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Exclusive: The Golden Globes are back in business with Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis. The PR agency has come on board for the upcoming 81st Golden Globe Awards, which will take place on January 7, 2024, working with Dick Clark Productions and its partners on communications efforts.

After representing the Globes for more than a decade, Sunshine Sachs stepped down from the account in March 2022, amid the fallout from the bombshell 2021 LA Times report about the organization’s lack of diversity and questionable ethical and financial practices.

At the time, the top communications firm left the door open, saying in their letter to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association that they “continue to believe in the ability of the HFPA to positively transform” and that “we will always cheer for reform and commitment to diversity and look forward to seeing your continued growth as an organization.”

Since then, Dick Clark Productions and Eldridge acquired all the Golden Globes’ assets,...

New light has been shed on Leonardo DiCaprio’s relationship with a fugitive Malaysian businessman who’s wanted by international authorities in connection with a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme.

Bloomberg Businessweek reviewed previously undisclosed FBI documents detailing its grilling of the actor as the agency sought to understand the nature of his personal and professional partnership with Jho Low, the accused mastermind of a colossal scheme to fleece a sovereign wealth fund known as the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal, which has led to the conviction of the country’s former prime minister for money laundering and abuse of power. Low was charged by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2021 for pursuing a “back channel lobbying campaign” to drop the government’s 1Mdb investigation. A fugitive for roughly eight years, Low is believed to be residing in China. An Interpol Red Notice was issued for his arrest in 2016.

An FBI special agent,...

Top communications agency Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis set several promotions on Wednesday, bolstering executive leadership in offices across the country.

Amelia Makin and Andrew Stein have been promoted to executive vice president roles, while Gabrielle Lee was elevated to senior vice president, diversity equity inclusion and accessibility and multicultural communications. Hollywood fixture Brooke Blumberg was named senior vice president of awards and content. Additionally, the firm also welcomed Alejandro Grau last year as senior vice president, leading the company’s San Francisco office.

”These announcements recognize the outstanding contributions and leadership that this group of executives provide, with each bringing unique skills and experiences that has enabled us to think bigger, build upon the strength of our culture, and deliver an immensely diverse set of work for our clients,” said CEO Shawn Sachs. “We’re excited to both promote from within and add new leadership with the expansion into San...

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis has named five executives to new senior roles as the firm expands its leadership team across the company.

Amelia Makin and Andrew Stein have been promoted to Executive Vice President roles, while Gabrielle Lee is being elevated into the role of Senior Vice President, Diversity Equity Inclusion & Accessibility & Multicultural Communications, and Brooke Blumberg to Senior Vice President, Awards and Content. The firm also welcomed Alejandro Grau, Senior Vice President, to lead the company’s San Francisco office which he started last year.

The company, founded in New York in 1992 by Ken Sunshine, has grown to more than 250 employees across six offices, with services across public relations; earned, owned and paid marketing; and in-house creative and content development. Earlier this year, partners Keleigh Thomas Morgan and Heather Lylis were elevated to co-presidents, with the agency updating its name.

”These announcements recognize the outstanding contributions and leadership that this group of executives provide,...

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Kelly Marie Tran is developing a biopic about one of her close friends, the civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, alongside Significant Productions and Madica Productions.

The Star Wars and Raya and the Last Dragon actor is attached to star as Nguyen in a feature that would depict her transformation from a survivor of college sexual assault to an activist for survivors’ rights, including penning a Survivors’ Bill of Rights (which inspired the federal law passed in 2016) and founding the civil rights accelerator Rise. Earlier this month, Nguyen was present at the United Nations session where the general assembly adopted a resolution to address justice for sexual violence survivors, which Rise helped to champion.

“Over the years, Amanda’s activism has changed the lives of billions, as she continues to make our world safer for sexual assault survivors everywhere,” Tran said in a statement.

Entertainment PR biggie Sunshine Sachs said Wednesday that it is elevating current partners Keleigh Thomas Morgan and Heather Lylis to co-presidents. As part of the move, the agency will now be known as Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis.

Founder Ken Sunshine and CEO Shawn Sachs revealed the news today in a memo to staff and clients.

“Heather and Keleigh have been instrumental in leading the agency to new heights,” they wrote. “In their time here, they have helped to grow the agency from a small boutique PR firm of less than 10 people to a full-service consultancy with more than 250 employees and offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Austin and San Francisco. Their leadership has always been invaluable but especially so during the pandemic when they helped guide our team and clients through a very uncertain time. And, as we look to the future (hopefully free from the...

Sunshine Sachs is undergoing a name change as it promotes two partners at the agency to co-presidents.

