Smithsonian Channel Names Joanna Brahim to Newly Created Role

Smithsonian Channel, a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, announced that Joanna Brahim has joined the network in the newly created role of Vice President, Communications. As the network's head of publicity, Brahim will be responsible for the strategic planning and execution of all public relations initiatives supporting Smithsonian Channel's award-winning programming, and the company's marketing, distribution, streaming, digital media and sales teams. She will design and execute long-range communications strategies that will continue to raise the profile of the network, and will oversee program publicity, talent relations, events and corporate communications. Brahim will work closely with the communications leaders at SHOWTIME®, the Smithsonian Institution and CBS. The announcement was made today by Tom Hayden, President, Smithsonian Networks and Trisha Cardoso, Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications, Showtime Networks Inc., to whom she will dually report.

"As we continue the evolution of Smithsonian Networks with the growth of our programming line-up and with the launch of our new streaming services, we're thrilled to have a respected communications professional of Joanna's caliber joining our executive team," said Hayden. "Joanna's creativity and wide-ranging experience in unscripted and news programming will serve us well as we embark on the next phase of our network's expansion and branding efforts."

Brahim joins Smithsonian Channel from TLC, where she served as Senior Director, Publicity. In that role, she managed overall brand strategy for the network and its senior executives, serving as a lead communicator for TLC's ad sales, digital, social and research efforts, securing trade press opportunities, speaking engagements and panels. Over her eight years working on some of the network's highest-rated unscripted series, Brahim led publicity campaigns, talent relations and crisis management around some of TLC's most popular series and specials including Long Island Medium, Kate Plus Eight, What Not to Wear, Toddlers & Tiaras and The Royal Wedding.

Brahim previously worked at WCBS-TV as Director, Communications and Community Affairs, handling all publicity for the station's top talent and executives, and working directly with the station's president. She served as the station's spokeswoman, and as a liaison between CBS 2 and CBS Entertainment Communications. Additionally, she managed community events, sponsorships, and press strategy around the stations political debates coverage. Prior to joining CBS, she worked as a publicist at MSNBC, facilitating press interviews for the network's talent and executives. She managed all press surrounding The Abrams Report, as well all MSNBC specials and documentaries.

She is a graduate of Rutgers University, where she received a B.A. in Journalism and Media Studies. Brahim will be based in Smithsonian Networks' New York offices.

Smithsonian Channel™, owned by Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, is where CURIOSITY lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing entertainment across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME® with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create award-winning programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, history, science, nature, and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, Million Dollar American Princesses, The Weapon Hunter, Mighty Ships, Mighty Planes and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include Civil War 360, 9/11: The Heartland Tapes; MLK: The Assassination Tapes and The Day KENNEDY Died. Find out more at www.smithsonianchannel.com. Smithsonian Networks also operates Smithsonian Earth™, through SN Digital LLC., a new subscription video streaming service delivering spectacular original nature and wildlife content.

Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Channel

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