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AFTRA Appoints New National Director of Communications
LOS ANGELES (November 18, 2008) —The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the nation’s second largest performers union, announced today the appointment of Christopher de Haan as AFTRA National Director of Communications. Mr. de Haan, who previously served as AFTRA’s National Manager of Communications, will continue to be based in Los Angeles. As National Director of Communications, Mr. de Haan will oversee and manage all AFTRA internal and external communications, including strategy development, media relations, member communications, including AFTRA’s web site and member magazine, and other strategic outreach for the union to key constituencies. He will assume his new post immediately and will report directly to AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth.
“We are pleased that Chris will carry on his exceptional work on behalf of AFTRA members in his new role as National Director of Communications,” said Hedgpeth. “In our global digital economy, organizing effectively means communicating effectively. Chris’ talent, experience, and leadership will be an enormous asset as AFTRA members continue to organize new workers and negotiate strong contracts."
Mr. de Haan first joined the AFTRA National staff in 2001 as National Assistant in the Entertainment, Commercials, Non-Broadcast/Industrial, and Interactive Media departments. Prior to his work at AFTRA, Mr. de Haan served as Creative Executive at Black Entertainment Television’s film studio, BET Pictures II. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. de Haan worked as managing editor of Theater magazine while attending Yale University School of Drama in New Haven, CT. He holds bachelor degrees in Theater and French from Hope College in Holland, MI.
About AFTRA
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA members work as actors, journalists, dancers, singers, announcers, hosts, comedians, disc jockeys, and other performers across the media industries including television, radio, cable, sound recordings, music videos, commercials, audio books, non-broadcast industrials, interactive games, the Internet, and other digital media. The 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters, and recording artists of AFTRA are working together to protect and improve their jobs, lives, and communities in the 21st Century. From new art forms to new technology, AFTRA members embrace change in their work and craft to enhance American culture and society. Visit AFTRA online at www.aftra.com.
