Participant Media Appoints Sam Neswick Chief Strategy Officer

LOS ANGELES (May 4, 2015) – Participant Media has named Sam Neswick to the newly created position of Chief Strategy Officer. The announcement was made today by Participant founder, chairman and interim CEO, Jeff Skoll, to whom he reports.

Neswick joined Participant in 2014 as Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning. In his new role, he will oversee the company’s strategy, investments, innovation and corporate development. In addition, Neswick will head up strategic partnerships for Participant, in line with the company’s mission to create entertainment that inspires social change.

Commenting on the announcement, Skoll said, “Sam will continue to work closely with me and the senior team at Participant to refine the company’s growth strategy, and identify opportunities that will enhance our reach and help accelerate positive social change around the world.”

Prior to joining Participant in 2014, Neswick held multiple positions at The Walt Disney Company in Corporate Strategy and Business Development, where he worked on film, television and digital media strategy and deal execution, including the acquisition of Lucasfilm. He also managed several expansion initiatives for Disney’s Parks and Resorts businesses in Asia and Europe. Prior to Disney, Neswick worked in management consulting at Bain & Company. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a BA from Harvard College.

About Participant Media

Participant Media is a leading media company dedicated to entertainment that inspires and compels social change. Founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll, Participant combines the power of a good story well told with opportunities for viewers to get involved. Participant’s more than 60 films include Lincoln, Contagion, The Help, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Food, Inc., Waiting For ‘Superman,’ CITIZENFOUR and An Inconvenient Truth. Participant has also introduced more than a dozen original series, including “Please Like Me,” “Hit Record On TV with Joseph Gordon-Levitt,” and “Fortitude,” for its television network, Pivot. Participant’s digital hub, TakePart, serves millions of socially conscious consumers each month with daily articles, videos, and opportunities to take action. Follow Participant Media on Twitter at @_Participant and on Facebook.