Academy of Digital Design and Communications. In 2012 Folk grew her commitment to a national level with the launch of CMT Empowering Education, an initiative that challenges CMT viewers to pursue post-secondary education. She has been recognized by the Mayor of Nashville, the Nashville Chamber of Commerce and the Clinton Global Initiative, an annual event hosted by President Clinton focused on finding solutions to promote economic recovery in the United States.
Her leadership and commitment to philanthropy extends beyond her work at CMT, as Folk holds leadership roles in many local and national non-profits, including the Advisory Council for Hands on Nashville, the Board of Directors of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville. She is a member of National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) and Women in Cable Television (WICT), and was recognized as a Nashville Emerging Leader in 2010, and was a recipient of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce’s “Spirit of Nashville Award” in 2012. She is the current chair of the MNPS Arts, Entertainment and Communications Partnership Council, and served on the planning committee for the National Career Academy Coalition Conference held in Nashville.
Folk began her career with CMT in 2002 in the consumer marketing department, after prior stints at Marketing Werks, Inc., The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art. She is a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and has a master’s degree in arts administration from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and in a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Vanderbilt University. -
Margaret Comeaux
CMT
Margaret Comeaux is Vice President of Production, Music & Events for CMT. She serves as executive producer in charge of the brand’s top-rated marquee music events, television programming and development including: CMT Music Awards, CMT Artists of the Year, CMT Crossroads, and CMT’s “Let Freedom Sing!” Fourth of July Celebration, among many others.
With over 20+ years in television and events, Margaret is a true leader and juggernaut in televised music production. For two decades, she has pushed boundaries and continued to reinvent the most revered stages in country music by creating new, inventive ways to showcase up-and-coming and established music talent. She is the force behind CMT’s top-rated annual award shows - CMT Artists of the Year and CMT Music Awards - and is responsible for building CMT’s revered series, CMT Crossroads and continuing to elevate it to new heights. Her out-of-the box thinking, meticulous planning and affinity for one-of-a-kind specials that promote talent across genres are her greatest strengths. From producing sold-out shows at Bridgestone Arena to the annual live tapings of CMT Crossroads in front of thousands of fans on Broadway, Margaret’s work has resonated throughout Music Row, delighted audiences nationwide and always leaves top music talent itching to return to CMT stages year after year
In 2019, Margaret celebrated her 20th year producing CMT Artists of the Year and CMT Music Awards, which delivered two of the biggest years in both ratings and viral moments. She has spearheaded all 70+ episodes of CMT’s critically-acclaimed music series, CMT Crossroads, which just marked its 70th episode taping in November with Kelsea Ballerini and Halsey. The episode is slated to be one of the biggest shows of the franchise when it airs this March. Past episodes have showcased dream musical partnerships including Ray Charles and Travis Tritt; Bon Jovi and Sugarland; Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire; Def Leppard and Taylor Swift; Sting and Vince Gill; John Mayer and Keith Urban; Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood; Stevie Nicks and Lady Antebellum; Katy Perry and Kacey Musgraves; Alicia Keys and Maren Morris to name a few.
Margaret Comeaux is Vice President of Production, Music & Events for CMT. She serves as executive producer in charge of the brand’s top-rated marquee music events, television programming and development including: CMT Music Awards, CMT Artists of the Year, CMT Crossroads, and CMT’s “Let Freedom Sing!” Fourth of July Celebration, among many others.
