Erin Calhoun, head of communications for Paramount Streaming and Showtime, is leaving the company after seven years.
Calhoun will leave at the end of September, he wrote in a memo to staff on Thursday (read it below, along with a note from Paramount Streaming chairman and CEO Tom Ryan).
“What has made this journey truly extraordinary is this team and the people I have had the privilege of working with, talented individuals who have not only been colleagues, but friends,” Calhoun writes. “I leave here with fond memories that will stay with me forever.”
Calhoun’s exit follows the departure of Paramount+ and Paramount+ With Showtime marketing director Michael Engleman in August. As with Engleman’s exit, Calhoun is leaving Paramount as the company looks to streamline its operations, including communications, ahead of its merger with Skydance. The company is seeking $500 million in cost savings and is laying off 15 percent of its U.S. workforce.
Calhoun leaves Paramount as executive vice president and head of communications for Paramount Streaming, Paramount+ with Showtime and intercompany advertising. Prior to joining Showtime, she was vice president of corporate communications at NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment and vice president of communications at Discovery.
Read Calhoun’s full memo below.
Squad,
After seven incredible years, I am sharing the news that I will be leaving Paramount. It has been a privilege to be a part of this organization and I am filled with gratitude for the experiences and opportunities I have been fortunate to have, but most of all, for the friendships I have made along the way.
During my time here, I have had the honor of leading the communications team first at Showtime and most recently at Paramount Streaming, which has been a truly rewarding experience. I am incredibly proud of this team and all that we have accomplished. Together, we have navigated many challenges and changes, always supporting one another as we focused on delivering extraordinary campaigns and record-breaking results, including launching multiple award-winning shows, producing hundreds of premiere events and awards campaigns, and expertly managing countless corporate communications initiatives.
While I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together, what has made this journey truly extraordinary is this team and the people I have had the privilege of working with, talented individuals who have not only been colleagues, but friends. I leave here with fond memories that will stay with me forever. I am so grateful for every moment, for all the fun we have had together, and for each and every one of you.
As I move forward into my next adventure, please know that I carry with me all the lessons learned, as well as the collaborative spirit we have cultivated together. Thank you for your support, dedication, and partnership.
I will be leaving at the end of the month and I look forward to connecting with many of you before I leave. I wish each of you the best and continued success.
With sincere thanks,
Erin
Note from Tom Ryan:
Hello team
I want to share that Erin Calhoun is leaving Paramount after seven years with the company. I have had the great pleasure of working closely with Erin in her role as EVP, Head of Communications, Paramount Streaming & Showtime and Cross-Company Publicity, where she seamlessly brought together the communications teams of Paramount+, Pluto TV and Showtime to create a unified function that has created and accelerated our powerful streaming storytelling.
During her tenure, Erin successfully built and led a world-class team that effectively showcased the momentum and milestones of our premium content and leading services. Overseeing everything from corporate communications, advertising, events and talent relations to awards and photography, Erin oversaw best-in-class campaigns for all Paramount+ originals, including Traveling Companions, The Curse, Frasier, Knuckles AND Special Operations: Lioness; managed media relations for product and brand priorities, such as Pluto TV’s 10th anniversary; led the team that delivered over 250 industry events and facilitated nearly 100 award nominations each year.
As many of you know, Erin has skillfully built and enhanced the Showtime brand during her time at Paramount, which included sending out hit series Shameless AND Billionsin addition to the launch yellow wasps AND Dexter: New Blood. During a dynamic time at our company, Erin also masterfully managed the bringing together of teams from across Paramount to demonstrate the success of our combined offering in her role as Head of Corporate Cross-Company Publicity. Her collaborative nature and approach were on full display at this year’s Super Bowl, where she helped lead the Corporate Communications efforts for the company.
I am incredibly grateful for her countless contributions to Paramount, but most of all for her ongoing partnership and expert guidance. Erin has been a trusted confidant and strategic partner, and I know she will be very successful in all of her future endeavors. Please join me in wishing Erin a heartfelt goodbye.
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