awards / current

Peter Liguori

Jury Chair, 2012 PromaxBDA Promotion, Marketing and Design Awards

Peter Liguori is the Jury Chair for the 2012 PromaxBDA Promotion, Marketing and Design Awards. Formerly the COO of Discovery Communications, Liguori served as a key member of Discovery Communications' senior executive team, providing leadership and vision for the company's operational organizations, including marketing, Discovery Studios, corporate communications and corporate affairs, business affairs, and media technology, production and operations, as well as playing a key role in corporate budget and business decisions.

In addition to his operational role, Liguori also chaired Discovery's content committee, comprised of U.S. Networks general managers with a focus on maximizing the value of the company's marketing resources, network portfolio and overall corporate assets. He also serves as the lead executive representing Discovery Communications in its joint ventures with Hasbro, Inc., OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, and the Discovery-Sony-IMAX 3D channel.

Before joining Discovery in 2009, Liguori served as president of entertainment for Fox Broadcasting Company, where he was responsible for all Fox program development and marketing. Prior to assuming that position in 2005, Liguori was president and CEO of News Corp.'s FX Networks since 1998, overseeing business and programming operations for FX and Fox Movie Channel. Under his leadership, over a five-year period, FX grew from an emerging network reaching 39 million homes to a top-five basic cable network reaching more than 84 million homes and recording all-time highs in ratings and revenue.

Jennifer Ball

SVP, Distribution Marketing, Univision Communications Inc.

Jennifer Ball, SVP of distribution marketing at Univision Communications Inc., directs strategic partnerships with all content providers, and oversees integrated marketing initiatives for Univision's growing suite of networks. In her role, Ball leads all national distribution marketing initiatives by directing both a partnership marketing team built to provide business solutions for distributors as well as a services group providing everything from custom creative development for distributors to multi-platform industry campaigns.

Before joining Univision, Ball served as VP of distribution marketing for A&E Television Networks (AETN), where she directed all distribution marketing initiatives and the strategic positioning of AETN's seven US cable networks. Ball joined AETN in 1999 as manager of affiliate marketing. She was promoted to director in 2002 and vice president in May 2006. During her tenure at AETN, she developed cross-platform strategies and campaigns that helped increase AETN program ratings and brand awareness, while also promoting business initiatives for distributors. Ball was part of the team that launched VOD, A&E HD, History HD, History en Español, Military History and Crime & Investigation Network, and directed the strategic positioning of these networks among distributors.

Before joining AETN, she served in marketing and promotions positions at Media One, Continental Cablevision and Cablevision of Boston.

Ball has been recognized with numerous awards from CTAM, PromaxBDA and other industry organizations for marketing excellence. She participates in several industry organizations and currently serves on the board of directors of WICT New York Chapter, has served as the chair of the CTAM Mark Awards Committee (2009) and completed the industry-recognized Betsy Magness Leadership program.

Laurel Bernard

EVP Marketing, Fox Broadcasting

Bio Coming Soon

Chris Do

Founder & Executive Creative Director, Bl:nd

bio coming soon.

Mark Feldstein

Principal, Stun Creative/Buster/BusterINK

As one of the founders and principals of the award-winning agency/production company Stun Creative (as well as its in-house motion graphics shop Buster Design and print division BusterINK), Mark Feldstein and his team have been behind some of the most high-profile multi-platform campaigns in broadcast and cable. Since opening its doors 12 years ago with co-founder Brad Roth, Stun Creative has earned a reputation as one of the go-to shops for stand-out series launch spots, branded entertainment and traditional commercials for the industry’s top media and consumer brands.

Stephanie Gibbons

EVP, Marketing & On-Air Promotion, FX Networks

Stephanie Gibbons is EVP of marketing and on-air promotion for FX Networks, responsible for the creation and implementation of all print and electronic marketing and advertising campaigns for FX and Fox Movie Channel. Gibbons also oversees off-network and cross-channel platform marketing initiatives for FX and FMC though Internet, mobile, VOD and other alternative media.

