Film Academy Names Tenny Meledonian as Chairman of the Academy Awards – The Hollywood Reporter
Promoted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Tiny Meledonian To Chief of Staff at the Academy Awards, a newly created position, and Mary Jane Bartlow To Executive Vice President, Awards Production and Special Events, Academy CEO Bill Kramer Announced Tuesday.
Melidonian will continue to report directly to Kramer. Bartlow will report to Meledonian.
Melidonian will lead the strategy, talent relations, special events and production teams for all awards programs and events. She will collaborate closely with Academy Awards producers and hosts, Disney/ABC and Academy leadership, including the Board of Governors and its committees, and will oversee the teams involved in developing and executing the Academy Awards ceremony for a global viewing audience.
As the primary contact with Disney/ABC, the Academy’s broadcast distribution partner, Meledonian heads up Oscars sales, marketing, advertising and synergy strategies that support audience growth opportunities globally.
Bartlow will lead teams in the production of all awards events throughout the Academy Awards season, including the Governors Awards, nominations announcement, nominees luncheon, scientific and technical awards, and Oscars gala.
“These positions and departments are vital to the Academy’s development and success as we head toward the 100th Academy Awards and beyond,” Kramer said in a statement. “Tini is creative and forward-thinking – and her years of academic experience and strong knowledge of our awards are a great asset to our organization during this exciting and historic time. She played a critical role in the success of last year’s show. Mary Jane is a truly innovative leader, and her knack for producing high-level events is exceptional. I am extremely grateful For their strategic partnership and support.”
In 2022, under Kramer’s leadership, Meledonian led the newly created Academy Awards Strategy Department, successfully creating a year-round unit on all awards-related programming. The team also oversees the booking of tickets for guests, nominees and seating at awards season events and member shows.
Meledonian most recently served as Executive Vice President of Academy Awards Strategy. She began her career at the Academy in 2005 as a publicist, then progressed to head communications and publicity and oversee brand and marketing strategy before moving on to lead the Academy Awards strategy team. Before joining the Academy, Melidonyan worked in Washington, D.C., including at the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia.
Bartlow joined the Academy in 2013 and most recently served as Senior Vice President of Awards Production and Special Events, contributing significantly to the Academy’s notable events. Prior to joining the Academy, Bartlow produced events for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Emirates Airlines and several prominent global philanthropic families.