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Publicists for Max’s hit medical drama “The Pitt” took the top prize, Campaign of the Year, at the 3rd annual Tpec Awards, honoring publicity campaigns across television and streaming. The ceremony was held Wednesday night.

“The Pitt” publicity team also landed the prize for New Drama Series, making the show the night’s top winner with 2 awards.

Meanwhile Chris Ender, executive VP and head of communications for CBS, won the Ben Halpern Lifetime Achievement Award. Variety executive editor Michael Schneider won the Press Impact Award Recipient, presented for the first time in 2025.

The ceremony’s Rising Star awards were presented to MGM+ publicist Lauren Dundee, Amazon MGM Studios publicist Charlotte McManus and Disney branded television and Freeform senior publicist Leah Palacios. The award honors early career publicists.

Read on for the full list of competitive winners at the 2025 Tpec awards.

Campaign of the Year – The Pitt

Returning Drama Series...

Tpec (Television Publicity Executive Committee) has announced the recipients of the annual 2025 Tpec Awards, honoring publicity campaigns across television.

The Tpec Awards were held in Los Angeles, where the ceremony recognized individual achievement, including this year’s Ben Halpern Lifetime Achievement Award to Chris Ender, the executive VP and head of communications at CBS, and the inaugural Press Impact Award to Michael Schneider, Variety‘s executive editor, television.

The Tpec Awards spotlights programming campaigns and publicity from every genre and platform. Campaigns were entered by publicity teams around the world from broadcast networks, cable channels, streamers, and studios, including ABC, CBS Studios, Comedy Central, Crunchyroll, Disney Channel, Disney Jr., Disney+, Fox, FX, Hallmark, Hulu, Lifetime, Max, MTV, National Geographic, NBC, Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, Prime Video and Showtime.

“With more submissions than past years, every campaign entered reflected an incredible range of creativity, innovation, and strategy from across all platforms,” said Tpec chair Wendy Zocks,...

Actor Brooke Shields has been elected president of Actors’ Equity Association, the union has announced.

Shields took the lead in a three-way race, beating out stage manager Erin Maureen Koster and actor Wydetta Carter. Actors’ Equity is represents 51,000 actors and stage managers.

Shields succeeds Kate Shindle as president, who announced in April that she would not seek re-election when her nine-year tenure ended May 23. Shindle has said that she will remain active in the labor movement but now intends to focus on resuming her acting career, noting that the unpaid position of president left her with so little time for acting that she had not been able to clock enough professional hours to quality for Equity health insurance.

Shields’ win was confirmed this morning by Equity, which announced the results of its 2024 Officer and Councilor Election. In total, 45 council seats across all three regions and representing four categories were filled, effective immediately. All terms are four years except where noted.

In addition to Shields, the 2024 officers include Rashaan James II, elected Eastern Regional Vice President; Sarah Labarr, elected Central Regional Vice President, without opposition. Jeffrey Landman was elected Western Regional Vice President, without opposition. All officers were elected to four-year terms.

In announcing her run for the presidency in April, Shields said, “I felt it was my responsibility to step up, I want to lead with strength. I want to lead with intelligence, with compassion, with passion. And, of course, a little bit of humor, always…I have been in the trenches with you and you have always had my back. And I’m here to tell you that I have your back.”

Shields comes to the position with no experience in union leadership, but has been a working actor since childhood. She has appeared on Broadway in Grease, Chicago, Cabaret, Wonderful Town and The Addams Family.

In addition to the national elections, the following candidates were elected in regional positions:

In the Eastern Region:

The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Eastern Regional Principal Councilor:

Jeff Blumenkrantz Jennifer Cody Jacqueline Jarrold Claire Karpen Austin Ku Jeffrey Omura Kellie Overbey Kate Shindle Nancy Slusser Richard Topol

Michele Ragusa was elected to a two-year term as Eastern Regional Principal Councilor.

The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Eastern Regional Chorus Councilor:

Belinda Allyn Holly Ann Butler Rebecca Kim Jordan Nikka Graff Lanzarone Melissa Hunter McCann T. Shyvonne Stewart

Ryan Rodiño was elected to a two-year term as Eastern Regional Chorus Councilor.

The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Eastern Regional Stage Manager Councilor:

Anne McPherson Rebecca McBee Peter Royston

The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Eastern Regional At-Large Councilor:

Tamara Anderson Logan Benedict Leslie Sears

In the Central Region:

The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Central Regional Principal Councilor:

Rebecca Prescott Colin Sphar Nikki Switzer

The following candidate weas unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Central Regional Stage Manager Councilor:

Katherine Nelson

The following candidate was unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Central Regional At-Large Councilor:

Carolyn Fast

In the Western Region:

The following candidates were elected to four-year terms as Western Regional Principal Councilor:

Ry Armstrong Michael James Bell Kate Burton Barbara Callander Josh Grisetti Kwana A. L. Martinez

The following candidates were elected to two-year terms as Western Regional Principal Councilor:

Brian Herndon Cynthia Marty Gregory North

Juliane Godfrey was unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Western Regional Chorus Councilor.