Gibbons is a strategic and creative innovator and her unique aesthetic has taken the marketing and promotion of the network’s acclaimed original series to new heights. Under her inspired direction, the network has won more than 150 PromaxBDA Awards since 2006. In 2011, Gibbons and her team won their first-ever PromaxBDA Award for Marketing Team of the Year.

Gibbons’s marketing acumen has helped propel FX to the highest overall ratings in its history. In 2011, she developed masterful campaigns for the network’s two newest hit series, “American Horror Story” and “Wilfred.” The drama series “American Horror Story,” from Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, is certain to become the highest-rated first season of any series ever for FX, and “Wilfred” was the highest-rated first season of any FX comedy.

Gibbons has produced iconic marketing campaigns for the Golden Globe-winning drama “Sons of Anarchy,” which is the highest-rated series in FX history, Emmy Award winner “Justified,” Emmy and Golden Globe winner “Damages,” and Emmy and Golden Globe nominee “Rescue Me.”

Gibbons’s efforts on the FX comedy front include critically lauded campaigns for the acclaimed hit “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” Emmy Award nominee “Louie,” the acclaimed animated series “Archer” and “The League.”

This year, Gibbons’s overall body of work over seven seasons for the Golden Globe award-winning hit drama series “Nip/Tuck” received a Hall of Fame award nomination from CTAM for outstanding marketing campaign for a cable television series.

In 2008, Gibbons was responsible for overseeing the launch of FX’s first-ever network branding campaign. Entitled “THERE IS NO BOX,” it put forth a true brand proposition geared to market the network as a whole, inclusive of its programming components. The campaign reflects FX's reputation as a groundbreaking and critically acclaimed programmer, which airs more scripted original cable series than any other advertiser-supported cable network. The multi-million dollar branding campaign debuted in December of 2008 and included the purchase of a 60-second spot in Fox’s coverage of Super Bowl XVII. This branding campaign is a phased multi-year effort and includes off-network, print and online media buys.

In addition, Gibbons has been a driving force behind the re-launch of the network’s website, FXnetworks.com. The re-launch has provided an extended experience to viewers featuring original content for FX originals and movies. The site now focuses on interactive media and information but also empowers viewers to impact programming through interactive features, online events and content submissions, using multiple platforms to extend programming.

With News Corporation, FX’s parent company, Gibbons serves on the marketing advisory committee for “Cool Change,” which is the company’s global initiative to make the company carbon neutral and create internal awareness of energy conservation and global warming. She also helped to develop the campaign for “FoxFoward,” Fox’s corporate initiative to redefine internal relations and communications between the company and its employees.

In 2006, Gibbons was named one of the Ten Most Amazing Gay Women in Showbiz by the New York Gay and Lesbian Center. She has overseen the marketing of programming that features lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters – most notably “Nip/Tuck” – which has lead to the network’s recent recognition by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) as one of the most gay-friendly and responsible television networks.

Gibbons joined FX in December of 2004. She handled the fourth season launch of FX’s Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning drama series “The Shield.” She also oversaw the campaign for the second season of the award-winning drama “Rescue Me,” starring Denis Leary.

Prior to joining FX, Gibbons was SVP of advertising and promotions at Showtime, where she was responsible for the development and oversight of all of the network’s consumer and trade advertising, and promotions campaigns. Gibbons joined Showtime in August of 1999 as VP of advertising for Showtime networks. She spearheaded many of the company’s breakthrough advertising campaigns, including those for “Queer as Folk” and “The L Word.” She also worked on the launch of SHO NEXT. Previously, Gibbons served as creative director for Red Group, Showtime Networks’ in-house advertising agency, where she was part of the initial team responsible for creating the network’s “No Limits” branding campaign.

Before her stint at Showtime, Gibbons was a creative director for Media General Broadcasting Inc., where she was responsible for all station creative, including image, news, major series, on-air, print and radio promotions for WFLA-TV (NBC) in Tampa. She also guided WCBD-TV (NBC) in Charleston, S.C., in its creative marketing effort through their affiliation switch from ABC to NBC.

