Liz Culley, a seasoned pro in the entertainment and media landscape with over a dozen years of illustrious achievements, has been tapped by The Hollywood Reporter (THR) to helm their VP Entertainment Sales and Special Projects portfolio, as announced on Tuesday. In this pivotal role, Culley embarks on a mission to craft tailored, immersive marketing solutions that seamlessly integrate across THR's diverse platforms, forging dynamic partnerships with advertisers.
With Los Angeles as her base, Culley will report directly to THR's Senior VP Lori O'Connor and President Joe Shields, bringing a wealth of expertise and a keen eye for innovation. Her primary focus will encompass harnessing the allure of FYC Awards opportunities, podcasts that captivate, experiential events that linger in memory, and other extraordinary projects that push the boundaries of engagement.
Prior to her THR appointment, Culley left an indelible mark as the Executive Director of FYC and Entertainment Sales at Condé Nast, where she masterminded advertising and partnership strategies that resonated deeply with major studios. Leveraging Condé Nast's esteemed events like The Met Gala, Vogue World, and The New Yorker Festival, she crafted campaigns that captured the zeitgeist.
But Culley's legacy extends far beyond strategic alliances. She is also credited with revolutionizing Vanity Fair's FYC experiential offerings, most notably by transforming the acclaimed awards podcast 'Little Gold Men' into a live event that thrilled audiences and advertisers alike. Her prowess in transforming digital content into unforgettable live experiences underscores her unparalleled ability to bridge the gap between creativity and commerce.
With her appointment at THR, Culley stands poised to usher in a new era of innovative marketing solutions that will resonate deeply with audiences worldwide, further solidifying THR's position as a leading voice in the entertainment industry.
"Liz infuses our THR team with a vibrant, creative energy that is nothing short of exhilarating," exclaimed Shields. "Her meticulous approach to crafting partnership solutions tailored for entertainment clients stands as a shining example of THR's burgeoning culture of collaboration and innovation, particularly as we amplify our commitment to FYC Awards coverage."
Culley's journey began as a producer, weaving bespoke digital series and concert extravaganzas that showcased the crème de la crème of musical and theatrical talent for prestigious platforms like Myspace, PopSugar, YouTube, the NBA, and the X Games. Prior to her Condé Nast odyssey, she helmed senior sales at Bustle Digital Group, crafting immersive content and experiential advertising narratives for marquee brands like Genesis, Lexus, and The CW.
"THR stands as the very pulse of our industry, with boundless potential to captivate new audiences who breathe entertainment," Culley enthused. Her influence extends beyond THR's walls, as she actively contributes as a board member of LPAC, a committee member of Soho House, and an esteemed entertainment podcast host.
Shields added, "THR's relentless pursuit of digital and social growth has left our competitors trailing in the dust, attracting top talents like Liz and others soon to be revealed. Our strategic focus on amplifying video and social content is reaping rich rewards in this dynamic market, propelling us forward with remarkable momentum."
The announcement of Culley's appointment follows closely on the heels of THR's triumphant showing at last month's SoCal Journalism Awards, where the publication swept 11 first-place honors, including Best Website and Print Journalist of the Year for Rebecca Keegan, further solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the industry.
