Former top Paramount TV communications executive Erin Calhoun has joined Versant, the spun-off company housing most of NBCUniversal’s cable networks, as SVP of Entertainment, Sports Communications. Additionally, Steve Arocho has been hired as VP of Corporate Communications, rounding out the team led by Versant Chief Communications Officer Keith Cocozza.
Based in Los Angeles, Calhoun will oversee communications and manage day-to-day press activities for Versant’s portfolio of sports and entertainment brands, including USA Network, Oxygen, E!, SyFy, Golf Channel, GolfNow, Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes and Sports Engine.
She spent seven years at Paramount Global, most recently as EVP of Communications for Paramount Streaming & Paramount+ with Showtime and Cross-Company Publicity. Prior to that, she was EVP of Communications for Showtime and Paramount Television Studios.
This marks a return to familiar territory for Calhoun who earlier in her career served as VP of Corporate Communications for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, working with USA Network and SyFy.
Arocho will lead corporate social responsibility and digital communications for Versant. A 20-year communications veteran, he most recently worked at Major League Baseball across Social Responsibility, Community Affairs, Baseball & Softball Development, Youth Engagement, and Multicultural Outreach.
Along with Calhoun and Arocho, the rest of Cocozza’s Versant communications team includes:
Lauren Skowronski, SVP of Global Communications for CNBC
Richard Hudock, SVP of Communications for MSNBC
Diana Rocco, VP of Internal Communications for Versant
Hollie Tracz, VP of Media Relations for Versant
