Erin Calhoun, EVP, Communications, Showtime Networks & Paramount Tv Studios, has been appointed to a brand new function as EVP, Communications, Paramount Streaming and Cross-Firm Publicity.
The promotion comes on the heels of Paramount International’s announcement yesterday that Showtime is being built-in into Paramount+, with the linear cable community getting renamed as Paramount+ with Showtime.
As a part of the change, SVP Susan Lundgren is leaving after a decade. Lundgren got here via CBS Interactive and later grew to become SVP Communications for ViacomCBS Streaming.
The promotion of Calhoun, a seasoned communications government who brings a long time of expertise to the function, is the primary of what’s anticipated to be a slew of adjustments within the Showtime government ranks on account of the mixing with Paramount+, together with reassignments, voluntary departures and layoffs.
There can be additional consolidation of Paramount’s streaming communications groups from Paramount+, Pluto TV and Showtime underneath Calhoun, who will report back to Tom Ryan, President and CEO of Paramount Streaming. She additionally will collaborate carefully with Chris McCarthy and his group in his function overseeing Showtime. In her cross-company publicity capability, Calhoun will report back to Justin Dini, EVP, Head of Company Communications.
“Paramount is residence to a group of world-class communications professionals that commonly produce superb outcomes on behalf of the corporate’s portfolio of main manufacturers,” Dini mentioned. “This new perform will assist set up and speed up our efforts to behave as ‘one Paramount’ throughout the worldwide communications perform as we more and more work collectively extra seamlessly and routinely in assist of the corporate’s largest priorities.”
Calhoun joined Showtime in 2017 and was named EVP Communications in 2020, reporting to Showtime Chairman and CEO David Nevins. She subsequently added oversight of communications for Paramount TV Studios when the studio was added to Nevins’ portfolio. Following Nevins’ departure final fall, PTVS was shifted to George Cheeks’ purview.
Calhoun got here to Showtime from NBCUniversal Cable Leisure, the place she served as VP of Company Communications, managing commerce and enterprise methods and inside communications for USA Community and Syfy. Previous to becoming a member of NBC, Calhoun labored for six years at Discovery Communications as Vice President of Communications.
Beforehand, Calhoun spent 10 years as an unbiased advisor for varied purchasers together with TNT, TBS, Disney Channel, Discovery and GSN (Sport Present Community). Earlier than that, Calhoun labored at TNT for 3 years as a Unit Publicist and Press Mission Supervisor, overseeing unit publicity for TNT unique movies. Calhoun started her profession at The Immediately Present as a Expertise Coordinator.
“As a few of you recognize, Erin has been a passionate advocate for Paramount and Showtime, main the event and execution of strategic communications packages which have elevated and distinguished our unique programming and artistic capabilities in a crowded panorama,” Ryan mentioned in an organization memo saying Calhoun’s promotion. “Her deep trade information, robust media relationships, eager instincts and flexibility have made her an important accomplice in telling our story to inside and exterior audiences alike.”
Ryan additionally acknowledged Lundgren.
“I’d prefer to thank Susan for her contributions throughout her time on the firm, the place she helped oversee communications efforts for not solely CBS All-Entry after it launched, however the extremely profitable rebranding and launch of Paramount+ during the last two years,” he mentioned. “Susan’s work, together with that of your entire streaming communications group, have been integral to creating Paramount+ one of many fastest-growing streaming providers within the trade.”
