Richard Horrmann has been named vice president, communications, ABC Entertainment. It was announced today by Jori Arancio, senior vice president, communications, ABC Entertainment & ABC Studios, to whom he will report.
In this new role, Horrmann will oversee communication efforts for ABC Entertainment shows, series and specials, in addition to publicity campaigns around corporate, consumer and marketing initiatives. He will also continue to be responsible for the strategic development and execution of awards campaigns.
In making the announcement, Arancio said, “Richard has played an integral role in the success of our department. He is a well-respected executive and a results-driven strategist with a passion for our work, and I’m thrilled he is taking on this new position he so richly deserves.”
Prior to this promotion, Horrmann served as executive director, communications, Disney|ABC Television Group. In this role, he oversaw awards campaigns, which garnered numerous nominations for Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and various guild awards, including the Screen Actors Guild. He led publicity efforts for the Disney|ABC Television Group’s participation in the Television Critics Association Press Tour and played a key role in ABC’s publicity for such high-profile events as The Oscars, Emmy Awards, Billboard Music Awards and D23 Expo.
Horrmann also oversaw the ABC publicity social media team and production arm responsible for video content, media tours and junkets.
In 2006, Horrmann began his DATG career as a freelance EPK producer before joining permanently the following year as manager, broadcast publicity, producing short-form content, podcasts and media tours. Prior to that, he was a freelance producer for Walt Disney Home Entertainment, Picture Production Company International, American Greetings Interactive and AOL. He served as executive editor at Hollywood.com, has written for Entertainment Weekly and served as a copy editor at Variety.
Early in his career Horrmann was a news and entertainment reporter and editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group and Long Beach Press-Telegram. He also held positions as an associate producer for Dr. Art Ulene of NBC’s “Today” show and a production coordinator for the groundbreaking MTV reality show “The Real World.”
Horrmann graduated from the University of Southern California with bachelor’s degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science.