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Conversations with the elected representatives for each Academy peer group
Join Professional Representatives governors Jacob Fenton and Hillary Bibicoff for a conversation about the importance of cultivating relationships, mentoring young colleagues and getting the word out to lawyers, agents and managers that there's an Academy peer group where they can make a difference in the industry.
Get to Know Our Professional Representatives Governors
Click a name below to learn more about our peer-group leaders
Briefly describe what you do.
As a talent agent, I source creative and employment opportunities for clients, and when projects and offers come together, we are tasked with negotiating the terms of their deals. As reps, we spend a lot of time identifying material, collaborating with studios, networks and creatives to play hopeful matchmaker and employment generator!
What motivated you to become a governor?
Television has been the center of my career and creative universe for nearly 25 years, and the Television Academy has been a huge part of the foundation for the ecosystem in which I live and breathe every day. I wanted to find a way to give back to the institution that I felt I owed so much to. While the Emmy Awards are, of course, the beating heart of it all, there are so many other "organs" that make up the body that is the Television Academy. I wanted to be a part of helping continue to shape the organization and spread better awareness of all it has to offer as we push forward to new generations.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments or credits?
I'm incredibly proud of so many moments in my career, but family will always come first. I'm proud of the way I've learned to balance and prioritize that aspect of my life (as it took me a long time to do so adequately), but at the end of the day, it's also what makes me better at my job. I'm so very proud to be able to represent artists who are moving the narrative needle forward on-screen. We still have a lot of work to do. Still, we are making progress for so many underrepresented communities to be adequately reflected on-screen, and part of the work I do is to help achieve that as an advocate for artists' work. Everyone deserves to be seen.
How do you stay informed about emerging trends and developments within your field, and how has that helped support your peer group?
Working at one of the largest global talent agencies has afforded me incredible access to a multitude of colleagues and resources that are constantly sharing information and educating me on emerging trends and issues within our field. I also work closely with the guilds (in particular, SAG-AFTRA) to stay aligned and updated on the issues affecting our peer group and the television industry. The Television Academy continues to be a leading source of information and support as we navigate these evolving times together. I'm grateful for their dedication and ongoing commitment to our community.
What do you hope to accomplish for your peer group as a governor?
I plan to grow our membership organically and further educate our members. As a peer group without a voting/Emmy category or discipline for awards, we often face misconceptions about our involvement and contributions. However, there are numerous necessary and impactful ways for us to contribute. We all have an important part to play in this vibrant ecosystem, and I want to highlight (and celebrate) ours properly!
What do you like most about being a governor at the Television Academy?
I love collaborating with colleagues across all spectrums of our industry regularly to address the ever-changing needs of our television and streaming community. Everyone comes to the table with a unique and valid perspective, and the governors of the Television Academy are the smartest, most dedicated experts in their respective fields. Every time we have a board meeting, I feel like the Television Industry Avengers have been assembled to tackle the current issues at hand. It may not always be perfect, but it's collaborative, spirited and respectful. Whether the discussion is about inclusion efforts, philanthropic endeavors, Emmy rule modifications or impactful legislation, everyone has the best interests of our television community at the center of every conversation.
Briefly describe what you do.
I am a transactional entertainment attorney, specializing in the negotiation of agreements on behalf of actors, writers, directors and hosts, as well as book, screenplay and life-story option and purchase agreements.
What motivated you to become a governor?
I have been a member of the Television Academy for over 25 years and wanted to be more involved in setting and carrying out its agenda.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments or credits?
I am proud that I have gotten to work with legends such as James Cameron, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Nichols, Robert Towne and Warren Beatty and negotiated major deals, including the original agreement between Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. and the agreement for this round of Godzilla films and series, while also getting to work with clients as they are just achieving their first successes in this industry. I am most proud that so many of my clients have stayed with me for so many years.
How do you stay informed about emerging trends and developments within your field, and how has that helped support your peer group?
I am always out there networking and attending seminars and conferences to stay on top of what is going on in the industry, including serving on the Advisory Board for the UCLA Entertainment Symposium. And, of course, I subscribe to my Deadline alerts and various other industry publications; plus, I gather intelligence through my firm and as I negotiate deals. This helps my peer group, because as a member of both the Advocacy Committee and the Innovation Advisory Committee (and its legal subgroup), I am also an advocate for issues affecting the peer group. In addition, Jacob and I make sure to offer our peer group networking opportunities and provide seminars and other information about relevant topics.
What do you hope to accomplish for your peer group as a governor?
I want our peer group members to feel connected to the Television Academy and to receive value for their membership dues, including providing:
(a) Networking opportunities
(b) Information about, and advocacy for, issues that affect them
(c) A way for their voices to be heard, and to get more involved with, the Television Academy
What do you like most about being a governor at the Television Academy?
I most enjoy getting to know so many other members, both within and outside my peer group. But I am also impressed with the work that the governors put in, the ability that we have to actually make a difference (as opposed to some other boards that I have sat on) and how much work and thought the other governors, the officers and Television Academy staff put into trying to serve our members and community in the best possible ways.
