The Paley Center for Media, the industry’s preeminent nonprofit organization dedicated to the cultural, creative, and social significance of media, has announced a significant expansion of its leadership. In a move that reflects the rapid convergence of traditional broadcasting, digital streaming, interactive gaming, and telecommunications, the institution has refreshed its Board of Trustees and its Los Angeles Board of Governors with a slate of newly emergent power players. This strategic infusion of talent comes at a pivotal moment for the media landscape, as legacy institutions and tech giants alike navigate a period of profound transformation characterized by the rise of artificial intelligence, the maturation of the streaming economy, and the increasing dominance of interactive entertainment.
The new appointments to the Board of Trustees include high-ranking executives from some of the most influential corporations in the world. Among the newly minted members is Disney executive Josh D’Amaro, whose leadership within the Disney ecosystem has been instrumental in the company’s recent strategic pivots. Joining him is Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang, who has continued to steer the conglomerate through a complex media environment since his elevation to the post last year. The board also welcomes Barry Friedberg, Co-Chairman of the Board at New York Private Bank and Trust; Alex Norström, Co-CEO and Director of Spotify; Adam Presser, CEO of the TikTok USDS joint venture; Dan Schulman, CEO of Verizon; Asha Sharma, Executive Vice President at Microsoft and CEO of Xbox; and Hiroki Totoki, President, COO, and CFO of Sony Group Corporation.
In addition to the changes at the trustee level, the Paley Center has strengthened its West Coast presence by naming Imagine Entertainment co-founder Brian Grazer and Publicis Connected Media CEO Dave Penski to its Los Angeles Board of Governors. These appointments ensure that the Paley Center remains at the intersection of Hollywood’s creative engine and the technological infrastructure that powers global distribution.
A Chronology of Institutional Evolution
The Paley Center for Media was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, the legendary founder of CBS. Originally known as the Museum of Broadcasting, and later the Museum of Television & Radio, the institution was established to preserve the history of the airwaves and to provide a forum for the discussion of media’s impact on society. For nearly half a century, the organization has served as a neutral ground where competitors across the industry gather to analyze trends and celebrate excellence.
The transition to the "Paley Center for Media" in 2007 marked a formal recognition that the boundaries between television, radio, and the emerging internet were dissolving. Since then, the center has expanded its mission to include the burgeoning sectors of social media, mobile technology, and gaming. The current expansion of the board is the latest chapter in this decades-long evolution. By integrating leaders from Spotify, TikTok, and Xbox, the Paley Center is acknowledging that the "media" of the 21st century is as much about algorithmic discovery and interactive play as it is about linear storytelling.
This timeline of growth reflects the broader shifts in consumer behavior. In the 1970s, the center focused on a three-network world. In the 1990s, it incorporated the cable revolution. Today, it operates in an era of "platformization," where the medium of delivery—be it a 5G network provided by Verizon or a social video platform like TikTok—is inseparable from the content itself.
Supporting Data: The Shifting Economics of Media
The background of the new trustees highlights the economic realities of the modern media industry. The inclusion of Microsoft’s Xbox lead and Sony Group’s president underscores the massive financial weight of the gaming sector. According to recent market data, the global video game market is projected to generate over $180 billion in annual revenue, surpassing the combined totals of the global box office and the music industry. The presence of Hiroki Totoki and Asha Sharma on the board signals the Paley Center’s commitment to treating gaming as a primary pillar of the media ecosystem.
Furthermore, the appointment of Alex Norström from Spotify reflects the "audio renaissance." As of late 2023, Spotify reported over 600 million monthly active users, illustrating the platform’s role as a dominant gatekeeper for both music and podcasting. Similarly, Adam Presser’s role at TikTok USDS brings a critical perspective on short-form video and the regulatory complexities of data security—a topic that has become a central concern for media executives and policymakers alike.
The involvement of Dan Schulman and Verizon highlights the role of telecommunications as the "pipes" of the digital age. With the rollout of 5G technology, the speed and accessibility of media have reached unprecedented levels, enabling the high-fidelity streaming and cloud gaming experiences that the other board members oversee. The data suggests that as hardware and software continue to merge, the leadership of media institutions must include those who control the infrastructure of connectivity.
Official Responses and Institutional Vision
The leadership of the Paley Center has framed these appointments as a necessary step to maintain the organization’s relevance in a fast-changing world. Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Executive Vice Chairman and former CEO of Hearst, who serves as the Chairman of The Paley Center for Media, emphasized the collaborative nature of the board.
“The Paley Center’s Board of Trustees and Los Angeles Board of Governors has long brought together some of the most influential leaders across media, business, technology, gaming and entertainment,” Bennack stated. “The addition of these new members reflects the continued evolution of our Boards and strengthens the Paley Center’s ability to engage with the industries shaping the future of media.”
Maureen J. Reidy, President and CEO of The Paley Center for Media, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the specific expertise each new member brings to the table. “We are honored to welcome this exceptional group of renowned and respected leaders,” Reidy said. “Each of these distinguished executives stands at the top of their field, bringing unmatched experience, influence and vision across media, business, technology, gaming and entertainment. Their expertise and valuable insights will advance our mission and further strengthen Paley’s position as the media industry’s preeminent nonprofit.”
While the new members represent the "new guard," they join an existing board that reads like a "Who’s Who" of the global elite. Current members include Apple’s Eddy Cue, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos and Bela Bajaria, Fox’s Lachlan Murdoch, YouTube’s Neal Mohan, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. This mix of established titans and emerging innovators is designed to foster a dialogue that spans generations and industries.
Analysis of Broader Impact and Industry Implications
The diversification of the Paley Center’s board has several long-term implications for the media industry. First, it codifies the "convergence" theory that has been discussed for decades. When the CEO of a gaming division (Xbox) sits alongside the head of a traditional entertainment giant (Disney) and a social media leader (TikTok), it suggests that these sectors are no longer competing for different "buckets" of time, but are all fighting for the same "attention economy."
Secondly, the inclusion of banking and advertising leaders like Barry Friedberg and Dave Penski suggests a focus on the monetization and sustainability of media. As the industry moves away from a pure "growth at all costs" streaming model toward a focus on profitability and ad-supported tiers, the insights of financial and marketing experts will be crucial. Publicis, where Penski holds a leadership role, is one of the world’s largest advertising groups, and his presence indicates that the Paley Center will continue to explore the vital relationship between content and commerce.
Finally, the geographic expansion reflected in the L.A. Board of Governors, featuring Brian Grazer, ensures that the "creative soul" of the industry is not lost amidst the data and technology. Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment has been a staple of high-quality storytelling for decades. His involvement serves as a reminder that regardless of the platform—whether it is an Xbox console, a TikTok feed, or a Disney+ stream—the quality of the narrative remains the ultimate driver of consumer engagement.
The Paley Center’s decision to refresh its leadership is a proactive response to a landscape where the only constant is change. By assembling a board that represents the full spectrum of modern media—from the hardware and the network to the content and the advertisement—the center is positioning itself to remain the definitive authority on the media’s role in our lives for the next fifty years. As these leaders take their seats, the industry will be watching closely to see how their collective vision shapes the future of global communication and entertainment.
