PR chief Paul Hewitt has exited The CW after 22 years amid dozens of layoffs at the network, a knowledgeable person confirmed to TheWrap.
Beth Feldman, a former partner at Beyond PR Group, has been tapped by Nexstar to replace Hewitt, effective immediately.
Hewitt’s exit — and layoffs — added to broad changes to the network under Nexstar’s control, most notably the replacement of CW CEO Mark Pedowitz with current chairman Dennis Miller, a former board member.
Beginning his career in Fox Entertainment’s research and marketing department, Hewitt rose to senior vice president of network communications, overseeing all communication strategies, media relations, and internal communications. The publicity executive worked at UPN when the company merged with WB Network in 2006, and oversaw the launch of The CW as Vice President of Corporate Communications.
Hewitt said, “For the past 20 years, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have played a role, albeit a small role, in shaping, impacting and even defining popular culture in the series we created. and shared with our passionate fans,” Transitions in a statement on Tuesday.
“This work has been an absolute gift,” he continued, “and I am forever grateful to all my collaborators in my CW family, the producers, and the talent on the show, who are too many to list that I can work with. I’ve enjoyed, and above all, a world class PR team that I’m proud of, has always been among the best in the industry. I look forward to moving on to the next chapter of my career, and I Best wishes to Dennis, Sean, Beth and everyone at The CW and Nextstar as they lead this network into its bold, new future.”
Feldman for “The Talk,” “Survivor,” “The Good Wife,” “Mom,” “48 Hours,” “The Goldbergs,” “Dr. Kane” and the “Timeless” network, where he covered internal and external communication and Program publicity led.
In addition to his new duties, Feldman will continue to serve as Executive Director of Communications for Nexstar Media Inc.’s Network Division, overseeing communications strategies for NewsNation, where he oversaw the launch of Chris Cuomo’s “Cuomo” and The network is preparing for the upcoming mid-term coverage.
“Beth’s deep connection with the television entertainment industry and her vast experience creating successful promotional and awareness campaigns for a wide range of news, talk and entertainment programming have made her an invaluable resource for The CW,” said Miller, Joe Feldman. Will report to him the new situation, said. “She is an innovative and creative thinker and has well-established relationships with important media outlets across the country and here in Hollywood. I look forward to the energy she will bring to our communication efforts as she has spent the past 22 years. Paul continues to build on the solid foundation established by Hewitt and his team. We thank Paul for all his help and wish him well.”
“I am thrilled to join The CW Network, where I will work alongside a team of industry veterans who are as passionate about the broadcast entertainment industry as I am,” Feldman said in a statement. “I look forward to supporting Dennis on the ground floor of this new venture and look forward to fostering a sense of excitement and enthusiasm as we strive to reach audiences in strategic and inventive ways.”