Gibbons has also been an independent producer, having written and produced commercials, marketing, sales and public relations tapes for corporations, private businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Gibbons was assistant director of advertising and promotion at WFLA-TV. Before joining WFLA-TV in 1991, Gibbons was promotion producer as well as direct/night production manager, associate director and producer/news promotions producer at WBBH-TV (NBC) in Fort Myers, Fla. Gibbons began her career in 1981 as producer/reporter at WMUB-FM in Oxford, Ohio, where she reported, wrote and produced 10-minute segments for the weekly feature program “Miami Magazine.”

Jon Gieselman

SVP, Marketing, DIRECTV

Jon Gieselman is SVP of marketing for DIRECTV, the world’s largest video provider. In this role, he is responsible for all aspects of DIRECTV’s marketing, including media planning and buying, television, print, online, radio and outdoor creative, publicity, direct marketing, events and sponsorships. The team’s efforts are all directed at acquiring new DIRECTV subscribers and shaping the perception of the brand.

Since joining DIRECTV in 2005, Gieselman and his team have helped profitably grow the business from 14 million customers to nearly 20 million today. The team successfully rebranded DIRECTV as the premier television service in the category, driving significantly higher ARPU; has developed numerous award-winning TV and marketing campaigns; and operates with intense focus on consumer-driven messaging to differentiate DIRECTV in an increasingly competitive category.

Prior to joining DIRECTV, Gieselman was VP of advertising and publicity for Kmart Corporation. He joined Kmart immediately following the retailing giant’s emergence from bankruptcy and was part of the senior turn-around team that quickly returned the mass retailer to sales growth and profitability. His oversight of the company’s marketing efforts included television and print advertising, in-store signage, public relations and investor relations.

Before Kmart, Gieselman was the VP of advertising, PR and brand development for HSN, an operating business unit of Barry Diller’s IAC/InterActiveCorp. Gieselman managed all advertising, publicity, promotions, investor relations and brand development for the fourth-largest cable television network in the US. Under his direction, his team created HSN’s first brand development organization that germinated and managed more than 300 exclusive and private label brands.

Prior to joining HSN, Gieselman was the North American brand manager for Ray-Ban Sunglasses, where he was responsible for all advertising, athlete sponsorships, product placement, promotions and new product launches.

During his tenure, he created and negotiated product placement tie-ins in films such as “Men in Black,” awarded the Movie Promotion of 1997 by “Entertainment Weekly.” He also managed Ray-Ban’s robust sports programs with the PGA, NASCAR and Olympics. Before managing North American marketing, he also held numerous senior-level marketing positions in the US and was manager of Global New Products.

Prior to his work at Ray-Ban, Gieselman was a regional staffer for Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY), where he represented the senator at political events and liaised with Congressional offices, the White House and Federal agencies.

Gieselman was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Achievement in 2008. He is based in DIRECTV’s New York City offices.

Lee Hunt

Principal, Lee Hunt LLC

Lee Hunt is founder of Lee Hunt LLC, a New York-based consultancy focusing on brand strategy, on-air architecture/audience retention, competitive analysis and personnel training for television networks and media companies.

Hunt is a strategist, trainer and curator of best practices. His success in launching and positioning channel brands, as well as his pioneering work in audience management, has set many of the standards for our industry.

Hunt began his career on the client side in the 1980s, launching and branding Lifetime, VH1 and TNT. In the ‘90s he founded one of TV’s most successful creative services agencies, Lee Hunt Associates. In 1999, he sold LHA to the digital services company Razorfish. In 2001 Hunt launched the strategic consultancy, Lee Hunt LLC.

Hunt holds the distinction of working with more television brands around the world than any other strategist. Consequently, his annual round up of New Best Practices at PromaxBDA is considered the “must attend” session of the conference. Hunt is also the author of “Fundamentals of Television Advertising & Promotion” and “Break|Throughs,” the quarterly anthology of innovative advertising and promotion.

Jason Klarman

GM, Oxygen Media

Jason Klarman was named GM of Oxygen Media in January 2008. Klarman manages Oxygen’s brand strategy, consumer and trade marketing, on-air promotion, creative service, publicity and its digital advertising, sales and content. Klarman was responsible for Oxygen’s rebrand, “Live Out Loud,” which broke nearly every ratings record for the network. Prior to Oxygen, Klarman served as EVP of marketing and digital at Bravo, where he re-launched the networks website and led the successful 2005 rebrand of Bravo’s on-air and online look.