David S. Cohen was unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Western Regional Stage Manager Councilor.

Michelle Dunn was unopposed and deemed elected to a four-year term as Western Regional At-Large Councilor.

Following the major second round of Disney layoffs, Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul, EVP, Publicity, and Head of Communications for Disney General Entertainment, has set her team for the Disney Entertainment Television communications and publicity operation, which includes new responsibilities for a number of executives.

On the communications side, ABC’s Richard Horrmann will be taking on a new role overseeing strategic communications for Disney Entertainment Television, working closely with Bulochnikov-Paul and in partnership with all of the brand PR leads.

Additionally, Elisa Bolduc will head internal communications and Robert Nunez will oversee visual communications, and both will report to Horrmann.

Joining the strategic communications team from other parts of the company are Fonda Berosini, who will lead communications for Networks as well as Insights & Research, inclusive of all ratings publicity; and Jonelle Kelly, who will lead executive communications for the organization.

And Nicole Balgemino-Kim is adding cultural communications to her purview alongside...

After its most recent round of layoffs, Disney Entertainment has reorganized its communication and publicity departments, TheWrap confirmed on Friday.

Separate from today’s re-org, a spokesperson confirmed that in February, Shari Rosenblum, an 18-year veteran of the studio and SVP of publicity for Disney Television Studios, began heading up publicity, talent relations and events for 20th Television, 20th Animation and ABC Signature. She reports to Candice Ashton.

Additional changes across the company include the following:

Richard Horrmann will now oversee strategic communications for Disney Entertainment Television. Both Elisa Bolduc, who’ll now manage internal communications, and Robert Nunez, who will be in charge of visual communications, will report to him.

Also Read:

Disney+ SVP of Marketing Trevor Kelley Out as Part of Company-Wide Layoffs | Exclusive

Ashley Kline Shapiro heads up all publicity for ABC Entertainment, with Katherine Taylor of scripted publicity and Chelsie Tanamachi of unscripted PR reporting to her.

Disney Entertainment has reshuffled roles and oversight among some comms and PR execs amid the second round of layoffs companywide this year.

In addition to this week’s changes, Variety has confirmed that since February, Shari Rosenblum has led publicity, talent relations and events across 20th Television, 20th Animation and ABC Signature as SVP of publicity for Disney Television Studios.

Rosenblum, who has spent 18 years at the studio leading campaign efforts for series including “Modern Family,” “The Dropout” and “Homeland,” reports to Candice Ashton, senior vice president of publicity and events, Hulu Originals and Disney Television Studios. Ashton is adding Hulu licensed, acquired and international publicity to her oversight.

New reorg moves include:

Richard Horrmann will be taking on a new role overseeing strategic communications for Disney Entertainment Television.

Elisa Bolduc will head internal communications and Robert Nunez will now oversee visual communications, and both will report to Horrmann.

Fonda Berosini...

NBCUniversal communications vet Katherine Nelson has joined Disney Branded Television in the newly-created role of vice president of corporate communications.

In this position, Nelson will be responsible for overall communications strategy in support of the organization’s business and executive team as they ramp up the volume of programming that they create, produce and market for Disney+ and linear networks Disney Channel, Disney Xd and Disney Junior.

Based in Burbank, California, Nelson will have a focus on communications that drive the business and build Disney Branded Television’s brand reputation. She will be responsible for leading both external and internal communications for the organization, driving alignment and integrated messaging around strategy, business operations, brand development and internal culture.

Nelson will report to both Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, and Charissa Gilmore, who is newly-promoted to senior vice president of corporate communications at Disney General Entertainment.

“Storytelling is at...

Veteran communications executive Katherine Nelson has been named VP of Corporate Communications for Disney Branded Television.

Nelson will be taking on a newly created role in which she’ll be responsible for overall communications strategy for the division and its programming output targeting the Disney+ streaming platform and linear networks Disney Channel, Disney Xd and Disney Junior. Based in Burbank, CA, Nelson will report to both Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television; and Charissa Gilmore, SVP, Corporate Communications, Disney General Entertainment.

“Storytelling is at the heart of everything we do, and Katherine is known throughout the industry as a master communicator,” Davis said. “As we build upon our legacy of success and broaden our scope to connect with kids and families around the globe, I’m delighted to welcome Katherine to the Disney Branded Television team.”

Added Gilmore, “When we created this new role, I asked colleagues in the industry and press for recommendations,...

After eight years at NBCUniversal, most recently as Group SVP Communications, USA Network & Syfy, Katherine Nelson will be leaving the company at the end of the month.

