Ann Boyd Joins Participant Media In New Role As Executive Vice President, Communications

Ann Boyd Joins Participant Media In New Role As Executive Vice President, Communications

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Participant

LOS ANGELES (January 7, 2014) –Ann Boyd is joining Participant Media as Executive Vice President, Communications, it was announced today by Participant CEO Jim Berk. In this newly-created position, Boyd will be responsible for overseeing the communications strategy and operations across Participant’s media portfolio, including its film and documentary division; new television network, Pivot; and digital lifestyle brand, TakePart. She will report directly to Berk.

Berk said, “Ann is a highly respected communications professional with experience leading digital and traditional entertainment companies and global brands. As Participant expands both globally and into new media, Ann will lead a multi-platform communications group charged with increasing the visibility of our content and reach of our social impact. ”

Boyd most recently served as Executive Vice President, Global Communications at Sony Pictures Entertainment, where she managed the company’s corporate communications and social responsibility teams, which handle global media and employee communications; crisis management; social media; corporate marketing; as well as philanthropy and volunteerism. She was also a studio representative for the industry’s Motion Picture Association (MPAA) and Creative America Coalition.

Boyd joined Sony Pictures as Vice President of Global Communications in 2008 and helped lead corporate media relations for the company, in particular raising awareness for Sony Pictures’ environmental sustainability and technology initiatives. She served as Chair of the PR Sub-Committee of the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (DECE) leading up to the U.S. launch of the UltraViolet.

Before joining Sony, Boyd served as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Fox Interactive Media, which included online properties such as MySpace, IGN and Rotten Tomatoes, where she helped build the PR function from the ground up. Prior to that, she worked for AOL, where she led music and entertainment communications and promoted the launch of several of the first legitimate online music offerings and historic events such as “Live 8.”

Boyd began her career in communications at Waggener Edstrom Worldwide working on the Microsoft account and conducting media and analyst relations’ efforts for technology products ranging from server software to the first eBooks.

In June of 2012, Boyd was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles serving the Los Angeles Public Library system, and is working with the Ashoka U.S. to build out its Los Angeles network.

About Participant Media
Participant (http://www.participantmedia.com) is a global entertainment company founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll to focus on feature film, television, publishing and digital content that inspire social change. Participant’s more than 40 films include Good Night, And Good Luck, Syriana, An Inconvenient Truth, Food, Inc., Waiting For Superman, The Help, Contagion and Lincoln. Through its films, social action campaigns, digital network TakePart.com and Pivot, its new television network for Millennials, Participant seeks to entertain, encourage and empower every individual to take action.