awards / past

Peter Liguori

Former Chair, Fox Broadcasting; Former COO, Discovery Communications

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, Fox Movie Channel and most recently, the channel launch of the FX Movie Channel programming block, to coincide with FMC’s Emmy Award winning programming. Gibbons also oversees off-network and cross-channel platform marketing initiatives for FX, FMC and FXM 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 200 PromaxBDA Awards since 2006. Gibbons and her team were honored with the PromaxBDA Award for In-House Marketing Team of the Year in 2011 and 2012. They also received the PromaxBDA Award for Design Team of the Year in 2012.

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 award-winning hit miniseries “American Horror Story,” and the hit comedy series “Wilfred,” which was the highest-rated first season of any FX comedy. In 2012, Gibbons also spearheaded the campaign of FX’s most recent comedy launch, “Anger Management,” which set a new record as the most-watched scripted comedy series premiere in cable history. 

Gibbons has produced iconic marketing campaigns for the Golden Globe-winning drama “Sons of Anarchy,” Emmy Award winner “Justified,” Emmy and Golden Globe winner “Damages” and “Rescue Me.” Gibbons’s efforts on the FX comedy front include critically lauded campaigns for the acclaimed hit “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Louie,” “Archer” as well as “Brand X with Russell Brand,” “Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell” and “The League.”

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. 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. 

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 “FoxForward,” 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 led 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. 

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. 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. 

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 is 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. Prior to joining the studio, Miller spent more than a decade with Condé 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

Former 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.