David Ford

Spearheaded all external/internal communications for Univision’s English-language subsidiary, which included a collection of pioneering digital properties with a reach of over 120 million readers a month—Deadspin, Gizmodo, Jezebel, The Onion, The A.V. Club, Jalopnik, Lifehacker, The Root, Splinter, among others—as well as Fusion TV and Story House, a long-form production studio. Furthered company goals by effectively working with relevant trade, business and consumer media outlets to proactively emphasize strategic messaging. • Managed crisis communications and developed proactive media strategies for content premieres, partner announcements, revenue-driving initiatives, personnel changes, and various acquisitions/investments. • Amplified the reach of original content by partnering with editorial and production teams to promote breaking news, feature stories, and long-form productions.• Developed and executed promotional campaigns in partnership with editorial, ad sales, and product to launch and grow seven new digital destinations spanning food, e-sports, lifestyle, news, music, the environment, and e-commerce. • Advised CEO and senior executives during several transitional periods. • Increased consistency and bridged communications gaps across more than 500 employees in six different offices as the company navigated a transition of as well as an expansion through numerous acquisitions. • Created an awards strategy across to raise the company’s profile within the journalism, entertainment and ad sales communities resulting in over 100 various honors.• Aided in the development of new diversity initiatives focused on creating opportunities for underrepresented talent at all levels, including a coalition of 60 organizations committed increasing inclusivity across media & entertainment industries.

Drove communications strategy for the launch of a new cable network and oversaw publicity campaigns for its unscripted programming slate. Coordinated business, consumer and trade media interest in the network and served as the primary publicist for its on-air talent. Took on a cross-functional role in 2015, adding oversight of marketing and synergy functions. • Coordinated with network leadership, show producers, talent, and parent company executives to ensure consistency of messaging leading up to and through net’s launch resulting in Ad Age calling Fusion a “cable network to watch” in 2014.• Elevated network’s profile with brand defining coverage including: The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, New Yorker, Miami Herald, Rolling Stone, NPR, BuzzFeed, TIME 100, and segments on “The Daily Show,” “Colbert Report,” “Real Time with Bill Maher,” “Conan,” CNN, MSNBC, and Bloomberg among other outlets. • Managed internal team and outside agencies on more than two-dozen meaningful publicity campaigns that resulted in increased awareness of the net’s unscripted programming across many genres (news/talk shows, documentary, investigative, and comedy). • Oversaw allocation of a multi-million-dollar marketing budget and development of comprehensive promotional campaigns that drove sampling and improved viewership.

Served as media strategist and spokesperson for a range of ABC News properties including World News with Diane Sawyer and World News with David Muir as well as the news division’s breaking news, political, international, and investigative units. Acted as the primary publicist for many of the network’s high-profile on-air anchors and correspondents. • Developed and managed promotional strategy for rolling out major news-making interviews, investigative reports, and series launches. • Conceived publicity campaigns for highly-rated programming including Diane Sawyer’s primetime specials and news division-produced docu-series. • Responsible for all communications related to the network’s 2010 mid-term and 2012 presidential election coverage, which included two primary debates, the 2012 Vice Presidential debate moderated by ABC, and live election night coverage.• Collaborated effectively with research and ad sales leaders to successfully manage narratives and trends around ratings/competitive performance.

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