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WHO
WE ARE
The Global Entertainment Marketing Academy of Arts & Sciences is home to the creative and strategic minds driving the industry forward. With a worldwide network, we empower, celebrate excellence, and preserve the enduring significance of marketing creativity and strategy in the ever-evolving world of entertainment, from TV/Streaming, Video Games, Sports, Music, to Film. Our mission is to honor marketing and creative excellence, nurture growth and inclusivity among industry professionals, and enrich our cultural landscape.
Community can’t be scripted — but it can be thoughtfully designed. We’re a global collective of marketers and creatives united by a shared desire to innovate, captivate, and inspire. GEMA is a place to launch your career, hone your craft, and share your knowledge of an ever-evolving landscape. Join us to connect with the people and ideas that shape not just your future, but the future of entertainment marketing.
Innovation is the driving force behind the world’s greatest entertainment marketing. That’s why GEMA is evolving with a greater focus on empowering our members to achieve new heights in their careers, making this more than a place to gather and celebrate. This is a stage to reconnect, rejuvenate, and uncover the inspiration that moves our industry forward.
mission
network
vision
Executive
Committee
Committee
The Executive Committee serves as a pivotal link between the Board of Directors and the organization's day-to-day operations. This dedicated group not only advises and prioritizes issues but also offers invaluable guidance and oversight. Their involvement is instrumental in steering the organization towards success while ensuring that all decisions made align harmoniously with the GEMA mission, vision, and strategic objectives.
Linnea Hemenez
Co-Chair
Former SVP, International Marketing - Formerly Starz
Scott Edwards
Co-Chair
EVP, Head of Creative Advertising - FOX Entertainment
Kendrick Reid
Treasurer
Former SVP, Executive Creative Director, Brand Strategy, BET Media Group - BET Media Group, A Division of Paramount Global
Stacy La Cotera
President & CEO
The Global Entertainment Marketing Academy of Arts & Sciences
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS
Our vision and values serve as the guiding principles behind every action we take. That's why our Board of Directors hold a central position in guaranteeing that every executive decision aligns seamlessly with our shared mission: to foster creativity, honor excellence, and shape the future of entertainment marketing. They chart the course for a sustainable future.
Mary Beck
Board Member
CMO
Big Ten Conference
Melissa Bell
Board Member
EVP, Global Marketing
Warner Bros. Games
Stephen Bruno
Board Member
VP, Film Marketing
Amazon MGM Studios
Amanda Butler
Board Member
Head of Music Marketing
Netflix
Rishi Chadha
Board Member
Head of Scaled Partnerships
Meta, Reality Labs
Pia Chaozon Barlow
Board Member
EVP, Originals Marketing, HBO & Max
Warner Bros. Discovery
Sundance DiGiovanni
Board Member
Formerly Chief Innovation Officer
Formerly ESL FACEIT Group
Matt Edelman
Board Member
CEO
Super League Enterprise, Inc.
John Ford
Board Member
Head of Creative - EMEA PDP
Netflix
Kathryn Kai-ling Frederick
Board Member
CMO
Los Angeles Rams
Aaron Goldman
Board Member
EVP, Creative Marketing Disney Entertainment Television
The Walt Disney Company
Barrie Gruner
Board Member
EVP, Marketing & Publicity
Hulu
Kenya Hardaway
Board Member
SVP, Integrated Promotions
FX Networks
Matt Hernandez
Board Member
SVP, Head of Design, Paramount Streaming
Paramount
Michele Kajiwara
Board Member
SVP, Premium Business
AEG/Crypto.com Arena
Nicole Kankam
Board Member
Managing Director, Pro Tennis Marketing & Entertainment
USTA
John Kirkpatrick
Board Member
SVP, Brand Partnerships
Epic Records
Chris Kramer
Board Member
VP, Public Relations and Influencer
Off Base Productions
Todd Lichten
Board Member
Head of Entertainment Partnerships
Roblox
Andrea Murphy
Board Member
VP, Marketing
Vinik Sports Group and the Tampa Bay Lightning
Kjetil Njoten
Board Member
Global Head of Creative
IMAX
Riley Sexton
Board Member
VP, Broadcast Distribution & Marketing
FOX Corporation
Lyndsay Signor
Board Member
SVP, Consumer Engagement
NBC Sports
Remi Sklar
Board Member
SVP, Worldwide Communications & Public Relations
Warner Bros. Games
Josh Veilleux
Board Member
SVP, Global Partnerships, AEG Sports
AEG
Shannon Willett
Board Member
Global Head of Marketing
Apple TV+
HONORARY BOARD OF ADVISORS
The Honorary Board of Advisors for GEMA is composed of distinguished industry leaders, former board members, and dedicated supporters who are passionate about championing the entertainment marketing industry. These esteemed individuals recognize the crucial role and mission of GEMA and offer invaluable guidance and expertise.
