Congratulations to Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i – Promoted to Senior Vice President, Entertainment Diversity & Communications, CBS Entertainment

Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Entertainment Diversity & Communications, CBS Entertainment.

In her position, Smith-Anoa’i will expand upon the division’s current diversity initiatives, as well as develop new programs that recruit, nurture and hire diverse talent to work in front of and behind the camera.  In addition, she will serve as the entertainment liaison to multi-cultural coalition groups and provide outreach to agencies, guilds and other industry organizations that represent diverse talent.

Smith-Anoa’i will continue to report to Nina Tassler, Chairman, CBS Entertainment, on new and existing programs that foster diversity across the division and to Chris Ender, Executive Vice President, Communications, CBS Corporation for her ongoing CBS Communications activities.   She will also continue to work closely with Josie Thomas the Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for CBS Corporation.

“Tiffany is a dedicated and energetic executive that has played a strategic role in expanding CBS’s diversity efforts both within our Entertainment Group and among the many organizations that represent diverse talent,” said Tassler. “She works diligently to promote an all-inclusive philosophy throughout the creative process while her unbridled passion and strong voice has resulted in new Network diversity initiatives that have created career opportunities for diverse writers, directors and performers.  We look forward to Tiffany continuing to advance the dialogue of diversity with all of our constituents.”

Since being appointed Vice President, Entertainment Diversity & Communications, CBS Entertainment  in 2009,  Smith-Anoa’i has created and launched “CBS On Tour,” a community outreach program in which executives visit schools to educate and encourage students interested in entertainment careers;  expanded the writer selection process for “The CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase;” implemented an annual symposium with casting directors to strategize on best practices to diversify the casting process; partnered with GLAAD to host learning workshops and joined forces with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media to encourage roles for women in front of and behind the camera.

In addition to her executive duties, Smith-Anoa’i, who first joined CBS Entertainment in 2000 as a Senior Publicist for primetime series, continues to draw upon her background and talents as a network publicist, leading West Coast efforts on various projects and network specials, including the annual Grammy Awards®.

Prior to her work at CBS, Smith-Anoa’i was responsible for all aspects of publicity and promotions for Image Public Relations.  There, she took on a multitude of projects, including organizing the global press outreach for “Sinbad’s Soul Music Festival.”  Preceding her position at Image Public Relations, Smith-Anoa’i worked for NIKE, Inc. where she launched their NIKETOWN stores in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.

Smith-Anoa’i’s community service and charity work includes the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Girl Up and Diamond in the Raw. Also, she maintains a close relationship with her alma mater, Howard University, where she graduated with honors from the School of Communications.  In 2013, Howard University presented her with the “Global Visionary Award” for Outstanding Leadership in Diversity and Communications.