As a seasoned gamer who’s seen more game of thrones than I care to admit, I can’t help but draw parallels between Marva Smalls’ journey and a classic RPG (Role Playing Game). She started as a humble chief of staff in the political arena, then moved on to the grand stage of Nickelodeon, where she crafted her own epic quest: building credibility and fostering inclusion.
Paramount Global, currently undergoing a transition due to its acquisition by Skydance Media, is experiencing another leadership shift. Notably, an experienced executive is stepping into a significant new position in the company.
Marva Smalls, who holds the positions of Executive Vice President and Global Head of Inclusion at Paramount and Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at Nickelodeon, has announced her intention to leave these roles by the end of 2024. She will be moving on to a new position where she’ll work closely with the CEO’s office, the company board, and Skydance as Paramount transitions into its post-deal phase.
The leadership team at Paramount’s CEO office includes George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, they expressed appreciation for Marva’s significant influence in her current position at Paramount, praising her numerous accomplishments. It was at Nickelodeon where she initially embarked on her career in the entertainment industry, establishing the public affairs division and creating initiatives that boosted Paramount’s standing with regulatory bodies, advocacy groups, and community organizations.
In her new position as the head of global inclusion, Marva has been tasked with shaping a vision that aligns our company with its commitment to inclusivity. She has proven to be an invaluable ally to our board of directors and top management teams, advocating for the daily practice of inclusivity, which is central to our business ethos. Over the next two months, we’ll collaborate with Marva on a succession plan to ensure a smooth transition for her roles as the global head of inclusion and public affairs at Nickelodeon.
Prior to her tenure at Viacom in 1993, Sharon Smalls held key positions in both the U.S. Congress and South Carolina state government. She served as Chief of Staff for Congressman Robin Tallon (D-SC) and was part of Governor Richard Riley’s administration, making her the first African American to hold that position for a white Southern Member of Congress, as stated in Paramount’s bio.
Read Smalls’ memo to staff below.
Team,
Approximately a year ago, I notified the CEO about my plans to relinquish my positions as Executive Vice President and Global Head of Inclusion for Paramount, as well as Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for Nickelodeon by the end of this current year. This was a challenging decision that I had pondered deeply. Since then, I have been offered and have consented to assume a new position, starting on January 1, 2025, where I will collaborate closely with the CEO’s office, the board of directors, and Skydance in facilitating the transition to the future Paramount.
I want to thank you for your individual and collective partnership in driving a Paramount organization that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive, and one that empowers its youngest audience, kids, to be catalysts for change. I am tremendously proud of the efforts that we have undertaken to drive a culture of belonging and one where we do not have to check our individuality at the door. And I am equally proud of how we have helped sow the seeds of respect for different cultures and lived experiences with future generations.
It’s been an extraordinary 30-year journey alongside you, working together to amplify the unheard, empower the overlooked, celebrate diversity, and cultivate an open and collaborative environment at Paramount. Furthermore, it has been a unique privilege to collaborate with Shari and the board, our top executives, and management teams, consistently making inclusion a cornerstone of our business growth.
Rest assured, my dedication to this project and to each one of you is absolute and unshakable, and it will persist as I step into my new position.
For the following two months, I’ll be joining forces with George, Chris, and Brian to develop a transition strategy. I’ll share more specifics about our plans shortly. Stay tuned!
Onward,
Marva
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2024-10-29 20:26