HRTS Elects New Officers

The Hollywood Radio and Television Society has elected industry leaders from WME, Universal Television, Lionsgate and City National Bank as new officers to a two-year voluntary term, beginning in January, 2018.

They are: Marc Korman, partner, WME, who succeeds Eric Schrier, president of programming, FX Networks and president of FX Productions, as president of HRTS; Pearlena Igbokwe, president, Universal Television, as vice president, succeeding Korman; Chris Selak, EVP and head of worldwide scripted television, Lionsgate, succeeding Christina Davis (Maniac Productions), as secretary; and David Acosta, SVP/team leader, entertainment division, City National Bank, remaining as treasurer.

HRTS CEO Melissa Grego announced the new executive slate at the HRTS board of directors meeting on Dec. 12.

“Marc has been a valued member of the HRTS leadership for the last two years as vice president, and I look forward to working closely with him and Pearlena, Chris, David and the board of directors as we continue to build on our great tradition as television and media’s premier networking, education and career development association,” Grego said.

“HRTS has for 70 years been fortunate to benefit from the dedication and guidance of our industry’s top leaders who serve as HRTS officers and board of directors on a voluntary basis. I am grateful and excited to work with this stellar group of new officers as we expand membership benefits at this time of great change — and great need for the types of forums HRTS provides best.”

“It’s an honor and privilege to serve as the next president of the Hollywood Radio and Television Society,” Korman said. “I want to thank Eric for his tremendous work as my predecessor, as well as the HRTS board and its members for making the society a vital forum for our community.”

Marc Korman is a partner in WME’s scripted television department. He works closely with television and feature writers, playwrights, and filmmakers to package scripted drama series. Korman joined Endeavor as a partner in March 2008 and transitioned to WME following the agency’s merger with William Morris in 2009. He was previously a partner in the television department at United Talent Agency (UTA).

Pearlena Igbokwe was named president of Universal Television in June 2016 and oversees the creative programming for one of the country’s largest and most successful production companies. Prior to NBC Entertainment, Igbokwe spent 20 years at Showtime where she helped develop hit television series such as Dexter, Masters of Sex, Nurse Jackie and The Big C.

As EVP and head of worldwide scripted television at Lionsgate, Chris Selak oversees creative development and programming for all scripted television projects around the globe across a wide array of platforms. Selak is a key member of the Lionsgate Television Group management team. He also spearheads the Lionsgate Television Group’s collaboration with the Lionsgate UK television business. Additionally, her team supplies new premium scripted series to the Starz platform.

Before joining Lionsgate in 2011, Selak was SVP at John Wells Productions where she oversaw programming for ER and The West Wing. At John Wells Productions, Selak also helped develop the Showtime hit series, Shameless.

With over a decade of experience in the entertainment and media finance business, David Acosta, SVP/team leader, entertainment division, City National Bank, runs the Film, TV and Sports Team in Los Angeles. Prior to joining CNB, he worked for Israel Discount Bank of New York, where he was an SVP and head of the entertainment, sports and syndicated finance group and head of mid-corporate banking. There, he led a team of bankers who managed relationships with sports and entertainment companies.