Holly Leff-Pressman

EVP/GM, Nielsen Entertainment TV

Holly Leff-Pressman has more than 20 years of professional experience in the TV industry. Leff-Pressman joined Nielsen Entertainment in September 2004 and oversees a custom research group that specializes in program, promo testing, audience analysis and new media analytics. Prior to joining Nielsen Entertainment, Leff-Pressman was SVP of Worldwide PPV and VOD at Universal Studios where she worked for approximately 10 years and created and distributed Universal’s film and television product to pay, PPV and on-demand networks worldwide.

Prior to that, she was executive director of programming for viewer’s choice (now In Demand) and created original programming such as Ultimate Fighting Championship , developed music events such as the second Woodstock and PPV sporting events. She has also worked in the television departments at William Morris, Triad Artists and Interplanetary Productions and was a legal associate at the entertainment law firm, Cooper, Epstein and Hurewitz. Leff-Pressman is an active member of the California State Bar and is involved in industry associations such as CTAM, WICT and Television Academy.

Walter Levitt

EVP, Marketing, Comedy Central

Walter Levitt is EVP of marketing for Comedy Central and is based in the company’s New York City office, reporting to Michele Ganeless, president of Comedy Central. In this role Levitt is a key member of the senior leadership team, overseeing all facets of strategic and creative brand development, consumer marketing and cross-business initiatives.

Levitt came to Comedy Central from Canwest Broadcasting in Canada where he was CMO. At Canwest, Levitt oversaw brand strategy, advertising and promotion, publicity and content distribution for the company’s portfolio of television and digital brands. This included broadcast network Global Television and 19 cable channels including Food Network Canada, History Television, Movietime, National Geographic Canada and Showcase.

One of North America’s top media marketing executives and an acknowledged industry thought leader, Levitt has been widely credited for his strategic and innovative branding and marketing. He is regularly invited to speak at industry conferences in both Canada and the US, has led two organizations to be named “Marketing Magazine’s” “Media Player of the Year,” and in 2008 was featured in a special issue of the magazine as one of the country’s “Top Thought Leaders.” Levitt is also well known for his active involvement in social media including his popular Twitter feed @MediaMktgGuy.

Levitt joined Canwest in 2005 from Alliance Atlantis where, as SVP of marketing and creative services, he was responsible for consumer, trade and affiliate marketing for its 13 cable channels and international television distribution business including the CSI franchise. Before Alliance Atlantis, Levitt worked in marketing roles at the CTV Television Network and at CJEZ-FM in Toronto. A Montreal native, he began his career as an on-air producer at radio station CKGM.

Brian Lowry

Media Columnist/Critic, “Variety”

Brian Lowry has been a media columnist and critic for “Variety” since September 2003. Before that, he spent seven years at the “Los Angeles Times” as a reporter and columnist covering the television industry, which was preceded by a nine-year stint at “Variety.” Lowry has been a contributor to National Public Radio and is the former co-host of "Square Off," a weekly talk program about the television business on TV Guide Network. He also contributes to Foxsports.com, analyzing sports on television, and is the author of two authorized companion guides to the Fox series "The X-Files."

Ari Merkin

VP, Executive Creative Director, Crispin, Porter & Bogusky

In 1993, Ari Merkin began his career as a copywriter, working for advertising legends Roy Grace and Diane Rothschild. Five years later, he moved to Crispin, Porter & Bogusky in Miami where he was a part of many of the agency's early success stories, including the launch of the MINI, the truth Body Bag campaign, and the Grand Prix-winning IKEA Lamp spot.

In 2003, Merkin became executive creative director of Fallon New York where he led the 35-person shop to becoming one of the top 10 most-awarded agencies in the world.

In 2005, Merkin started an agency of his own called Toy – the agency responsible for Elf Yourself, one of the biggest viral campaigns on record. He has won Best of Show honors from The One Show, Cannes, Clio and the Effies.