With over 20+ years in television and events, Margaret is a true leader and juggernaut in televised music production. For two decades, she has pushed boundaries and continued to reinvent the most revered stages in country music by creating new, inventive ways to showcase up-and-coming and established music talent. She is the force behind CMT’s top-rated annual award shows - CMT Artists of the Year and CMT Music Awards - and is responsible for building CMT’s revered series, CMT Crossroads and continuing to elevate it to new heights. Her out-of-the box thinking, meticulous planning and affinity for one-of-a-kind specials that promote talent across genres are her greatest strengths. From producing sold-out shows at Bridgestone Arena to the annual live tapings of CMT Crossroads in front of thousands of fans on Broadway, Margaret’s work has resonated throughout Music Row, delighted audiences nationwide and always leaves top music talent itching to return to CMT stages year after year
In 2019, Margaret celebrated her 20th year producing CMT Artists of the Year and CMT Music Awards, which delivered two of the biggest years in both ratings and viral moments. She has spearheaded all 70+ episodes of CMT’s critically-acclaimed music series, CMT Crossroads, which just marked its 70th episode taping in November with Kelsea Ballerini and Halsey. The episode is slated to be one of the biggest shows of the franchise when it airs this March. Past episodes have showcased dream musical partnerships including Ray Charles and Travis Tritt; Bon Jovi and Sugarland; Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire; Def Leppard and Taylor Swift; Sting and Vince Gill; John Mayer and Keith Urban; Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood; Stevie Nicks and Lady Antebellum; Katy Perry and Kacey Musgraves; Alicia Keys and Maren Morris to name a few.
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Julia Silverton
CMT
In her role as Vice President of Development, Julia develops new ideas, pilots and presentations and oversees production of scripted, unscripted and live events for CMT.
Since joining the network in 2013, she successfully ushered in an impressive line-up of new series including “Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge,” which ranks as one of CMT’s most successful series of all time. Currently, she oversees production of the highly-anticipated scripted comedy “Still The King” starring Billy Ray Cyrus that is set to premiere early next year.
Before joining CMT, Julia was a show runner for more than 10 years. She began her career in the United Kingdom, eventually producing one of the country’s first docu-series, "Motorway," in 1997. Since moving back to the States, she has interviewed four U.S. Presidents, directed multiple music videos and produced hundreds of hours of television for some of reality’s most defining series, including "The Surreal Life" and "Intervention."
She holds a B.A. of Journalism and Military History from Boston University and resides in Venice Beach.
In her role as Vice President of Development, Julia develops new ideas, pilots and presentations and oversees production of scripted, unscripted and live events for CMT.
Since joining the network in 2013, she successfully ushered in an impressive line-up of new series including “Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge,” which ranks as one of CMT’s most successful series of all time. Currently, she oversees production of the highly-anticipated scripted comedy “Still The King” starring Billy Ray Cyrus that is set to premiere early next year.
Before joining CMT, Julia was a show runner for more than 10 years. She began her career in the United Kingdom, eventually producing one of the country’s first docu-series, "Motorway," in 1997. Since moving back to the States, she has interviewed four U.S. Presidents, directed multiple music videos and produced hundreds of hours of television for some of reality’s most defining series, including "The Surreal Life" and "Intervention."
She holds a B.A. of Journalism and Military History from Boston University and resides in Venice Beach.
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Morgan Selzer
CMT
As Vice President of Development, Morgan develops new ideas, pilots and presentations and oversees production of unscripted series and live events for CMT.
Since coming to CMT in 2014, she’s launched “Party Down South” and “Party Down South 2,” two of the most successful series in the network’s history. Currently she serves as the executive producer of the highly-anticipated fall series “I Love Kellie Pickler,” which follows the quirky star’s marriage to Kyle Jacobs, her complete opposite.
Before joining CMT, Morgan served as Director of Development for Style Network where she spearheaded new content creation, generated original formats, recruited talent and worked closely with production companies to acquire and mold original programming for the network, including Style’s first live and completely interactive weekly talk show “Style Pop.” She also developed numerous shows including the reboot of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” “Hollywood House Calls,” “Botched” and “Glam Squad.” Previously, Morgan served as manager at MTV where she supervised series including “America’s Best Dance Crew” and “From G’s To Gents.”
An avid pop culture junkie, she is a graduate of Hamilton College and resides in Venice Beach with her husband and son.
As Vice President of Development, Morgan develops new ideas, pilots and presentations and oversees production of unscripted series and live events for CMT.
Since coming to CMT in 2014, she’s launched “Party Down South” and “Party Down South 2,” two of the most successful series in the network’s history. Currently she serves as the executive producer of the highly-anticipated fall series “I Love Kellie Pickler,” which follows the quirky star’s marriage to Kyle Jacobs, her complete opposite.