On Wednesday, the organization announced it will now be called Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis.

Morgan comes from Keleigh Thomas Morgan and Lylis is from Heather Lylis. They’ve both been called instrumental by the company in leading the agency to new heights, helping grow the PR firm of less than 10 to more than 250 employees, with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Austin and San Francisco.

They were praised in a release for helping guide the team and clients through the uncertainties of the pandemic. “And, as we look to the future (hopefully free from the pandemic), we know we are strengthened by their perspective and vision,” founder Ken Sunshine said in a release.

Sunshine founded the company three decades ago, with Shawn Sachs, who is CEO, joining in...

Allyance Media Group and Madica Productions are uniting for a new creative partnership that will see Amg’s Diga Studios, helmed by former MTV president Tony Disanto, and Madica collaborate on the development and production of TV, film, digital and podcasting projects. Additionally, each company will be taking an equity stake in the other to solidify the strategic relationship.

“This deal gives us a key strategic partnership with Tony Disanto, Shawn Strickland and the entire Allyance Media team which will enable us to continue to grow across all aspects of our business. With several projects already in development the partnership was a natural next step in our relationship” said Madica co-founders Jeff Tahler and Shawn Sachs.

The partnership will enable Diga to tap into Madica’s relationships through its sister company, global PR and communications firm Sunshine Sachs. It will elevate the sensibility the label is known for, while providing...

An intimate group of executives, talent and journalists gathered in Hollywood on Friday evening to celebrate the life of Joyce Sevilla, a veteran publicist and brand marketing whiz who died unexpectedly last week.

Held only blocks away from the bustle of the Academy Awards setup at Hollywood and Highland, restauranteur Salvatore Aurora closed his Sunset Blvd. property Sycamore Tavern for Sevilla’s friends and family. The sporty hangout was transformed by luxurious linens, hundreds of candles, and snapshots of Sevilla’s adventures blanketing the walls.

The evening was hosted by Sevilla’s inner circle — public relations firm Shadow’s chief executive Brad Zeifman, “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race” contestant and medical executive Corinne Kaplan, Bwr Public Relations senior vice president Gary Mantoosh, Thirsty Media co-founder Casey Brennan, and BrandLink Communications co-founder Greg Link.

Many shared stories of Sevilla’s outsized personality — described by Mantoosh as a “tour de force” — and...

Justin Timberlake has a new press representative. The singer has signed with Sunshine Sachs, the firm that represents Janet Jackson, Variety has learned. He will be handled by Shawn Sachs, Paula Witt and Maggie Faircloth. Witt’s clients include Jackson and Aerosmith while Faircloth reps Solange.

The company’s founder Ken Sunshine first advised Timberlake back in 2004 following the infamous Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction at the Super Bowl that year. Sunshine Sachs declined comment.

Timberlake’s press had previously been handled by M2M Construction. The parting was mutual. He had worked with the same public relations strategist for more than 20 years, starting with his days in *Nsync.

Timberlake recently wrapped the North American leg of his “Man of the Woods” tour where he sold out all 2018 arena dates. He’s currently playing in Europe and heads back to the U.S. on Sept. 19.

In addition, the 37-year-old has a flourishing acting career,...

Jenny Daly’s T Group Productions has signed an overall co-production deal with Sunshine Sachs sister company Madica Productions. Under the pact, Madica will create, develop and produce unscripted and scripted programming with a focus of taking brands, talent and IP and converting them into content that will be co-produced with T Group in the U.S., Canada and internationally. Sunshine Sachs principal Shawn Sachs will work alongside Madica's Managing Director Jeff Tahler…...

Hollywood publicity firm Sunshine Sachs has canceled its annual, bicoastal holiday celebrations as a gesture of support for immigrants, women, Lgbt people and the environment. The decision was a gesture to “defend the values we hold dear,” according to an email sent Tuesday. “We’ve been talking a lot about how to protect the things we care about, post-election,” CEO Shawn Sachs told TheWrap. The firm’s clients include companies like Facebook and stars like Natalie Portman, Ben Affleck and Leonardo DiCaprio. Sixteen different organizations — including the Aclu, Human Rights Campaign and the Immigrant Defense Fund — will receive donations from a budget usually reserved.

