HOLLYWOOD RADIO & TELEVISION SOCIETY UNVEILS SLATE OF UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS DESIGNED FOR CHANGING INDUSTRY TIMES
Calendar Kicks Off with May 8th Event Featuring Disney Entertainment TV’s John Landgraf & Eric Schrier Moderated by Paris Barclay
Additional Events Include New “Touchpoints” Series Starting with LGBTQIA+ & Allies Mixer; and Conversations on Storytelling, Whataboutism, Breaking In and Redefining Resilience
LOS ANGELES, CA, April 30, 2025 – The Hollywood Radio and Television Society (HRTS) is reimagining its venerated live and virtual slate of Executive and Corporate Member events this year with a range of timely conversations and gatherings designed to serve the global entertainment industry that now comprises its membership, it was announced today by President of the HRTS Board of Directors, Tim McNeal, HRTS Chairperson, David Madden and HRTS CEO, Melissa Grego.
Kicking off the slate is “Cultivating Creative Excellence: A Conversation with John Landgraf and Eric Schrier,” at the iconic Disney Studio Lot in Burbank on Thursday, May 8, 2025, beginning with a networking reception at 9:00 a.m. The conversation will be moderated by award-winning Director and Producer Paris Barclay, who has directed more than 200 episodes of television and has been a frequent collaborator with both Landgraf (Chairman, FX) and Schrier (President of Disney Television Studios and Global Original Television Strategy for Disney Entertainment) for over two decades.
The lineup of programs, set from May through the Fall, includes events co-presented with recently launched charitable arm The HRTS Foundation, and taps into the org’s deep relationships with mission-aligned partners and sponsors such as Easterseals Disability Services, Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (EICOP), Caring Across Generations, and Imaginable Futures. HRTS also presents more than 80 other events throughout the year planned for and by HRTS Associates (mid-career members) and JHRTS (junior/entry-level members) between in-person events in Los Angeles and New York City and virtually.
“We can’t think of any duo more fitting to kick off our new slate during this unique time of transition and change than John Landgraf and Eric Schrier,” said HRTS’ McNeal, Madden and Grego. “John and Eric are two of the most respected executives in our business and we are looking forward to hearing their insights on such core HRTS priorities as creative excellence, risk-taking and nurturing the next wave of Hollywood’s leaders.”
Supporting the conversation among Landgraf, Schrier and Barclay are HRTS Co-Chairs: HRTS Board President Tim McNeal (SVP of Creative Talent Development & Inclusion, Disney Television Studios, Disney Entertainment), HRTS Board Chairman David Madden (Global Head of Entertainment, Wattpad WEBTOON Studios), HRTS Board Vice President Christina Davis (Producer, Amazon MGM Studios), HRTS Board Secretary Scott Hervey (Shareholder, Weintraub Tobin) and HRTS Board Treasurer Linnea McArt (VP & Managing Director, 1st Century Bank).
The slate also includes:
HRTS Touchpoints | LGBTQIA+ & Allies Mixer, taking place 7-9 pm PT on May 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills (location disclosed upon registration confirmation). This event represents the launch of the new HRTS Touchpoints series, gathering members from all career levels who identify as LGBTQIA+ or Allies for an evening designed to mix, mingle and mentor. Current members of HRTS, HRTS Associates and JHRTS are welcome to register with plus ones, as are Corporate Members.
The leaders from across the HRTS Community who have planned this event are:
Chairs Tim McNeal (HRTS), Linnea McArt (HRTS), Sam Poliquin (HRTSA LA), Chris Hazenbush (HRTSA LA), Sara Maldonado (HRTSA LA), Shawn Wu (HRTSA LA) & Melissa Grego (HRTS/HRTS Foundation), as well as more than two dozen voluntary board members from HRTS, HRTS Associates and JHRTS, who gathered at a member’s home in April to plan this new series, providing ways for members to connect on a variety of aspects of their lives.
HRTS | Storytelling and Whataboutism: The Power of Narrative in Shaping Public Perception, targeted for early June 2025 in Los Angeles. In collaboration with partners to be announced, this gathering is an intimate look for HRTS Executive and Corporate Members at how TV and film can help educate audiences and build bridges by challenging stereotypes and misinformation and presenting complex topics in accessible ways. We plan to ask what ethical responsibility do creators have when depicting sensitive topics? How do comedy and genre bridge gaps? Co-chairs include Greg Lipstone (HRTS) and Aimie Billon (HRTS Foundation).
HRTS & HRTS Foundation | Storytelling That Redefines Resilience from 7-9 pm PT on July 23, 2025, in Los Angeles. With 84% of viewers indicating they are interested in seeing more depictions of work, family and care that are realistic amid today’s conflict-ridden times (source: New America), HRTS asks what “resilience” means to American consumers. Join this panel of insightful, expert speakers who will share perspectives and resources on telling authentic stories of hope and persistence in daily life.
This event kicks off the annual 3-day HRTS Fellowship Summer Summit, when the HRTS Foundation gathers our 15 fellows in Los Angeles for unique, immersive educational experiences with leaders from across L.A. – and the Hollywood landscape – as a core element to their Fellowship experience. Fellows to attend, along with select members of the HBCU in LA cohort.
HRTS | Sustainability in Entertainment Workshop: Both Sides of the Screen, targeted for early Fall 2025 in Los Angeles. HRTS workshop featuring two panels and a reception – each focused on different sides of the screen. One will focus on the business and production side, the other focusing on how TV shows and films can raise awareness and counter misinformation, educate, simplify complex science, and debunk false narratives about the climate crisis.
HRTS Foundation x EICOP Breaking In virtual event in February was such a success in showcasing ways to break into the entertainment industry, the orgs have agreed to make this an ongoing series, reuniting in August over HRTS Zoom for another edition of this event featuring industry leaders pulling back the curtain on their real-life journeys, and mastering the art of navigating Hollywood.
Also this fall, HRTS anticipates slating an edition of HRTS Unscripted, chaired by Scott Hervey and Lipstone, which highlights timely sessions on alternative, nonfiction, unscripted and reality TV and provides eligibility for attending attorneys to receive MCLE credits through Weintraub Tobin law firm; as well as a screening/reception/talent Q&A presented by Easterseals Disability Services.
Please consult www.hrts.org for the latest event details and announcements.
About HRTS
Led by a Board of Directors comprising TV and entertainment’s most distinguished leaders, Hollywood Radio & Television Society is the premier networking, education and mentorship association in the industry. Our membership community includes 50+ Corporate Members and 2100+ individual members, representing the top companies across the landscape. We build on HRTS’ rich, 75-year tradition of providing an unparalleled forum for conversation and community through events, our best-in-class mentorship program and other initiatives for professionals at all career stages — from student to C-suite — in Los Angeles, NYC and around the world.
About HRTS Foundation
The HRTS Foundation is a new, standalone charity established in 2022 upon the 75th anniversary of The Hollywood Radio & Television Society (HRTS), the premier networking, education and mentorship association for the entertainment industry. Our mission is to provide resources, training, and education to members of our industry, including individuals from underrepresented backgrounds or perspectives. The Foundation’s first initiative was the launch of the HRTS Fellowship Program.
Press Contact:
Joe Schlosser / Schlosser Communications
[email protected]