TPEC Awards 2025: Celebrating Excellence in Television Publicity
The Television Publicity Executive Committee (TPEC) has unveiled the winners of the prestigious 2025 TPEC Awards, which honor outstanding publicity campaigns across the television landscape. This year’s ceremony took place in Los Angeles, where industry leaders gathered to celebrate individual achievements, including the esteemed Ben Halpern Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded to Chris Ender, Executive VP and Head of Communications at CBS. Additionally, the inaugural Press Impact Award was presented to Michael Schneider, the Executive Editor of Television at Variety.
The TPEC Awards shine a spotlight on innovative programming campaigns and publicity efforts across a diverse range of genres and platforms. Publicity teams from around the globe submitted their campaigns, representing major broadcast networks, cable channels, streaming services, and production studios. Notable participants included ABC, CBS Studios, Comedy Central, Crunchyroll, Disney Channel, Disney Jr., Disney+, FOX, FX, Hallmark, Hulu, Lifetime, Max, MTV, National Geographic, NBC, Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, Prime Video, and Showtime.
Wendy Zocks, chair of TPEC and founder of Wendy Zocks PR, expressed her excitement about the increased submissions this year, stating, “Every campaign showcased an incredible range of creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking from all platforms. It’s inspiring to witness the remarkable work from our talented peers, along with the well-deserved recognition of industry icons like Chris Ender and Michael Schneider. Our Rising Star recipients also play a crucial role in ensuring TPEC continues to thrive.”
In addition to honoring established industry leaders, TPEC is dedicated to highlighting emerging publicists early in their careers. This year’s Rising Star recipients include Lauren Dundee from MGM+, Charlotte McManus from Amazon MGM Studios, and Leah Palacios from Disney Branded Television and Freeform.
2025 TPEC Awards Winners:
- Campaign of the Year: The Pitt
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Returning Drama Series: Lioness – Season 2
- Kelly Andersen (Paramount Media Networks & MTV Entertainment Studios)
- Jamie Kekejian (Showtime / MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks)
- Kate Mann (Paramount+)
- Patrick Santiago (Paramount Global)
- Charli Wood (Showtime / MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks)
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New Drama Series: The Pitt – Season 1
- Sarah Alcala (WBTV)
- Joslyn Martinez (WBTV)
- Kristi Strupinsky (WBTV)
- Allyson Weissman (WBTV)
- Courtney Brown (HBO Max)
- Ashley Mokma (HBO Max)
- Yari Romero (HBO Max)
- Lily Walker (HBO Max)
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Returning Comedy Series: Only Murders in the Building – Season 4
- Yasamin Azarakhsh (Hulu)
- Emily Leitz (Hulu)
- Lydia McMahon (Hulu)
- Maura Wong (Hulu)
- Chris Kaspers (20th Television)
- Lilit Zakaryan (20th Television)
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New Comedy Series: Nobody Wants This – Season 1
- Meg Masters (Netflix)
- Jennifer Tehrani (Netflix)
- Tiffany Zarabi (Disney)
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Returning Unscripted Series: Secrets of the Octopus – Season 3
- Nadia Aziz (Nat Geo)
- Kate Squier (Nat Geo)
- Jennifer DeGuzman (Nat Geo)
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New Unscripted Series: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives – Season 1
- Lauren Burnett (Hulu)
- Lydia McMahon (Hulu)
- Maura Wong (Hulu)
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Returning Genre Series: The Boys – Season 4
- Tamara Golihew (Prime Video)
- Akiva Griffith (Prime Video)
- Charlotte McManus (Prime Video)
- Alex Polansky (Prime Video)
- Summerlynn Powell (Prime Video)
- Lauren Grossman (Sony Pictures Television)
- Beth Haiken (Sony Pictures Television)
- Pilar Wafer (Sony Pictures Television)
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Animated Series (Adult & Children): Star Trek: Lower Decks – Season 5
- Nikki Kozel (CBS Studios)
- Cornelia Thomson (CBS Studios)
- Jennifer Verti (CBS Studios)
- Rachael Wesolowski (CBS Studios)
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Television Movie: Holiday Touchdown: A Chief’s Love Story
- Maria Fischer (Hallmark Media)
- Alice Rao (Hallmark Media)
- Emily Robinson (Hallmark Media)
- Joanne Schioppi (Hallmark)
- Reid Spencer (Hallmark)
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Limited or Anthology Series: Feud: Capote vs The Swans
- Haley Baker (FX)
- Bill Brennan (FX)
- Susan Kesser (FX)
- Justin Sutton (FX)
- Chris Kaspers (20th Television)
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Talk Show (Late Night/Daytime/Syndicated): The Daily Show
- Ronnie Brumant (Comedy Central)
- Parker Moreno (Comedy Central)
- Nicole Platt (Comedy Central)
- Imani Punch (Comedy Central)
- Natalie Lee (Minassian Media)
- Craig Minassian (Minassian Media)
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Documentary Movie / Limited Series: Jim Henson: Idea Man
- Katherine Nelson (Disney Branded Television)
- Amber Brockman (Freeform)
- Cara Freitas (Disney Branded Television)
- Syd Jean (Freeform)
- Amanda Kell (Freeform)
- Nick Rodea (Freeform)
- Live or Taped Variety Show / Special: SNL 50th Anniversary
- Nikaila Dube (NBCUniversal)
- Kennedy Jirard (NBCUniversal)
- Lauren Manasevit (NBC Universal)
- Lauren Roseman (NBCUniversal)
- Sydona Roberts (NBCUniversal)
- Julianne Tarullo (NBCUniversal)
Lifetime Achievement Recognition:
The Ben Halpern Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Chris Ender, who has been a key figure at CBS since 1996. In his role, he oversees external and internal communications across all CBS divisions, including Entertainment, News, Sports, and Studios. Ender’s career began at Bender, Goldman & Helper Public Relations, followed by a notable tenure as Vice President of Media Relations for Sony Pictures Television.
Michael Schneider, a veteran television journalist with three decades of experience, received the Press Impact Award. Now the Executive Editor of TV at Variety, Schneider has also held significant roles at IndieWire and TV Guide Magazine.
The TPEC Award committee evaluated submissions focusing on campaigns that demonstrated innovation, cultural impact, and effective diversity and inclusion strategies. The committee’s members include industry professionals from various leading organizations, ensuring a well-rounded and knowledgeable selection process.
This year’s TPEC Awards not only recognized excellence but also set the stage for future talent, inspiring the next generation of publicists to continue pushing the boundaries of creativity in television publicity.
