Former NBCUniversal communications executive Alison Rawlings has joined Disney Entertainment as the new head of public relations and communications at FX.
Rawlings will succeed John Solberg, the longtime head of FX public relations, who announced in June that he would be stepping down after nearly 30 years. In his new job, Mr. Rawlings will report directly to FX Chairman John Landgraf. She will also report dotted to Naomi Bulochnikov, executive vice president of communications for Disney Entertainment Television and Direct to Consumer.
“FX’s communications strategy has always been based on our passionate support for the artists who call our brands home and our unwavering commitment to respecting the journalists who cover our industry,” Landgraf said in a statement. “With Alison taking the helm of our public relations and communications team, we have a leader we admire, whose experience, creativity and passion will continue and expand the work of FX and further enhance the integrity with which we pursue it.”
Landgraf and FX announced the hiring of Rawlings on Wednesday. According to the news release, Rawlings’ responsibilities will include “strategic direction and vision for the network’s promotional, communications and creative services functions,” including talent relations, awards, events and photo promotion. Her oversight includes consumer advertising campaigns for FX Originals, which stream exclusively on Hulu and Disney+. It also runs on the FX and FXX cable channels.
“FX has long been synonymous with great entertainment,” Rawlings said. “I have admired them from afar for years and am honored and excited to join this great team.”
Rawlings, who joined NBCU in 2016, previously served as vice president of communications for television and streaming at NBCUniversal before retiring earlier this year. In that role, she oversaw communications strategy across NBC, Peacock, and six cable networks. Last year, this included “repositioning Peacock in the run-up to and during the 2024 Paris Olympics.” She left in March after a corporate reorganization moved communications duties to New York.
Prior to joining NBCU, Ms. Rawlings served as director of public relations for DreamWorks Animation, where she built the company’s first unified communications function and guided the promotion of Oscar-nominated films such as “The Croods” and “How to Train Your Dragon 2.” She also helped launch DreamWorks Animation Television in 2013.
Early in her career, Rawlings focused on nonprofit arts, serving as director of public relations for the Geffen Playhouse, brand strategy for Center Theater Group, and director of public relations for the Hollywood Bowl. As part of the LA Philharmonic’s press team, she helped open Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2003.
