or


[08/02/11 - 12:29 PM]
USA Announces Public Affairs Division
Newly appointed SVP Toby Graff will supervise said division, "an expansion of the network's commitment to using the power of the media to make a difference in the lives of viewers."

[via press release from USA]

USA ANNOUNCES PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION

Building on the Success of USA's Characters Unite Campaign, Department Led By Newly Appointed SVP Toby Graff to Oversee All Pro-Social Initiatives

NEW YORK - August 2, 2011 - USA Network announced today the formation of a Public Affairs division, led by newly appointed Senior Vice President Toby Graff. The Public Affairs division is an expansion of the Network's commitment to using the power of the media to make a difference in the lives of viewers. The announcement was made today by USA co-presidents Chris McCumber and Jeff Wachtel.

The new Public Affairs department will focus on developing and implementing all pro-social initiatives, creating cause marketing promotions tied to original programming, handling government relations and managing charitable giving for USA and emerging networks (Sleuth/Cloo and Uni HD). Based in New York, Graff will report directly to McCumber.

Graff, who most recently served as senior advisor on USA's Characters Unite campaign to combat prejudice and discrimination and promote tolerance and respect, will now oversee all of the on-air, digital, community, employee, press and sponsorship elements of the signature public service initiative. In concert with all units of USA, Public Affairs will continue to grow Characters Unite to include more extensive original programming, PSAs, content on charactersunite.com, grassroots outreach and legislative advocacy -- all designed to inform, support and inspire audiences to bridge cultural divides and overcome social injustices.

"USA is committed to creating programs and original content through the power of storytelling and the success of Characters Unite has provided an open forum as a means to foster tolerance and respect," said McCumber and Wachtel. "We saw firsthand the positive effects this program had across the country and will continue to build on its success through this new division, led by Toby with her vast experience and commitment to public service."

In order to expand the reach and impact of the networks' pro-social and charitable efforts, Graff and her team will forge partnerships with nonprofit and industry organizations, foundations, talent and business and governmental leaders. Additionally, the department will become the liaison to NBCUniversal in managing USA's involvement in corporate social responsibility initiatives such as "Green is Universal" and "Education Nation."

Previously, Graff served as senior vice president, Public Affairs and Corporate Communications, for Lifetime Networks. In this capacity, she oversaw communications strategy; the network's award-winning public service campaigns on issues such as breast cancer, domestic violence, heart health and women's political participation; corporate giving; and participation in industry and charitable events. She developed the "Every Woman Counts" initiative to encourage women to vote and lead, and the "Extraordinary Women" weekly vignette series to profile female leaders in many fields. Under Graff's leadership, Lifetime helped to get five pieces of critical legislation signed into law, including a bill to eliminate the backlog of untested DNA evidence from rape kits and two bills to combat slavery of women.

Prior to joining Lifetime, Graff served as Deputy Press Secretary for then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. She also worked on health care and welfare reform at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and on three presidential campaigns.

Graff and the public affairs initiatives she spearheaded have received numerous accolades including the prestigious Governors Emmy(R) from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and awards from organizations such as the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the YWCA of the U.S.A, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, the Ms. Foundation for Women, the Association of Cable Communicators (ACC) and more. She was named one of Broadcasting & Cable's 2005 "Next Wave of Women" in the industry and participated in WICT's Betsy Magness Leadership Program in 2007. She has served on the Board of Trustees of JWI (Jewish Women International); the Education Advisory Board of New York City League of Women Voters; the Communications Advisory Board of RAINN; and the Advisory Council of the New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition. She earned a Master's Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and holds a B.A. with Distinction from Boston University.

USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes. A division of NBCUniversal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.





  [august 2011]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[10/01/26 - 09:10 AM]
ESPN Announces 2026-27 "Inside the NBA Presented by Eli Lilly" Regular Season Schedule
The schedule begins with coverage of NBA Opening Week on October 21 and 22 and continues weekly throughout the season's first four weeks, giving fans an early-season destination alongside ESPN's NBA coverage.

[10/01/26 - 09:01 AM]
HBO Max Celebrates Halloween 2026 with "Horror Comes Home" Collection
Available today and throughout October, viewers can explore a best-in-class lineup of acclaimed new releases, blockbuster franchises, genre-defining classics, and exclusive titles, delivering a month of unforgettable scares.

[10/01/26 - 09:00 AM]
Video: Apple TV Debuts Trailer for "Awkwafina: The Unlikely Cook," Premiering November 6
The eight-episode series follows Nora Lum, aka Awkwafina, on a cross-country culinary road trip as she attempts to revive her family's beloved Chinese restaurant.

[10/01/26 - 08:35 AM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Kicks Off Season 39 with Best Premiere Week in Three Years
"Live" has now ranked as the No. 1 talk show in syndication for 189 consecutive weeks (more than three years) across all key measures.

[10/01/26 - 08:03 AM]
ESPN Reveals ABC Lineup for Women's and Men's College Basketball Seasons
In all, the ABC schedule showcases 17 ranked women's and men's teams, with 12 top-25 games according to ESPN.com's Way-Too-Early rankings.

[10/01/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: The Official "Dexter: Resurrection" Season 2 Trailer Is Here.
The series returns to Paramount+ on October 30 only on the Premium Plan.

[10/01/26 - 08:01 AM]
Prime Video Announces Three Additional New Cast for Season Two of Original Series "Bloodaxe"
Maddy Ambus, Steven Brand, and Lasse Steen join the cast for the second season of the historical drama based on the epic true story of Erik Bloodaxe and his wife Gunnhild.

[10/01/26 - 08:00 AM]
"Young Washington" Now Available on Wonder Project's Subscription Service
The film anchors "Stories Worth Knowing," a new collection spotlighting the stories behind figures and moments in American history and culture.

[10/01/26 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "Gentle Monster" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After moving to the countryside, Lucy hopes for a fresh start with her family - but a police visit and her husband's dark secret shatter her world.

[10/01/26 - 07:20 AM]
Tubi Expands R.L. Stine Partnership with New Original Film "Afraid of Clowns"
The film stars Frankie Honey, Ava Ferrer, Azriel Dalman, Joe Moore, and Jimbo.

[10/01/26 - 06:54 AM]
Roku Announces "Battle of the Streaming Stars," Hosted and Executive Produced by Terry Crews
Roku has ordered two specials, the first launching on October 23 and the second in early 2027 exclusively on The Roku Channel.

[09/30/26 - 09:01 PM]
Video: "Balaraw: Blood Island" - Official Trailer - Netflix Philippines
A woman's search for her missing mother leads her to the sinister Balaraw Island, where survival, dark secrets and her own identity hang in the balance.

[09/30/26 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "Dead-End Job" - Official Teaser - Netflix
Drowning in debt, a young man takes lucrative part-time jobs from a mysterious agency - only to find his hustle for more money turning nightmarish.

[09/30/26 - 04:44 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Sails to 7 Million Total Viewers on "Yacht Rock Night"
At 10 p.m., "R.J. Decker" hit a season high in early Live+Same Day Panel Only numbers with 3.20 million Total Viewers.

[09/30/26 - 03:50 PM]
Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery Announce Anticipated Closing Date of Paramount Merger
The merger is expected to close on October 6, 2026.