Debra Birnbaum Joins Gold Derby As Editor-In-Chief; Founder Tom O’Neil To Become President Emeritus
Veteran media strategist and journalist Debra Birnbaum has been named Editor-In-Chief for awards prediction platform Gold Derby. She succeeds in the role Tom O’Neil, Gold Derby’s Founder and President, who will step into the role of President Emeritus.
Birnbaum, who starts Sept. 16, joins Gold Derby from Amazon MGM Studios where she was global head of awards for the past six years. This marks her return to Penske Media Corporation; Birnbaum spent five years as the executive editor, TV, for Variety before heading to Amazon. Variety and Gold Derby as well as Deadline are owned by PMC.
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“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Tom O’Neil for his visionary leadership and tremendous contributions to Gold Derby,” said Jay Penske, Chairman, Founder, CEO, PMC. “Tom created Gold Derby from the ground up and made it an online destination for insightful award predictions and industry analysis. We know that Debra is the ideal person to build upon this legacy as we head into the 25th year of the brand.”
Birnbaum, who brings over 25 years of experience covering news and entertainment to her new role, will lead Gold Derby’s coverage and analysis of major awards races, including the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Golden Globes. Based in Los Angeles, she will report into Tom Finn, EVP & General Manager, Operations, PMC.
“There is no one more uniquely qualified than Debra to lead the Gold Derby brand into the future,” O’Neil said. “I eagerly welcome her to take the reins and am excited to see where she will lead us into our exciting future.”
As global head of awards for Amazon MGM Studios, Birnbaum oversaw awards strategy for the studio’s slate of original films and series. During her tenure there, Amazon MGM Studios set new studio records for awards, including 12 Academy Award nominations in 2021, 68 Emmy Award nominations in 2023, and 16 Golden Globe Award nominations in 2023.
In her role as executive editor, TV, for Variety, Birnbaum led television news and awards coverage for the trade publication’s multiple platforms, including the weekly print edition, Variety.com, and special awards season issues. She previously served as president and editor-in-chief of TV Guide Magazine, where she was behind the annual “Fan Favorites” cover contest and the “Hot List” party. She has also worked for Redbook, George, More, The New York Post, and Us Weekly, overseeing entertainment coverage.
“It’s truly an honor to be handed the reins of Gold Derby,” said Birnbaum. “I know firsthand how much respect and support the entertainment industry has for the site, and I’m eager to expand its profile as the pre-eminent home for awards predictions.”
Birnbaum is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the Television Academy, and the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She also recently joined the Board of Directors of the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.
Her work has earned recognition from the L.A. Press Club, the Publicists Guild of America, the Webby Awards, the Clio Awards, Promax, and the Television Academy, notably a Los Angeles Area Emmy Award for producing Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series.
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