Priya Swaminathan is stepping down from her role as co-head of film and television at Higher Ground, the media company founded by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.
At the same time, the former president and First Lady announced several new additions to the company’s executive team, most notably hiring Joe Paulsen, an old Obama hand, as head of business and strategy.
Swaminathan, a former executive at Annapurna, was the first hire the Obamas made when they launched Higher Ground. She has helped grow the company since joining it in 2019, overseeing the rollout of the Oscar-winning documentary “American Factory” and the Oscar-nominated “Crip Camp.” The decision to leave the company was Swaminathan’s own and she remains a favorite of the Obamas, as evidenced by a glowing statement they released.
“We are so grateful to Priya for her tremendous impact at Higher Ground these past few years,” the Obamas said in a statement.
At the same time, the former president and First Lady announced several new additions to the company’s executive team, most notably hiring Joe Paulsen, an old Obama hand, as head of business and strategy.
Swaminathan, a former executive at Annapurna, was the first hire the Obamas made when they launched Higher Ground. She has helped grow the company since joining it in 2019, overseeing the rollout of the Oscar-winning documentary “American Factory” and the Oscar-nominated “Crip Camp.” The decision to leave the company was Swaminathan’s own and she remains a favorite of the Obamas, as evidenced by a glowing statement they released.
“We are so grateful to Priya for her tremendous impact at Higher Ground these past few years,” the Obamas said in a statement.
- 7/29/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground is launching its first Spotify podcast after striking a deal with the music streaming service last year.
The Michelle Obama Podcast will launch on July 29 and will feature candid and personal conversations from the former First Lady. You can listen to a teaser for the pod here.
The pair said that the podcast will “show us what’s possible when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to open up, and to focus on what matters most”.
Guests will include Marian and Craig Robinson, Conan O’Brien, Valerie Jarrett, Michele Norris and Dr. Sharon Malone MD. Salesforce and Procter & Gamble brands Dawn and Tide will serve as the first season’s presenting sponsors.
Higher Ground Audio is led by Dan Fierman, a veteran of Epic Magazine, MTV, Grantland and GQ. First Look Media alum and Jezebel founder Anna Holmes is the group’s Executive Vice President.
The Michelle Obama Podcast will launch on July 29 and will feature candid and personal conversations from the former First Lady. You can listen to a teaser for the pod here.
The pair said that the podcast will “show us what’s possible when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to open up, and to focus on what matters most”.
Guests will include Marian and Craig Robinson, Conan O’Brien, Valerie Jarrett, Michele Norris and Dr. Sharon Malone MD. Salesforce and Procter & Gamble brands Dawn and Tide will serve as the first season’s presenting sponsors.
Higher Ground Audio is led by Dan Fierman, a veteran of Epic Magazine, MTV, Grantland and GQ. First Look Media alum and Jezebel founder Anna Holmes is the group’s Executive Vice President.
- 7/16/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
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