Chris Witherspoon Email & Phone Number

New York, Ny, Us

New York, New York, United States

As an Entertainment Contributor for NBC News and MSNBC, I leverage my expertise to provide insightful analysis and commentary on the dynamic landscape of the entertainment industry. Regularly featured on MSNBC, NBC's TODAY, NBC’s Nightly News, and NBC News Now, I contribute thought-provoking perspectives on the latest trends, celebrity interviews, and cultural phenomena.

New York, New York, United States

As the Founder and CEO of PopViewers, I lead a dynamic team in the development and realization of innovative tech/entertainment solutions. Spearheading the company through its initial phases, I am responsible for shaping the vision, securing seed funding, and steering the strategic direction of the organization.Key Responsibilities:Visionary Leadership: Setting the strategic vision for PopViewers, I drive the company's mission to revolutionize the intersection of technology and entertainment, offering unique and engaging experiences to users.Startup Development: Successfully navigating the challenges of a startup, I oversee the day-to-day operations, ensuring the efficient execution of plans and initiatives. This includes managing finances, human resources, and key partnerships.Investor Relations: Leading the efforts in securing seed funding, I engage with investors, present the company's value proposition, and foster relationships to fuel the growth and expansion of PopViewers.Innovation and Product Development: Guiding the development of cutting-edge technology solutions, I collaborate with the product team to create and refine offerings that meet the evolving needs of the entertainment landscape.Market Positioning: Crafting and implementing effective marketing strategies, I position PopViewers as a leader in the tech/entertainment sector, cultivating brand recognition and user engagement.

New York, New York

As a Correspondent at Fandango, I played a pivotal role in connecting movie enthusiasts with Hollywood's brightest stars through engaging and exclusive content.Key Contributions:Hosted Original Video Content: Captivating audiences with my on-screen presence, I hosted original video content that offered a fresh and entertaining perspective on the world of cinema. From red carpet events to behind-the-scenes exclusives, I brought moviegoers closer to the magic of the silver screen.High-Profile Celebrity Interviews: Conducted in-depth and high-profile interviews with A-list celebrities, including luminaries such as Hugh Jackman, Will Smith, Scarlett Johansson, Viola Davis, and Jordan Peele. These interviews provided audiences with unique insights into the lives and perspectives of their favorite stars.Produced and Hosted "Movies That Matter" Series: Spearheaded the production and hosting of the original series "Movies That Matter," where I interviewed up-and-coming diverse film stars in Hollywood. This series not only celebrated the rising talent in the industry but also underscored the importance of diverse voices and narratives in cinema.Television Appearances: Regularly represented Fandango on network and cable TV news programs, contributing expert commentary on the latest film releases, industry trends, and celebrity news. This role allowed me to showcase my deep knowledge of the entertainment world while engaging with a diverse audience.Media Expertise: Leveraging my passion for film and entertainment, I seamlessly translated complex industry topics into accessible and engaging content. This not only bolstered Fandango's presence but also established me as a trusted voice in the entertainment journalism landscape.

Greater New York City Area

As a CNN On-Air Entertainment Analyst, I brought a unique blend of expertise and insight to breaking entertainment news, contributing to the network's coverage of significant industry events and high-profile celebrity stories.Key Contributions:Breaking News Reporting: Delivered timely and original reporting during crucial moments, including the unexpected passing of global music icon Prince. My coverage provided CNN viewers with up-to-the-minute updates, insights, and perspectives surrounding this significant event.#Oscarssowhite Movement Coverage: Played a pivotal role in covering the impactful #Oscarssowhite movement, providing in-depth analysis and commentary on the industry's response to diversity and inclusion challenges. My insights added depth to CNN's coverage of this critical cultural conversation.Reporting on Annual Award Shows: Reported on and analyzed annual award shows, offering a comprehensive perspective on winners, controversies, and cultural moments. This included coverage of major events such as the Oscars, Grammys, and other industry milestones.Pitching Stories and Long-Form Content: Actively pitched entertainment stories and long-form content ideas to both CNN dayside and primetime show teams. This involved a strategic approach to storytelling, bringing unique angles and perspectives to the forefront.Providing Sources for Breaking Exclusives: Established and maintained a robust network of sources and contacts within the entertainment industry, contributing to CNN's ability to break exclusive stories. My role involved providing credible and reliable information to support the network's commitment to accurate reporting.This multifaceted role allowed me to not only analyze breaking entertainment news but also contribute to the editorial direction of CNN's entertainment coverage, ensuring a well-rounded and insightful presentation to the audience.

New York City

As the inaugural Entertainment Editor for NBC News' theGrio.com, I played a pioneering role in shaping the editorial direction and cultural impact of the entertainment section.Key Achievements:Established the Entertainment Vertical: Led the creation and launch of the entertainment vertical on theGrio.com, bringing a fresh and diverse perspective to the platform. This included crafting content strategies that resonated with a wide audience and reflected theGrio.com's commitment to inclusive storytelling.Curated Diverse and Impactful Content: Spearheaded the curation of content that highlighted underrepresented voices and stories within the entertainment industry.Booked and Conducted High-Profile Celebrity Interviews: Secured and conducted exclusive interviews with industry giants, including Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee, Rihanna, and Whoopi Goldberg. These interviews provided readers with unique insights and perspectives from some of the most influential figures in entertainment.Comprehensive Event Coverage: Oversaw comprehensive coverage of entertainment news, including major industry events, film premieres, television launches, and exclusive interviews. This role required a keen understanding of the intersectionality of entertainment, culture, and social issues.Team Management: Managed a team of 10+ freelance entertainment writers, overseeing content selection and editing copy. This involved ensuring theGrio.com's editorial standards were met while fostering a collaborative and creative environment.Media Recognition: Under my leadership, theGrio's entertainment content garnered the attention of major media outlets, including Entertainment Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter, People, and the LA Times. This recognition solidified theGrio.com's position as a respected and influential voice in the entertainment journalism landscape.

Nyc

As the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of NBC Universal, Jeff Zucker, I played a pivotal role in supporting the executive leadership, ensuring seamless operations and enhancing the overall executive experience.Key Responsibilities:Event Coordination: Orchestrated special events for Jeff Zucker, including a notable political fundraiser for Senator Kamala Harris and top leadership conferences for Jeff's direct reports. These events were meticulously executed, contributing to a positive organizational culture and reinforcing NBC Universal's commitment to impactful initiatives.VIP Tours and Guest Relations: Facilitated VIP tours of NBC Studios and 30 Rockefeller Plaza for high-profile guests, offering an insider's view of NBC Universal's iconic locations. This hands-on approach to guest relations enhanced the organization's reputation and fostered positive relationships with key stakeholders.Executive Support: Managed the office space and equipment needs for NBC Universal traveling executives, ensuring a seamless work environment for executive leadership. This involved coordinating logistics, scheduling, and maintaining efficient communication channels.Ticket Fulfillment: Handled VIP ticket requests for esteemed NBC Universal productions, including Saturday Night Live, Today Show, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. This involved meticulous coordination to fulfill requests, contributing to the positive relationship between NBC Universal and high-profile guests.