or


[08/02/11 - 12:29 PM]
USA Announces Public Affairs Division
Newly appointed SVP Toby Graff will supervise said division, "an expansion of the network's commitment to using the power of the media to make a difference in the lives of viewers."

[via press release from USA]

USA ANNOUNCES PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION

Building on the Success of USA's Characters Unite Campaign, Department Led By Newly Appointed SVP Toby Graff to Oversee All Pro-Social Initiatives

NEW YORK - August 2, 2011 - USA Network announced today the formation of a Public Affairs division, led by newly appointed Senior Vice President Toby Graff. The Public Affairs division is an expansion of the Network's commitment to using the power of the media to make a difference in the lives of viewers. The announcement was made today by USA co-presidents Chris McCumber and Jeff Wachtel.

The new Public Affairs department will focus on developing and implementing all pro-social initiatives, creating cause marketing promotions tied to original programming, handling government relations and managing charitable giving for USA and emerging networks (Sleuth/Cloo and Uni HD). Based in New York, Graff will report directly to McCumber.

Graff, who most recently served as senior advisor on USA's Characters Unite campaign to combat prejudice and discrimination and promote tolerance and respect, will now oversee all of the on-air, digital, community, employee, press and sponsorship elements of the signature public service initiative. In concert with all units of USA, Public Affairs will continue to grow Characters Unite to include more extensive original programming, PSAs, content on charactersunite.com, grassroots outreach and legislative advocacy -- all designed to inform, support and inspire audiences to bridge cultural divides and overcome social injustices.

"USA is committed to creating programs and original content through the power of storytelling and the success of Characters Unite has provided an open forum as a means to foster tolerance and respect," said McCumber and Wachtel. "We saw firsthand the positive effects this program had across the country and will continue to build on its success through this new division, led by Toby with her vast experience and commitment to public service."

In order to expand the reach and impact of the networks' pro-social and charitable efforts, Graff and her team will forge partnerships with nonprofit and industry organizations, foundations, talent and business and governmental leaders. Additionally, the department will become the liaison to NBCUniversal in managing USA's involvement in corporate social responsibility initiatives such as "Green is Universal" and "Education Nation."

Previously, Graff served as senior vice president, Public Affairs and Corporate Communications, for Lifetime Networks. In this capacity, she oversaw communications strategy; the network's award-winning public service campaigns on issues such as breast cancer, domestic violence, heart health and women's political participation; corporate giving; and participation in industry and charitable events. She developed the "Every Woman Counts" initiative to encourage women to vote and lead, and the "Extraordinary Women" weekly vignette series to profile female leaders in many fields. Under Graff's leadership, Lifetime helped to get five pieces of critical legislation signed into law, including a bill to eliminate the backlog of untested DNA evidence from rape kits and two bills to combat slavery of women.

Prior to joining Lifetime, Graff served as Deputy Press Secretary for then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. She also worked on health care and welfare reform at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and on three presidential campaigns.

Graff and the public affairs initiatives she spearheaded have received numerous accolades including the prestigious Governors Emmy(R) from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and awards from organizations such as the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the YWCA of the U.S.A, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, the Ms. Foundation for Women, the Association of Cable Communicators (ACC) and more. She was named one of Broadcasting & Cable's 2005 "Next Wave of Women" in the industry and participated in WICT's Betsy Magness Leadership Program in 2007. She has served on the Board of Trustees of JWI (Jewish Women International); the Education Advisory Board of New York City League of Women Voters; the Communications Advisory Board of RAINN; and the Advisory Council of the New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition. She earned a Master's Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and holds a B.A. with Distinction from Boston University.

USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes. A division of NBCUniversal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.





  [august 2011]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[06/19/13 - 09:12 AM]
Melissa Joan Hart ("Melissa & Joey") and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle ("Baby Daddy") to Participate in Live Twitter Chats Tonight, June 19 on ABC Family
They'll be up on @MelissaJoanHart and @AnnaMariaPdT during their respective telecasts.

[06/19/13 - 09:11 AM]
Disney Channel Orders "I Didn't Do It," Starring Disney XD Star Olivia Holt and Newcomer Austin North
In the series, ultra-competitive fraternal twins Lindy and Logan Watson, together with their four best friends, navigate their freshman year of high school.

[06/19/13 - 09:06 AM]
"Beware the Batman" Soars to Cartoon Network - CGI Action Series Premieres on Saturday, July 13 at 10 A.M. (ET/PT)
Anthony Ruivivar, J.B. Blanc and Sumalee Montano lead the voice ensemble for the series.

[06/19/13 - 08:41 AM]
Tuesday's Broadcast Ratings: "The Voice" Finale Falls Short of the NBA Finals
ABC's coverage of Game 6 dominates the night, posting gains from the year-ago telecast of Game 4.

[06/19/13 - 08:35 AM]
"48 Hours" First at 10:00 PM in Adults 25-54, Adults 18-49, Viewers and Households
CBS spins the numbers for Saturday, June 15.

[06/19/13 - 07:45 AM]
Second Highest-Rated NBA Finals Game 6 Ever on ABC
ABC spins the numbers for Tuesday, June 18.

[06/19/13 - 06:46 AM]
TLC to Air "Breaking Amish: Brave New World" Two-Part After Show
The one-hour specials will air Sunday, July 7 and Sunday, July 14 at 10:00/9:00c.

[06/19/13 - 06:15 AM]
"Big Brother" Introduces Two New Twists for This Summer's Edition Which Premieres June 26 on CBS
The first twist is a series' first: instead of two Houseguests being nominated each week for eviction, contestants will nominate three in this summer's edition.

[06/18/13 - 11:00 PM]
One Night Only! "Hot" Live Girls on the TV Land Stage Wednesday Night
The cable channel details tomorrow night's live season premiere broadcast.

[06/18/13 - 11:00 PM]
NBC's "The Voice" Crowns the Winner in Tonight's Season Finale
Danielle Bradbery, Michelle Chamuel and the Swon Brothers were the three finalists going into tonight's telecast.

[06/18/13 - 10:00 PM]
"So You Think You Can Dance" Top 20 Finalists Revealed
Next week, the real competition begins Tuesday, June 25 when the Top 20 finalists will be paired into 10 couples.

[06/18/13 - 05:24 PM]
Monday's Cable Ratings: "WWE Raw," Stanley Cup Finals Top Charts
Plus: numbers for TLC's "Honey Do," HBO's "Love, Marilyn" and TBS's "Deon Cole's Black Box."

[06/18/13 - 04:15 PM]
Sunday's Cable Ratings: "True Blood" Returns on Top for HBO
Plus: numbers for Showtime's "The Borgias," OWN's "Oprah's Master Class" and AMC's "The Killing."

[06/18/13 - 04:10 PM]
Saturday's Cable Ratings: NBC Sports Network Tops Charts with Stanley Cup Finals
Plus: numbers for Lifetime's "Gone Missing," Hallmark's "Notes from Dad" and TNT's "AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Mel Brooks."

[06/18/13 - 03:27 PM]
Bruins-Blackhawks Game 3 Is Most-Watched NHL Game in NBC Sports Network History
NBC Sports Network spins the numbers for Monday, June 17.