Before joining CMT, Morgan served as Director of Development for Style Network where she spearheaded new content creation, generated original formats, recruited talent and worked closely with production companies to acquire and mold original programming for the network, including Style’s first live and completely interactive weekly talk show “Style Pop.” She also developed numerous shows including the reboot of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” “Hollywood House Calls,” “Botched” and “Glam Squad.” Previously, Morgan served as manager at MTV where she supervised series including “America’s Best Dance Crew” and “From G’s To Gents.”
An avid pop culture junkie, she is a graduate of Hamilton College and resides in Venice Beach with her husband and son.
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Quinn Brown
CMT
Most recently, Quinn Brown helped launch “Fuse News” for Madison Square Garden’s Fuse TV with acclaimed television producer Rick Kaplan, field producing at the Grammys and Brit Awards and leading the show’s Franchises unit. Prior to that, he worked as a producer on ABC News’ “World News with Diane Sawyer” and as senior producer on the launch of Nigel Lythgoe’s “Opening Act” (2012)—a music series on the E! Entertainment network—and HLN’s “Dr. Drew” in 2011.
More than a decade of Brown’s career was spent at CNN, including an eight-year run on “Larry King Live,” where he held a variety of positions, including field producing, line producing and creative directing. He produced a variety of shows and specials for “Larry King Live,” including those on the Beatles reunion, Barack Obama, the Judds, the Haiti earthquake, Mick Jagger, Al Pacino, Aretha Franklin and “Larry King Live’s” 25th anniversary. He was also a reporter and contributor at CNN.com covering all genres of music.
Brown won an Emmy Award for the 23rd Annual News and Documentary Awards while at CNN for 9/11 coverage. He is also a recipient of multiple Peabody Awards for CNN’s coverage of Hurricane Katrina (2005), Election Coverage (2008) and the Gulf Oil Disaster (2010), as well as a Dupont Award for CNN Tsunami coverage (2005).
Brown graduated from the University of Georgia and is a native of Atlanta. He relocated from New York and now resides in Nashville with his wife Jennifer and dog Hank.Most recently, Quinn Brown helped launch “Fuse News” for Madison Square Garden’s Fuse TV with acclaimed television producer Rick Kaplan, field producing at the Grammys and Brit Awards and leading the show’s Franchises unit. Prior to that, he worked as a producer on ABC News’ “World News with Diane Sawyer” and as senior producer on the launch of Nigel Lythgoe’s “Opening Act” (2012)—a music series on the E! Entertainment network—and HLN’s “Dr. Drew” in 2011.
More than a decade of Brown’s career was spent at CNN, including an eight-year run on “Larry King Live,” where he held a variety of positions, including field producing, line producing and creative directing. He produced a variety of shows and specials for “Larry King Live,” including those on the Beatles reunion, Barack Obama, the Judds, the Haiti earthquake, Mick Jagger, Al Pacino, Aretha Franklin and “Larry King Live’s” 25th anniversary. He was also a reporter and contributor at CNN.com covering all genres of music.
Brown won an Emmy Award for the 23rd Annual News and Documentary Awards while at CNN for 9/11 coverage. He is also a recipient of multiple Peabody Awards for CNN’s coverage of Hurricane Katrina (2005), Election Coverage (2008) and the Gulf Oil Disaster (2010), as well as a Dupont Award for CNN Tsunami coverage (2005).
Brown graduated from the University of Georgia and is a native of Atlanta. He relocated from New York and now resides in Nashville with his wife Jennifer and dog Hank. -
Brian Philips
CMT
Brian Philips serves as president of CMT, and is responsible for the day-to-day management, creative direction and overall growth strategy for the brand. Combining his passion for music with an emphasis on creativity, Philips oversees all aspects of the network’s original programming, new business, acquisitions, digital/social expansion and music strategy.
At the helm since 2001, Philips has driven more than a decade of ratings growth and new audience development at CMT. He is widely credited with doubling the network’s subscriber base, and expanding its fingerprint to touch virtually every media platform, including an explosion of hits in four distinct programming lanes: music, scripted, unscripted and documentaries. Under his leadership, CMT premiered the fan favorite series “Nashville,” to record viewership, attracted its largest awards show audience to date with “2016 CMT Music Awards” and launched its highest rated original series to date with “Still The King.”
