J. Max Robins Appointed VP and Executive Director of
The Paley Center’s Media Council and International Council

Media Veteran to Helm Unique Industry Forums
New York, NY —Pat Mitchell, president and CEO of The Paley Center for Media, announced today the
appointment of J. Max Robins as vice president and executive director of the Paley Center’s Media
Council and International Council, effective April 7, 2008.
“I am very pleased to welcome J. Max Robins to the Paley Center to head up our prestigious Media and
International Councils,” said Pat Mitchell. “Throughout his career, Max has remained at the cutting
edge of the ever-changing media landscape, as evidenced in his work as an innovative editor and
respected commentator on the industry. His insight, and proven leadership abilities, will be a
tremendous asset to the organization.”
“Since I began covering the entertainment industry, I have been keenly aware of the important impact of
The Paley Center for Media on many aspects of the media,” said J. Max Robins. “The landscape is
changing dramatically at unimaginable rates. To join an organization that supports the leadership and
the discourse of important changes on a global scale is a privilege.”
The Media Council is a unique forum where top industry executives, thinkers, and influencers gather to
discuss and define the future of media and its role in society. It is both a catalyst and a neutral facilitator
of debate about crucial issues. Membership in the Media Council is limited to senior executives and is by
invitation only.
The International Council brings together the chief executives of the world’s most important media
companies. The role of the Council is to advance the exchange of ideas among these leaders in global
media, entertainment, and communications, and to foster a community among them. This is
accomplished through both informal and organized discussions on a wide range of critical issues that
will define the media and its role in society for generations to come.
The previous director of the Media and International Councils, Penny Abernathy, is leaving to take the
Knight Chair in Digital Media Economics at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at UNC
at Chapel Hill.
J. Max Robins comes to the Media Council from Broadcasting & Cable where most recently he served as
editor in chief, overseeing all editorial content for print, the web, and conferences. During his tenure,
Robins supervised a redesign of the magazine, as well as the successful launch of print and digital
specials and e-newsletters. He also wrote a popular weekly column covering all aspects of the media
landscape, from the state of network news to the industry’s forays into mobile and broadband
technologies. Under his leadership, Broadcasting & Cable received numerous accolades, including honors
from The Trade Association of Business Publications and the Society of Publication Designers.
Prior to Broadcasting & Cable , Robins was a senior editor at TV Guide for seven years where his weekly
column “The Robins Report” became known for its keen analysis and breaking news stories. He also
spent six years as a TV editor and columnist for Variety , writing extensively on the networks, the
production community, advertising, cable, regulatory policy, and new media.
Robins has written for numerous publications, and is a frequent guest on several TV and radio programs.
He has appeared on CBS Evening News , NBC Nightly News , The Today Show , Good Morning America ,
Charlie Rose and all the major cable news networks. In addition, he has provided commentary on public
radio’s All Things Considered , On the Media , and Morning Edition among others.
Robins is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Columbia University Graduate School of
Journalism.
The Paley Center for Media, with locations in New York and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural,
creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and
media-interested public. Drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with
the leaders of the media community, the Paley Center examines the intersections between media and society. The
general public can access the collection and participate in programs that explore and celebrate the creativity, the
innovations, the personalities, and the leaders who are shaping media. Through the global programs of its Media
Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can
engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television &
Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more
information, please visit www.paleycenter.org.

(2008)