Executives Phil Kubel and Alicia Rock have taken on expanded roles at the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA). James Blevins has joined the HPA board of directors, and new chairs have been announced for HPA committees.
Kubel has been elevated to executive director of HPA from director, the post he assumed in 2019. Rock, formerly manager of events, has been named director, operations & events. Rock joined HPA in 2007. Director of business development and corporate member relations Joyce Cataldo rounds out the executive team.
HPA president Seth Hallen noted, “It is an incredibly exciting time at HPA, full of growth, challenge and opportunity. The vibrance we are seeing is a credit to the hard work and vision of the people who have contributed so much to the organization: our staff, our board, and our volunteers. During Phil’s tenure, which saw the pandemic and its impact, we’ve seen enormous growth while preserving the close sense of community that is so important to HPA’s members. Through Joyce’s careful cultivation, as well as remarkable participation in our events we’ve seen our most significant increase in membership and event sponsorships. Phil is an indefatigable team leader for HPA.”
Of Rock, Hallen continued, “Alicia has long been HPA’s backbone, providing an informed, critical viewpoint and flawless execution that bring our big ideas into the world. Her work and talent are outstanding, and her new role well earned. I look forward to seeing what she has planned for HPA!”
Industry veteran James Blevins has been named to the HPA board of directors. An active member of the HPA community, he serves as co-chair of the NET committee and was co-chair of this year’s Innovation Zone at the HPA Tech Retreat. Hallen said, “The HPA Board demands a level of commitment and care that is well beyond significant, and only the most intrepid and engaged are invited. James is so passionate about our industry and community and has surpassed that commitment again and again. He generously shares his time, knowledge and talents. We’re so fortunate that he has agreed to join the board, bringing his unique blend of enthusiasm and expertise to our endeavors.”
Blevins (Valid Essence) joins current board members Hallen (LightIron), president; Chuck Parker (Sohonet), VP; Bill Roberts (Panavision), treasurer; Leon Silverman (Strategic Perspective Consulting), past president; Wendy Aylsworth (Walden Pond), secretary; Paul Chapman (Picture Shop); Mark Chiolis (Mobile TV Group); Craig German (Amazon Studios); senior industry executive Kari Grubin; Renard Jenkins (WarnerMedia); Loren Nielsen (Xperi); Phil Squyres (Sony Pictures Television); and Joachim Zell (Barco).
New and returning HPA committee chairs for 2022 are as follows:
- ALL: Kari Grubin, Renard Jenkins, and Loren Nielsen
- NET (Networking Education Technology): James Blevins and Lina Sanchez
- Women in Post: Payton List and Belinda Merritt
- YEP (Young Entertainment Professionals): Nikki Jee, Tahirah Foy, and Lina Sanchez
- HPA Awards: Christine Purse
Hallen concluded, “In keeping with HPA’s focus on recognition, I’m thrilled to recognize the contributions Phil and Alicia have made to our success and honor the great work of our volunteers. These individuals guide our future and light our way.”
ABC will air 6 additional “Monday Night Football” games starting this week with Bills-Jets
ABC will simulcast six more ESPN "Monday Night Football" games, including Monday's AFC East matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets.
The addition of the six games means ABC will air 17 this season — 14 simulcasts with ESPN (including two playoff games) and three games exclusively on ABC.
The decision to simulcast more games was a joint decision between the NFL and Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC and ESPN.
The other added games are Baltimore at Tampa Bay (Oct. 21), Tampa Bay at Kansas City (Nov. 4), Houston at Dallas (Nov. 18), Baltimore at Los Angeles Chargers (Nov. 25) and New Orleans at Green Bay (Dec. 23).
The only two Mondays the rest of the regular season where ABC will not have a game are Nov. 11 and Dec. 2.
ABC had games all 18 weeks last season due to an agreement with the NFL since there was no new original fall programming due to the Hollywood writers and actors strikes. With more games on network television, "Monday Night Football" averaged 17.36 million viewers across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, a 29% increase over 2022.
It was the best audience numbers for the league's seminal prime-time package since 2000. The Super Bowl 57 rematch between Philadelphia and Kansas City averaged 29.03 million.
Coming into the season, ABC had eight scheduled simulcasts, including two Saturday Week 18 games and two playoff games, and three exclusive MNF games when there were doubleheaders.
It also continues Disney's move toward putting more sports programming back on ABC. Super Bowl 61 from Los Angeles in 2027 will be on the network and the College Football Playoff championship game will also move to ABC the same year.
More games on ABC will also boost the ratings. Kansas City's 26-13 victory... Read More