Merkin was named one of “Ad Age's” 40 Under 40 in 2006 and inducted into the AAF's Hall of Achievement in 2009. He is currently a member of The One Club Board of Directors and is on the committee for the Partnership at Drugfree.org.

Karen Miller

SVP, Worldwide Television Creative Services, Warner Bros. Television Group

Karen Miller has been SVP of worldwide television creative services for the Warner Bros. Television Group since March 2006.

She manages the day-to-day operations of the creative services department, overseeing the conceptualization and design of all print, digital and on-air advertising and promotional materials for the studio's worldwide television marketing, sales and publicity initiatives.

Miller works closely with the studio's internal marketing executives, providing creative counsel on the promotional campaigns for programming produced by Warner Bros. Television, Telepictures Productions and Warner Bros. Animation. Additionally, Miller and her department help guide the creative efforts of the studio's television distribution entities – Warner Bros. International Television Distribution, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution – enhancing their marketing efforts for television series and the pay, cable and broadcast windows of theatrical titles.

A 16-year veteran of the studio, Miller also served as VP of Warner Bros. Television creative services, having been promoted to that position in 2005. Previously, she had been an art director in the Warner Bros. Television creative services department for five years. She joined the studio in 1996 as a graphic designer for Warner Bros. International Television Distribution, serving in that capacity for three years. Before joining the studio, Miller spent more than a decade with Conde Nast Publishing as associate art director for “Architectural Digest” magazine.

In her distinguished career, Miller has been honored with several PromaxBDA Awards, and serves as a member of the PromaxBDA Diversity Council.

Michael Ouweleen

SVP & Group Creative Director, Cartoon Network

Michael Ouweleen is SVP and creative director for Turner Broadcasting Animation. In this capacity, he oversees all on-air promotions, program franchise packaging and sponsored promotions for the network. He also serves as the primary writer/producer of material aimed at establishing Cartoon Network’s distinctive brand identity. Based in Atlanta, Ouweleen reports to Brenda Freeman, CMO for Turner’s Animation Young Adults & Kids Media.

Prior to this position, Ouweleen was SVP of development and programming for Cartoon Network, overseeing the development of current Cartoon Network shows “Ben 10,” “Chowder,” “The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack” and the highest-rated program in network history, the live action movie-of-the-week “Ben 10: Race Against Time.” He also is the co-creator and co-executive producer of one of the first original Adult Swim shows, “Harvey Birdman, Attorney-at-Law.”

Ouweleen joined Cartoon Network in March of 1996 as associate creative director of the on-air department and was promoted to VP and creative director within six months. He and his department wrote and produced animated and live-action short-form material and specials that brought the network significant industry and pop culture buzz, and got Ouweleen named on “Entertainment Weekly’s” “It List” for 2000.

Prior to joining Cartoon Network, Ouweleen worked in advertising in New York and worked on several animated projects.

Kim Rosenblum

EVP, Marketing & Creative, TV Land

Kim Rosenblum is responsible for all TV Land off-channel marketing, including consumer and trade advertising, media planning, consumer products, consumer promotions and ad sales marketing. Rosenblum is also the network’s creative director and oversees TV Land’s on-air and off-air creative as well as sponsor integrations. Most recently, she spearheaded the “Hot in Cleveland” and “Happily Divorced” double marketing campaign, one of the largest marketing campaigns in TV Land’s history.

Rosenblum joined MTVN in 1993 and has served as a creative executive on a number of brands, including TV Land, Nick At Nite and Nickelodeon. Rosenblum has won numerous awards during her tenure at MTVN, including the prestigious EFFIE award, multiple CTAM Awards and PromaxBDA Gold. Prior to joining MTVN, Rosenblum was a producer at ad agencies Y&R and DMB&B. She began her career at MCA-TV on a college fellowship granted by the International Radio and Television Society.

David Shackley

CMO, Discovery Channel

As CMO for the Discovery Channel, David Shackley oversees all marketing and advertising strategy for Discovery Communication's flagship brand, highlighted by a recent network rebrand and the launch of six new series. He oversees all facets of the network’s on-air, digital and print campaigns, promotional relationships, media strategies and partnerships, as well as branded entertainment initiatives across the network.

