Esquire Network senior vice president of communications Katherine Nelson is joining NBCUniversal sibling networks Syfy and Chiller in the same role.
Nelson, who had been with Esquire since January 2013, will be responsible for overall commmunications strategy, program publicity and talent relations, the networks said. Based in New York and reporting to Dave Howe, president of Syfy and Chiller, she will oversee the networks’ communications teams in both New York and Los Angeles.
Two key projects coming up include planning the publicity strategy for two originals: scripted drama The Expanse starring Thomas Jane, and miniseries Childhood’s End, starring Charles Dance.
At Esquire, Nelson was a member of the executive team that launched the network in September 2013. She developed and executed the launch communications strategy and had direct oversight of publicity and talent relations for its original series and specials.
Howe said Nelson has "a truly unique background and deep experience in promoting high-quality, smart, provocative entertainment," adding, "She has proven herself to be strategic, creative and collaborative during her tenure at NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment."
Prior to joining Esquire, Nelson had left the television industry after 20 years to join rocket and spacecraft manufacturer SpaceX, founded by entrepreneur and inventor Elon Musk, where she was vicepresident, marketing and communications. Her TV industry experience before that included a stint as vice president of communications at Discovery, where she was the lead communications strategist for such series as MythBusters and Dirty Jobs and the special Planet Earth. She also led, for more than 15 years, the network's "Shark Week" franchise publicity campaign. .
