Participant Media has tapped former Sony Pictures PR exec Ann Boyd to be its executive vice president of communications, the company said Tuesday.
It’s a newly created position that will see Boyd handling Participant’s communications strategy and operations. She will report directly to CEO Jim Berk.
“Ann is a highly respected communications professional with experience leading digital and traditional entertainment companies and global brands,” Berk said in a statement. “As Participant expands both globally and into new media, Ann will lead a multi-platform communications group charged with increasing the visibility of our content and reach of our social impact. ”
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Participant is a feature film, television, publishing and digital content company that is best known for its big screen work. Many of its more than 40 films engage with some kind of social issue or debate, with credits that include “Syriana,” “Lincoln,” “Contagion” and “Waiting for Superman.” More recently, the company backed last year’s Oscar-nominated film “No” and the box office disappointment “The Fifth Estate.” Upcoming projects include the biopic “Cesar Chavez” and “The Unknown Known,” Errol Morris’ documentary about former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
Boyd most recently served as executive vice president, global communications at Sony Pictures Entertainment, where she managed the company’s corporate communications and social responsibility teams. She joined Sony in 2008. Prior to that, Boyd served as vice president of corporate communications for Fox Interactive Media and led music and entertainment communications at AOL.
She began her career in communications at Waggener Edstrom Worldwide working on the Microsoft account and conducting media and analyst relations’ efforts for a range of products including server software and the first eBooks.