Previously, Shackley served as SVP of Discovery Communication’s internal creative division, Discovery Creative. There he led a team of more than 125 designers and producers, providing strategy and content for all Discovery US and international networks including Discovery Channel, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Science Channel, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net. In this capacity, Shackley also supervised the company's annual Upfront presentations to advertisers, as well as marketing and creative strategy for the launch of Planet Green, 3net and OWN.

Evan Shapiro

President, Participant Television
Creative Educators Forum Event Co-Chair

Evan Shapiro is the president of Participant Television, a division of Participant Media. Previously, Shapiro served as president of IFC and Sundance Channel where he executive produced well-received films and series, including “This Film Is Not Yet Rated,” the Peabody Award-winning “Brick City” and the Peabody Award-winning show “Portlandia.” Shapiro is on the Board of The Ghetto Film School and a Professor of Television Management at NYU's Stern School of Business.

Michael Smith

GM, Cooking Channel

Michael Smith was named GM of Scripps Networks’ new Cooking Channel in October 2009. He oversees the creation, integration, programming and marketing of the new brand, which launched May 2010 to 58 million homes, one of the largest new channel launches in history.

Smith joined Cooking Channel from Scripps-owned Food Network where, as SVP of marketing, creative and brand strategy, he led the network’s consumer marketing, advertising, media planning, creative services, on-air promotion and public relations activities.

He arrived at Food Network in 1998 and previously served as VP of creative services, VP of on-air strategy and creative services, and SVP of marketing and creative services.

The work produced by the Food Network brand marketing and creative team won several industry awards, and in 2003, Smith received a Brand Builder Award from PromaxBDA, “Broadcasting & Cable” and “Multichannel News.” Each year since 2007, he has been named one of the Top 50 Most Influential Minorities in Cable by “CableFAX” magazine. In 2010, he was named on the 100 most influential Blacks in Corporate America by “Savoy” Magazine.

Before Food Network, Smith worked for Disney/ABC Cable Networks from 1990 to 1998 in a variety of sales, marketing and programming roles, both domestically and in Asia, eventually rising to executive director of on-air promotion for Disney Channel.

From 1988 to 1990 Smith worked for the CBS Television Network in affiliate relations. He began his media career in 1986 as an account executive at Young & Rubicam Advertising.

Amy Winter

GM, TLC

As general manager, Amy Winter oversees all aspects of programming, production, development, new media and marketing for TLC. Under her leadership, the network continues to be known for its own brand of buzz-worthy programming, including the hit series “Say Yes To The Dress,” “Extreme Couponing,” “Sister Wives” and “Toddlers & Tiaras.”

Since assuming this position in February 2011, TLC has premiered high-profile new series including “All-American Muslim,” “Long Island Medium,” “New York Ink” and “Say Yes To The Dress: Bridesmaids,” and has brought back fan favorites including “Next Great Baker,” “Hoarding: Buried Alive” and “My Strange Addiction.” Upcoming projects that she has spearheaded include “My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding,” “Leave It To Niecy” and “On The Fly,” a series with Southwest Airlines.

Winter’s passion for television stems from her childhood watching “Little House on the Prairie,” where she developed a love for characters and storytelling. She began her career as a freelance promotion producer at TBS in 1994, where she stayed until 2005, becoming creative director/VP of on-air promotion. While at TBS, Winter led creative direction over all marketing and brand initiatives, was instrumental in the network’s “Very Funny” rebranding and created the successful “Movie and a Makeover” franchise.

Winter left Turner in 2005, joining the Discovery family as TLC’s VP of Creative. Under her creative and brand leadership, TLC saw an unprecedented growth in ratings. Her ability to think logically and execute artistically were quickly noted, and co-workers affectionately referred to her as “Nights and Weekends” because of her hard work and dedication. In 2008 Winter took on the marketing creative lead on the brand launch of Discovery’s new network Planet Green, which “The New York Times” called “the highest-profile cable channel introduction of the year.” After that successful launch, Winter returned to TLC as SVP of marketing, helping the network firmly cement hits like “Jon & Kate Plus 8” and “19 Kids And Counting” while launching new successful series such as “Cake Boss,” “Four Weddings” and “Sarah Palin’s Alaska.”