Nelson’s departure was expected in light of the major restructuring of NBCUniversal TV and streaming operations last fall that left no suitable senior role for her and led to the exits of the top programming executives she worked closely with, Chris McCumber, Bill McGoldrick and Dawn Olmstead.

A seasoned and well respected PR executive, Nelson has served in her most recent role since 2016, overseeing communications for corporate, publicity, talent relations, events and awards for USA and Syfy. From 2017-2020, Nelson also oversaw communications and marketing for UCP. She led national publicity for all scripted and unscripted series and specials, and oversaw live and digital events, including screenings, festivals, press conferences, junkets, red carpets, TCA, Comic-Cons and more.

Nelson previously served as SVP...

Kate Shindle has been re-elected president of Actors’ Equity, the union representing more than 51,000 theatrical actors and stage managers. She was first elected to the post in 2015, having previously served as the union’s eastern regional vice president. She made her Broadway debut in Jekyll & Hyde, with other notable Broadway roles including Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Vivienne in Legally Blonde and the Mad Hatter in Frank Wildhorn’s Wonderland.

In other elections, Dee Hoty was elected Eastern regional vice president and Kelley Faulkner was elected Cntral regional vice president. Doug Carfrae, running unopposed, was elected Western regional vice president.

The union did not provide vote totals or say who the losing candidates were in any of the races.

The election also included 42 council seats across all three regions, representing principal actors, chorus actors and stage managers, along with a new at-large category.

The candidates elected Eastern Region Principal Councilor:

Victoria Clark

Michele L.

Tracy St. Pierre has been promoted to senior vice president of communications at NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. In her new role, St. Pierre will oversee program publicity and awards for USA, Syfy, Universal Cable Productions, and Wilshire Studios.

The promotion was announced via an internal memo Thursday from Katherine Nelson, group Svp of communications for USA, Syfy, Universal Cable Productions and Wilshire Studios, to whom St. Pierre will report.

St. Pierre is a 15-year veteran of NBCUniversal, having begun her tenure with the company at NBC. She moved to USA in 2013 as a vice president of publicity.

Read the full note from Nelson below:

I am very pleased to announce that Tracy St. Pierre has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Communications.

Reporting to me, Tracy will continue to manage program publicity and awards for USA Network and Syfy, as well as communications strategy for Universal Cable Productions. Additionally, Tracy will...

Tracy St. Pierre has been promoted to Svp Communications for USA Network and Syfy.

Upped from her previous VP role, St. Pierre will continue to manage program publicity and awards for USA Network and Syfy, as well as communications strategy for Universal Cable Productions. Additionally, St. Pierre will add oversight of Wilshire Studios, the unscripted production arm of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, and serve as the primary communications contact for studio co-presidents Dawn Olmstead and George Cheeks.

St. Pierre reports to Katherine Nelson, Svp Communications, Entertainment Networks

NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, who announced St. Pierre’s promotion in an internal memo to staff.

A 15-year veteran of NBCUniversal, Tracy has been VP Communications, USA Network since 2013, with Syfy added to her responsibilities in 2015. At USA and Syfy, she has managed campaign and awards strategies for original series, most recently The Sinner, Mr. Robot, Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.

Katherine Nelson has been named senior vice president of communications for SyFy and Chiller, group president Dave Howe said on Wednesday. Nelson will report to Howe, who is president of NBCUniversal’s SyFy and Chiller networks, as Svp of communications responsible for overall strategy for those networks, including corporate communications, show publicity and talent relations. Also Read: Syfy to Pay Tribute to Leonard Nimoy with Special Programming Block “Katherine is an accomplished communications veteran with a truly unique background and deep experience in promoting high quality, smart, provocative entertainment,” Howe said in a statement. Nelson joins SyFy and Chiller from Esquire Network,...

Katherine Nelson moves to Syfy and Chiller from NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment sister Esquire Network, where she had served as Svp Communications since January 2013. In her new role, Nelson is responsible for overall communications strategy for Syfy and Chiller, including corporate communications, program publicity and talent relations. Based in New York, she will oversee the networks' teams in both New York and Los Angeles, reporting to Dave Howe, President, Syfy and…...

Dave Serwatka has been named VP Current Programming, Jamie French has joined as VP Communications and Marta Harmon will serve as VP Marketing, Esquire Network said today. Serwatka will oversee and guide the network’s current programming division, reporting to Matt Hanna, Head of Original Programming. Serwatka joins Esquire Network following a nine-year tenure at Bravo Media, where he most recently served as Vice President of Current & Cross Platform Productions. French will manage Esquire Network program publicity and talent relations for its slate of new original programming, reporting to Head of Communications Katherine Nelson. Most recently, French served as Vice President, Communications for Style Network And Harmon will oversee consumer, trade and event marketing in her role as Vice President of Marketing, reporting to Deena Stern, Svp, Marketing and Digital. Harmon previously served as Vice President of Consumer Marketing for Style Network.