The Hollywood Radio and Television Association has selected new Board of Directors and Advisory Committee members. HRTS’ Board of Directors includes 11 new directors and 19 returning directors. The group also announced 18 additional advisory board members.
The news was announced Thursday by HRTS Board of Directors Acting Director Tim McNeil, HRTS Chairman David Madden, and HRTS CEO and HRTS Foundation Chairman Melissa Grego.
“I am excited to welcome our newly elected board members and advisory committee members, as each of them brings significant experience, expertise and relationships to HRTS at a pivotal time for our industry and many of our members,” McNeil said in a statement. “Our Board of Directors representatives and members alike are comprised of creative and working professionals from across the entertainment industry, representing many major studios, networks and streaming platforms.”
Also on Thursday, the HRTS Foundation announced the launch of the HRTS Legacy Scholarship. This is an annual scholarship that helps mid-career and early career HRTS members pay their dues, as well as assists students who have been affected by recent layoffs or natural disasters, or who are underrepresented or underrepresented. According to HRTS, the new scholarship will support up to 300 members and will be funded entirely by private donations from the HRTS Board of Directors, HRTS Foundation and advisory board members. Applications for scholarships are now being accepted here.
The new HRTS director, who will begin a three-year term beginning in November 2025, is Joao Alfano, Executive Vice President, Current Programming, Universal Television. Vivian Cannon, Executive Vice President, Drama Development, Universal Television. Cliff Decatorell (Deca Media Producer/Founder/CEO). Christopher King, Senior Vice President, Drama Development, Sony Pictures Television. Linnea McArt (Vice President and Managing Director, 1st Century Bank, Head of Finance, HRTS); Ryan O’Dowd (Unscripted, President, BBC Studios). Josh Hornstock (Partner at United Talent Agency); Rose Katherine Pinckney (Media Executive, Producer, Consultant). Brian Seabury (Executive Vice President, Drama Development, CBS Studios); Amir Shakarili (Senior Partner and Head of Unscripted Television, WME); Mr. Joshua Sussman, Head of Business, Disney Entertainment Television.
The returning director is Kate Adler (executive vice president of comedy development, CBS Studios). Paul Buccelli (President and Chairman, A+E Global Media); Kathryn Buzbee (President, Original Programming, Starz); Albert Chen (Vice President and Head of AI Studios, Amazon MGM); Christina Davis (Producer and Executive, Amazon Studios); Jamie Feld (Co-Head, Television Talent, CAA); Scott Harvey (Stockholder, Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin LLP); Greg Lipstone (Voxovation) David Madden (President, Webtoon Productions); Philippe Maigret (President and Managing Director, ITV Studios America); Tim McNeil (Senior Vice President, Creative Talent Development and Inclusion, Disney Entertainment, Disney Television Studios); Andrew Miller (Agent, CAA Television Division); DJ Noure (Executive Producer, Amplify Pictures); Brett Paul (President, Warner Bros. Television Group, WBD US); Networks COO). Tina Perry (President, OWN); Kim Rosenfeld (President, Half Full Studios); Robin Schwartz (President, Working Bird, Inc.); Chris Selak (President and Chief Content Officer, end of episode). Odetta Watkins (Head of Drama Series, Amazon MGM Studios).
The advisory committee, which is made up of former agents, will also begin its three-year term starting this month. The members are: Charlie Andrews, Executive Vice President, Live Action, Disney Brand Television. Bela Bajaria (Chief Content Officer, Netflix); Stephen Davis (Managing Partner, Still Pictures); Tara Duncan (President, Onyx Collective); Dan Erlij (Partner, Co-Head of Television Literary, United Talent Agency); Andy Friendly (President, Andy Friendly Productions); Kelly Good (Media Executive and Consultant); Frank Jung (Founder and CEO, Franchise Media Collective); Lisa Katz (NBC) Universal, president of scripted content); Mark Corman (WME Entertainment partner and agent); Jordan Levine (Professor of Practice, University of Texas at Austin, Department of Radio, Television, and Film, Moody College of Communication). Gary Marenzi (Founder/CEO, Marenzi & Associates); John Moraynis (CEO, Blink49 Studios); Gary Numan (Executive Partner, Attention Capital); Eric Schrier (President, Disney Television Studios and World Original Television Strategy for Disney Entertainment). Beatrice Springborn (President, Universal Studios Group, UPC and Universal International Studios); Erin Underhill (President, Universal Television); Chris von Goetz (Founder, Adventure Media).
HRTS leaders include executives from A+E Global Media, Amazon MGM Studios, BBC Studios, CAA, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, Starz, The Walt Disney Company, UTA, Warner Bros. Discovery, WME, and more.
Grego said, “I am inspired by and truly proud of our leadership team for stepping up to create the new HRTS Legacy Scholarship, which is funded entirely by board members’ own personal donations. This reflects our organization’s sincere dedication to working together across all career levels and generations to create a healthy, inclusive, and equitable global entertainment industry that benefits all members.”