CableFAX named Winter one of the Most Powerful Women in Cable in 2011, and Cable Marketer of the Year in 2010.

Lucas Aragon

VP, Design, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network

Within the last decade, Lucas Aragon has cemented himself as a creative leader in the broadcast design industry, leaving his thumbprint on some of the largest promotions and series launches in the television industry. Currently, he is working as the VP of Design for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, which he has been with since the fall of 2009. Lucas most recently worked as a Creative Director for Engine Room after working as VP of Design for Lifetime Television. He spent four years as the Design Director of Entertainment Marketing for ABC. While there, he developed the on-air marketing campaigns for Desperate Housewives, Lost, Grey’s Anatomy, Dancing with the Stars and Ugly Betty, to name a few. Prior to ABC he worked on the launch of National Geographic Channel in 2001 and was there for four years. Prior to the start of his career, Lucas studied Graphic Design and Television Production at Eastern New Mexico University, and worked for NBC affiliates WRC, WHDH & WESH, and FOX affiliate KDFW. Lucas currently lives in Los Angeles and, in his free time, loves to travel to the far ends of the earth.

Bill Bergofin

SVP, Marketing & Promotion, Versus/NBC Sports Agency

Throughout his 18-year career in the sports marketing industry, Bill Bergofin has been blazing his own path by combining creativity and unconventional thinking with the power of sport and passion of fans into every strategy he implements. His philosophy didn’t change when he jumped on the opportunity to join OLN in July 2006 as SVP of marketing and promotions to rebrand the network to Versus and help change the face of national sports television. A key member of Versus’ executive team, Bergofin is charged with driving creative thinking, marketing strategies and advertising for the network. In addition, he also oversees the network’s creative services department, which continually produces award-winning and critically acclaimed campaigns, communications, affiliate marketing, media planning, graphic design, promotions and events for the network.

Bergofin joined the network from Shepardson, Stern & Kaminsky, a New York agency known for its smart thinking and creative solutions, where he served as VP of marketing, directing all aspects of strategic marketing consulting, advertising and promotion for several top clients including Time Warner Cable. Prior to SS+K, he was the VP of marketing at Fox Sports, where he was responsible for national consumer marketing and promotions for Fox Sports broadcast properties (NFL, NASCAR, MLB) in addition to directing consumer marketing, advertising and promotion for Fox Sports Net, and previously with the National Football League working in their Fan Development group.

Chris Donovan

SVP, Creative, On Air & Online, The CW Network

Chris Donovan is the award-winning SVP for the creative and special projects department at The CW Television Network, where he oversees the network's on-air creative team and overall on-air environment and direction. He was instrumental in the initial launch of The CW as well as on-going episodic promotion for series such as "Gossip Girl," "90210," "America's Next Top Model," "Smallville" and "Supernatural."

John Ruppenthal

Senior Creative Director, PBS

John Ruppenthal is an Emmy-winning creative director who is recognized as a leader in content branding and advertising. He is the director of PBS’ in-house creative agency responsible for overseeing all national PBS promotion and branding campaigns. John has won three Emmy Awards – including two for Best Commercial and one for Best Promotional Announcement – over 50 PromaxBDA Awards including the prestigious Judges Choice Award, two Telly Awards, Cine and Effie honors, and a New York Film Festival Award.

Connor Swegle

Executive Producer, Troika

Bio coming soon.

Joe Tamanini

VP, Studio City

Joe Tamanini joined the Emmy award-winning Studio City in the fall of 2003 and achieved meteoric success. After starting with the company as a production intern, Tamanini quickly rose through the ranks, serving as producer/editor, head of creative development and creative director. He is now VP of Studio City.

During his tenure, Tamanini has spearheaded the creative pitches and creative direction that has secured Studio City such accounts as NBC’s 2012 Summer Olympic Campaign, NBC’s 2010 Winter Olympic Campaign, “Live! With Kelly,” “Criminal Minds,” “Burn Notice,” “The King of Queens,” “White Collar,” “Anderson,” “Ellen,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “American Chopper,” “Star Trek,” “South Park” and more. His creative strategy as well as his ability to guide the creative process has been instrumental in the success of Studio City.