Philips advocated the launch of CMT’s first syndicated nightly radio show, CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan, and recently partnered with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment for the launch of CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan, combining two powerhouse brands for unprecedented reach. More recently, under his direction, CMT has experienced hyper social growth currently reaching 15 million fans across social platforms.
Before joining CMT, Philips forged an illustrious career in radio across multiple music genres. He enjoys the unusual distinction of having been nominated as Billboard’s “Major Market PD of the Year” in three different formats (Top 40, Modern Rock and Country). While at Atlanta's 99X, he was selected “Most Innovative Programmer in America” by Virtually Alternative magazine, and received the prestigious Rick Carroll Award for Programming in Los Angeles in 1998.
Philips has received numerous accolades for his work at CMT, having been named among Variety’s Music City Impact Report, Billboard’s TV’s Top Music Players List, Billboard’s Nashville Top 50 Power Players List and T.J. Martell Foundation’s prestigious Frances Preston Outstanding Music Industry Achievement Award. He enjoys an active role in the Nashville community as a member of the board of directors of the Country Music Association (CMA); an alumnus of Leadership Music; a member of NARAS; and a member of PETA’s Vanguard Board. He has been named a member of the Board of Trustees for the Christmas Record Trust of Special Olympics International, and served as Honorary Chairman for Project Paper Doll, which benefits the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. He advocates political activism and is currently Chairman of the Entertainment Advisory Council for the USO. Currently Philips is a member of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s CEO Champions, a committee of business and community leaders dedicated to championing improvement in local high schools.
(Updated January 2017)
Brian Philips serves as president of CMT, and is responsible for the day-to-day management, creative direction and overall growth strategy for the brand. Combining his passion for music with an emphasis on creativity, Philips oversees all aspects of the network’s original programming, new business, acquisitions, digital/social expansion and music strategy.
At the helm since 2001, Philips has driven more than a decade of ratings growth and new audience development at CMT. He is widely credited with doubling the network’s subscriber base, and expanding its fingerprint to touch virtually every media platform, including an explosion of hits in four distinct programming lanes: music, scripted, unscripted and documentaries. Under his leadership, CMT premiered the fan favorite series “Nashville,” to record viewership, attracted its largest awards show audience to date with “2016 CMT Music Awards” and launched its highest rated original series to date with “Still The King.”
Philips advocated the launch of CMT’s first syndicated nightly radio show, CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan, and recently partnered with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment for the launch of CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan, combining two powerhouse brands for unprecedented reach. More recently, under his direction, CMT has experienced hyper social growth currently reaching 15 million fans across social platforms.
Before joining CMT, Philips forged an illustrious career in radio across multiple music genres. He enjoys the unusual distinction of having been nominated as Billboard’s “Major Market PD of the Year” in three different formats (Top 40, Modern Rock and Country). While at Atlanta's 99X, he was selected “Most Innovative Programmer in America” by Virtually Alternative magazine, and received the prestigious Rick Carroll Award for Programming in Los Angeles in 1998.
Philips has received numerous accolades for his work at CMT, having been named among Variety’s Music City Impact Report, Billboard’s TV’s Top Music Players List, Billboard’s Nashville Top 50 Power Players List and T.J. Martell Foundation’s prestigious Frances Preston Outstanding Music Industry Achievement Award. He enjoys an active role in the Nashville community as a member of the board of directors of the Country Music Association (CMA); an alumnus of Leadership Music; a member of NARAS; and a member of PETA’s Vanguard Board. He has been named a member of the Board of Trustees for the Christmas Record Trust of Special Olympics International, and served as Honorary Chairman for Project Paper Doll, which benefits the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. He advocates political activism and is currently Chairman of the Entertainment Advisory Council for the USO. Currently Philips is a member of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s CEO Champions, a committee of business and community leaders dedicated to championing improvement in local high schools.
(Updated January 2017)
CMT Executives
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