Serving in an advisory capacity, they support the Academy's commitment to innovation and excellence in entertainment marketing. Together, they help build a thriving organization dedicated to nurturing the next generation of marketers and creatives.
Serving in an advisory capacity, they support the Academy's commitment to innovation and excellence in entertainment marketing. Together, they help build a thriving organization dedicated to nurturing the next generation of marketers and creatives.
Joe Earley
President, Direct-to-Consumer
Disney Entertainment
Stephanie Gibbons
President, Creative, Strategy & Digital, FX Multi-Platform Marketing
FX Networks
Robert Gottlieb
President, Marketing
FOX Sports
Rick Lewchuk
Head Coach
Film At 11 Marketing
Niels Schuurmans
Chief Marketing Officer
101 Studios
Jennifer Storms
Chief Marketing Officer, Entertainment & Sports
NBCUniversal
Denny Tu
Former Global Chief Marketing Officer
Formerly IMAX Corporation
AGENCY
ADVISORY
COUNCIL
ADVISORY
COUNCIL
Agencies are a vital part of the entertainment marketing and creative ecosystem.
The GEMA Agency Advisory Council is made up of senior agency leaders who bring a direct line to the work, ensuring we’re not guessing at what agencies need to grow and thrive, but shaping our approach and programming alongside the people living it every day. Their perspective informs how we show up for the community, reflecting the realities of the industry today while creating meaningful opportunities for growth, connection, and stronger businesses.
They are not only contributors to GEMA, but active champions of the industry, invested in the success of their clients, the strength of agencies, and the continued evolution of the work.
The GEMA Agency Advisory Council is made up of senior agency leaders who bring a direct line to the work, ensuring we’re not guessing at what agencies need to grow and thrive, but shaping our approach and programming alongside the people living it every day. Their perspective informs how we show up for the community, reflecting the realities of the industry today while creating meaningful opportunities for growth, connection, and stronger businesses.
They are not only contributors to GEMA, but active champions of the industry, invested in the success of their clients, the strength of agencies, and the continued evolution of the work.
Pedro Blanco
President & CEO
Blanco-Lorenz
Robert Blatchford
Co-President
Compadre
Noelle Cooke
President
The Arterie
Jason Covey
EVP, Head of Gaming & Strategic Partnerships
UNFOLD
Diana Dixon
Founder and Chief Executive Creative Director
DixonCo
Freddie Georges
Founder and CEO
FG|PG
Kenny Gravillis
CEO + Chief Creative Officer
Gravillis
Nathaniel Howe
Founder
Nathaniel Howe Studios
Brett Lang
VP of Client Partnerships
Mocean
Brett Richards
Chief Creative Officer
Brokendoll
Ricardo Roberts
Executive Producer
BIEN
Geonni Sigl
CEO + Founder
Onni Creative
STAFF
Meet the team that turns ideas into reality. Our committed staff plays a crucial role in supporting the board, its committees, and its task forces. We turn board policy, and strategic direction, into actionable steps that foster community, creativity and honors excellence. While we may be a small team, our dedication shines as we show up each day for our valued members.
