Paramount’s Erin Calhoun Exits As EVP Communications Ahead Of Next Round Of Layoffs
One of Paramount Global’s top communications executives, Erin Calhoun, is stepping down from her role as EVP, Head of Communications, Paramount Streaming & Showtime and Cross-Company Publicity after seven years at the company. Her departure comes as Paramount is bracing for the next wave of layoffs, which I hear is expected next Tuesday, Sept. 24, with marketing and streaming/Paramount+ believed to be among the areas seriously impacted. There also will be further streamlining of the company’s communications operations, which Calhoun’s departure is a precursor to.
Paramount Global’s staff cuts, aiming to reduce its U.S.-based workforce by 15%, started in August, with 90% of the total layoffs to be completed by the end of September.
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Calhoun, who was EVP Communications at Showtime Networks & Paramount Television Studios before being named to her current role in January 2023, announced her departure in a note to her team. (You can read it below.) It also was addressed in an internal memo to the division by Tom Ryan, President & CEO, Paramount Streaming.
“During her tenure, Erin successfully built and led a world-class team that effectively showcased the momentum and milestones of our premium content and leading services,” Ryan said in the email, which you can read in full below. “Overseeing everything from Corporate Communications, Publicity, Events and Talent Relations to Awards and Photography, Erin oversaw top-notch campaigns for all Paramount+ originals including Fellow Travelers, The Curse, Frasier, Knuckles and Special Ops: Lioness; shepherded media relations for product and brand priorities such as Pluto TV’s 10th anniversary; led the team executing more than 250 industry events and spearheaded nearly 100 award nominations each year.”
Calhoun most recently led communications for the integrated Paramount Streaming team, which includes Paramount+, Pluto TV and Showtime, and oversaw programming publicity, media and talent relations, events, photography, awards, film festivals, philanthropy, sports and corporate branding. She also has oversight of cross-company publicity.
A seasoned communications executive with decades of experience,, Calhoun joined Showtime in 2017 and was named EVP Communications in 2020. She subsequently added oversight of communications for Paramount TV Studios.
Calhoun came to Showtime from NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, where she served as VP Corporate Communications, managing trade and business strategies and internal communications for USA Network and Syfy. Prior to joining NBC, Calhoun worked for six years at Discovery Communications as VP Communications.
Previously, Calhoun spent 10 years as an independent consultant for various clients including TNT, TBS, Disney Channel, Discovery and GSN (Game Show Network). Before that, Calhoun worked at TNT for three years as a unit publicist and press project manager, overseeing unit publicity for TNT original films. Calhoun began her career at The Today Show as a talent coordinator.
Here is Calhoun’s note to staff:
After seven incredible years, I am sharing the news that I will be leaving Paramount. It has been a privilege to be a part of this organization, and I am filled with gratitude for the experiences and opportunities I have been fortunate to have but most of all the friendships I have made along the way.
During my time here, I had the honor of leading the communications team first at Showtime and most recently for Paramount Streaming, an experience that has been truly rewarding. I am very proud of this team and all we have accomplished. Together, we overcame several challenges and changes – always supporting each other as we focused on delivering amazing campaigns and record breaking results including launching numerous award winning shows, producing hundreds of premiere events and awards campaigns, and expertly navigating countless corporate communications initiatives.
While I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished together, what truly has made this journey remarkable is this team and the people I have had the privilege to work with — the talented individuals who have not just been colleagues, but friends. I leave here with cherished memories that will stay with me forever. I am so grateful for every moment, for all the fun we have had together and for each and every one of you.
As I move forward to my next adventure, please know that I carry with me all the lessons learned, as well as the spirit of collaboration that we have cultivated together. Thank you for your support, your dedication, and your partnership.
I will be departing at the end of the month and l look forward to connecting with many of you prior to leaving. Wishing each of you all the best and continued success.
With heartfelt thanks,
Erin
—————
Tom Ryan’s note:
Hi Team
I want to share that Erin Calhoun is leaving Paramount after seven years with the company. I have had the great pleasure of working closely with Erin in her role as EVP, Head of Communications, Paramount Streaming & Showtime and Cross-Company Publicity, where she seamlessly brought together communications teams from Paramount+, Pluto TV and Showtime to create a unified function that crafted and accelerated our powerful streaming narrative.
During her tenure, Erin successfully built and led a world-class team that effectively showcased the momentum and milestones of our premium content and leading services. Overseeing everything from Corporate Communications, Publicity, Events and Talent Relations to Awards and Photography, Erin oversaw top-notch campaigns for all Paramount+ originals including Fellow Travelers, The Curse, Frasier, Knuckles and Special Ops: Lioness; shepherded media relations for product and brand priorities such as Pluto TV’s 10th anniversary; led the team executing more than 250 industry events and spearheaded nearly 100 award nominations each year.
As many of you know, Erin deftly built and elevated the Showtime brand during her time at Paramount, which included sending off hit series Shameless and Billions, as well as launching Yellowjackets and Dexter: New Blood. During a dynamic time at our company, Erin has also masterfully navigated bringing together teams from across Paramount to demonstrate the success of our combined offering in her role as head of Corporate Cross-Company Publicity. Her collaborative nature and approach were on display for this year’s Super Bowl where she helped manage the Corporate Communications efforts for the company.
I’m incredibly grateful for her countless contributions to Paramount but most of all her steadfast collaboration and expert counsel. Erin has been a trusted confidant and strategic partner, and I know she’ll have great success in all her future endeavors. Please join me in wishing Erin a heartfelt goodbye.
Tom
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