Part entrepreneur, part visionary, he takes large, out-of-the box creative ideas and helps refine the messaging to the client’s needs, all the while creating award-winning campaigns and spots. Tamanini’s ability to create compelling marketing strategies, brand messaging and visual style while keeping clients comfortable with creative decision-making has played an intricate role in his quick rise to VP.

During his career, Tamanini has won multiple PromaxBDA North America Gold and World Gold awards and has been a two-time PromaxBDA Rocket Award finalist. 

Jakob Trollback

President & Executive Creative Director, Trollback + Co.

Bio coming soon.

Garson Yu

Founder & Creative Director , yU+co

Bio coming soon.

Robert Gottlieb

SVP/Group Creative Director, Fox Sports Media Group

Robert Gottlieb has been the chief creative executive in the Fox Sports Media Group marketing department since March 2004, when he was named VP/creative director of on-air promotions for Fox Sports and FSN. He currently holds the position of SVP/group creative director of Fox Sports Media Group.

Gottlieb is responsible for all the video marketing assets for Fox Sports, as well as conceiving and producing campaigns and providing creative support for Fox Soccer, Fox Deportes, Fuel TV, Speed, Big Ten Network, FoxSports.com and FSN.

Gottlieb’s in-house group has become widely recognized for creative excellence and won scores of industry awards, including “Spot of the Year” at the 2010 Sports Media Marketing Awards, sweeps of the on-air categories at the Sports Emmy Awards in 2009 and 2011, and more than 90 PromaxBDA Awards since 2004, including the inaugural “Marketing Team Of the Year” Gold in 2011.

Gottlieb serves on the board of PromaxBDA and is a founding member and awards committee chair for the Sports Media Marketing Awards.

Roger Hyde

SVP, Creative Services & Brand Integrity, DIRECTV
Awards Committee Chair

Roger Hyde began his career in broadcasting after graduating with distinction from Film School in Pretoria, South Africa.

He began developing his skills as a film editor of non-fiction projects for the state-owned National Television Broadcaster.

After transitioning as an advertising agency producer with Young & Rubicam, he launched himself as a writer/director of television commercials throughout the European community, working in more than eight countries on local and multi-national brands.

After immigrating to the United States in 1994 he continued to freelance as a director and editor of commercials with representation by production companies on three continents, while producing an award-winning, feature-length documentary: “Queen of the Whole Wide World”, which premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival before being shown at over 30 film festivals around the world.

He joined DIRECTV in 2001 and helped transform the fledgling creative services division into a full-service, in-house agency, production company and post-production facility, to help grow the various revenue-driving areas for all 19+ million subscribers of the nations premier satellite provider in addition to developing and executing a competitive brand strategy.

While pursuing his current-customer responsibilities, in 2009 Hyde opened an in-house print creative group for DIRECTV in New York, to produce advertising for acquisitions and direct marketing to drive new subscribers to the platform. He also helms the corporation’s brand integrity and user-interface, interactive app and mobile app design groups.

His cumulative body of work has garnered more than 200 local and international awards, and has been showcased in festivals throughout the globe.

An active member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Hyde is on a number of Primetime judging panels for the annual Emmy Awards.

Niels Schuurmans

EVP, Marketing & Creative, SPIKE
Membership Committee Chair

Niels is a graduate of Boston University and has been in promotion and marketing for over 19 years.

He spent 13 years at Nickelodeon as a promotions writer/producer, world wide creative director, and SVP Creative of Nickelodeon/Nick At Nite in the US.

He worked at Cartoon Network as the first Head Of On-Air Promotion before moving to overseas to launch Nickelodeon in Australia, throughout Asia and Europe. He headed up Creative and Marketing for Nickelodeon in the UK before returning to the United States to helm creative at Nickelodeon domestically.

Most recently he built the SPIKE brand as the EVP Marketing and Executive Creative Director.

Niels has won numerous promotions and marketing awards (including being named to Electronic Media’s Top Ten Marketers in the Entertainment Industry).