The Television Academy announced today that it has hired Heather Cochran to serve as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Business Operations. The announcement was made by Television Academy Chairman and CEO Bruce Rosenblum. Cochran joins the Television Academy as current CFO Frank Kohler, who has been with the Academy for 11 years, has decided to transition into a consulting role.
In addition to her role as CFO, Cochran will also oversee all business operations for the Television Academy. She is joining the Academy at a significant time as the organization is well underway on several major initiatives including a new media center and endowment campaign, for which Cochran will serve as senior strategist. Cochran was most recently at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences where she served as Managing Director, Planning and Operations for their museum project.
Kohler will stay with the Academy in a new consultancy role, taking part in logistics and planning for the Primetime Emmy Awards on August 25th as well as other special projects.
"On behalf of the Academy, I would like to thank Frank for his years of service and dedication which have placed our organization in a position of exceptional financial health and stability," said Rosenblum.
Rosenblum added, "We look forward to working with Heather as she brings a vision and skill set that perfectly align with the transformative direction of the Television Academy."
In her role at the Motion Picture Academy, Cochran has overseen much of the planning and development of the Academy's $300 million museum including strategic communications, community and government outreach, economic feasibility, financial modeling and sustainability. Additionally, Cochran was responsible for developing strategic partnerships and administering operating and capital budgets associated with both the Academy and museum project.
Prior to the Academy, Cochran was Director of Business Development, Entertainment, Communications and Media for Reed Business Information and Variety.com and Manager of Business Strategy for Oxygen Media's story-based social enterprise venture "Women's Hands."
Alongside her corporate jobs, Cochran also serves as the Board Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Additionally, Cochran is an accomplished writer having published the novels "Mean Season" and "The Return of Jonah Gray." She was also a producer on the Fine Living Network series "Born American" and wrote the Wharton Business School lecture "Educating the Idiot Box: The Convergence of the Internet, Television, and Wireless Devices."
About The Television Academy
The Television Academy seeks to expand the horizons of television excellence. It strives to empower the storytellers who shape the evolving television space through the programs, publications and events of the Academy and its Foundation. And it celebrates those who have led excellence by recording their stories and recognizing their achievements through accolades and awards, including television's most coveted prize, the Primetime Emmy® Award. For more information, please visit TelevisionAcademy.com
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Television Academy Hires Heather Cochran As New CFO/EVP Business Operations
Cochran will also serve as a Senior Strategist for new Academy campaign