Stacy La Cotera
President & CEO
stacy@gema.org
Paige Albiniak
Director, Editorial
paige@gema.org
Hannah Auslander
Associate Manager, Awards Process Management
hannah@gema.org
Mikaela Barocio
Coordinator, Awards
mikaela.barocio@gema.org
Ron Casa
Director, Finance & Business Affairs
ron@gema.org
Megan Doughty
Sr. Manager, Creative Marketing
megan@gema.org
Nichole Harris
Executive Administrator & Member Services
nichole@gema.org
Kayla Karlsson
Director, Content & Communication
kayla@gema.org
Paul K. Lee
Sr. Director, Brand & Global Industry initiative
paul@gema.org
Sergio Ortega
Director, Europe Industry Relations & Executive Producer of Content
sergio@gema.org
Angie Panelo
Director, Latin America & U.S. Hispanic Relations
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Chris Pursell
VP, Strategic Alliances
chris@gema.org
Kayla Ramirez
Producer, Events & Member Services
kayla.ramirez@gema.org
Eileen Rasnake
Director, Awards Process & Program Operations
eileen@gema.org
Wolfgang Thiele
Controller
wolfgang@gema.org
Da Shiek Woodard
General Manager, Operations & Member Services
dashiek@gema.orgREGIONAL
PARTNERS & ADVISORS
PARTNERS & ADVISORS
GEMA’s Regional Partners & Advisors are leaders embedded in the markets, cultures, and creative communities shaping entertainment marketing around the world. This group includes both operating partners leading GEMA-aligned activity in their markets and trusted advisors who contribute their time and expertise in support of the organization’s mission.
They represent GEMA within their regions, extending our presence globally while ensuring we stay connected to the realities of the work across different markets.
Through their perspective and relationships, they bring regional insight into the broader GEMA community, strengthening how we engage the industry worldwide.
They represent GEMA within their regions, extending our presence globally while ensuring we stay connected to the realities of the work across different markets.
Through their perspective and relationships, they bring regional insight into the broader GEMA community, strengthening how we engage the industry worldwide.
Andy Chua
Director of Industry Relations, Asia
GEMA
Bart Hendrikx
Industry Partnerships Advisor, Europe
GEMA
Tim Hughes
Director of Industry Relations, UK
GEMA
Sergio Ortega
Advisor, Europe
GEMA
Angie Panelo
Director of Industry Relations, Latin America & US Hispanic
GEMA
Vanessa Sheldrick
Director of Industry Relations, ANZ / Africa
GEMA
Our History
Our industry isn’t static, and neither are we. Journey through the rich history of GEMA, rooted in the dynamic world of entertainment marketing.
How It Began:
The organization's origins can be traced back to 1956 when a group of visionary sales and promotion managers, gathered for lunch at the Kungsholm Restaurant in Chicago. During this meeting, they conceived the idea of establishing a professional promotion association to address the emerging needs of the broadcast promotion and marketing industry. This gathering led to the formation of the Broadcast Promotion Association (BPA).
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the BPA was to provide a platform for professionals in the entertainment marketing and promotion field to collaborate and share knowledge. In their first letter to their peers around the United States, they expressed the desire for an organization that would allow members to learn from each other about various aspects of the industry, including ratings, audience engagement, promotion strategies, merchandising, and other related challenges. They believed that such an organization would benefit everyone involved in the field.
Transformation:
Over time, BPA underwent remarkable transformation. This evolution included its official status as a nonprofit 501(c)(6), the development of award competitions to honor and celebrate outstanding work, an expansion of its international reach, and the eventual transition into the Promotion Marketing Executives, Broadcast Design Association, better known as PromaxBDA. This pivotal shift marked the integration of strategic and design marketing and solidified its reputation as a prominent global association dedicated to professionals in the realm of entertainment marketing.
Today:
Today, we proudly embrace the name, The Global Entertainment Marketing Academy of Arts & Sciences (GEMA), as our own. Within our organization resides a community of the most imaginative and strategic marketing experts in the entertainment field. Our identity is more than just a label, it embodies the significance of our members' work— at our core we are a platform that celebrates the art and science of marketing – a wonderful convergence of data analytics and insights into human behavior with compelling storytelling and design. It stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to celebrating the wide array of creativity, innovation, and brilliance that defines global entertainment marketing. This commitment now home to the achievements in Film, Music, Video Games, Sports and beyond!