Sunshine Sachs’ Principals Ken Sunshine and Shawn Sachs have elevated Heather Lylis and Keleigh Thomas Morgan to Partner. They will join Sunshine and Sachs as the only other partners at the firm. The PR firm started 23 years ago to service a wide variety of clients. Sunshine and Sachs said their new partners have been invaluable over the past decade in growing the firm. Thomas Morgan, who runs west coast operations for the firm, previously served as Senior Vice President of the company. She started in New York, relocated to Los Angeles in 2007 and her client list includes Jennifer Lopez, Tyler Perry, Natalie Portman, Andre Benjamin, Mariska Hargitay, Lee Daniels, The Golden Globes, Parkes MacDonald, Ivanhoe Pictures, Cinetic, and The Geffen Playhouse. Lylis has helped expand the firm’s media relations, social media, creative, sponsorship, talent integration, and events work with clients in the non-profit, corporate, media, and advertising industries, including Feeding America,...

Sunshine Sachs’ Principals Ken Sunshine and Shawn Sachs have elevated Heather Lylis and Keleigh Thomas Morgan to Partner. They will join Sunshine and Sachs as the only other partners at the firm. The PR firm started 23 years ago to service a wide variety of clients. Sunshine and Sachs said their new partners have been invaluable over the past decade in growing the firm. Thomas Morgan, who runs west coast operations for the firm, previously served as Senior Vice President of the company. She started in New York, relocated to Los Angeles in 2007 and her client list includes Jennifer Lopez, Tyler Perry, Natalie Portman, Andre Benjamin, Mariska Hargitay, Lee Daniels, The Golden Globes, Parkes MacDonald, Ivanhoe Pictures, Cinetic, and The Geffen Playhouse. Lylis has helped expand the firm’s media relations, social media, creative, sponsorship, talent integration, and events work with clients in the non-profit, corporate, media, and advertising industries, including Feeding America,...

Sunshine Sachs has promoted Heather Lylis and Keleigh Thomas Morgan to partner, the New York-based publicity firm said Friday. They are the only two partners at the company beyond its eponymous leaders, Ken Sunshine and Shawn Sachs. Both Lylis and Thomas Morgan have been at Sunshine Sachs for more than a decade, with Lylis overseeing the firm's expansion into Washington, DC and Thomas Morgan running the show in Los Angeles. Also read: Veteran Publicists Ken Sunshine, Shawn Sachs Launch Madica Productions Lylis represents corporate clients such as Girl Scouts of America, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Facebook, and has expanded the firm's media.

Heather Lylis and Keleigh Thomas Morgan have been named partners at Sunshine Sachs, principals Ken Sunshine and Shawn Sachs announced Friday. Both are vets at the New York-based PR company with Lylis joining in 2003 and Morgan, who runs west coast operations for the firm, joining in 2004. They will join Sunshine and Sachs as the only other partners at the firm. Lylis has helped expand the firm’s media relations, social media, creative, sponsorship, talent integration and events work with clients in the non-profit, corporate, media and advertising industries. Her clients have included Feeding America, Girl Scouts of

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Sunshine Sachs, a public relations firm whose clients include Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, is getting into TV and film production by way of launching a sister company called Madica Productions. Sunshine Sachs principals Ken Sunshine and Shawn Sachs announced the formation of the new company Thursday, June 27, and said it will be run by managing director Jeff Tahler, who had spent six years as a senior vp with FremantleMedia. Madica’s slate will include nonscripted content that will make use of some of the clients -- not only people but also corporations, brands, labor unions

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Veteran publicists Ken Sunshine and Shawn Sachs are launching Madica Productions, a sister company to their powerhouse PR firm Sunshine Sachs that aims to be a full-service development and production company. Madica will develop content for film, TV and digital platforms, with a slate that will include non-scripted and digital content stemming from the firm's diverse lineup of clients. Jeff Tahler will serve as managing director of Madica. He previously spent six years as senior VP of acquisitions and development for FremantleMedia's global content division, where he oversaw the creation of reality...

Exclusive: I’ve seen PR companies become part of ad agencies, and I’ve seen management companies become generators of film and TV content. But here’s a new one on me — a publicity firm branching full scale into the production business. Sunshine Sachs’ principals Ken Sunshine and Shawn Sachs, who do PR for a great client list that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck, Jason Statham, Natalie Portman, Tommy Mottola and Tyler Perry, have launched Madica Productions. This is a sister company that aims to be a full-service development and production house. Madica will develop content for digital, TV and film platforms, with a slate that will include nonscripted and digital content stemming from the firm’s diverse lineup of clients. The managing director of the spinoff company will be Jeff Tahler, who joined the firm as a partner after a six-year run as FremantleMedia Svp Acquisitions and Development for its Global Content Division.

Exclusive: I’ve seen PR companies become part of ad agencies, and I’ve seen management companies become generators of film and TV content. But here’s a new one on me — a publicity firm branching full scale into the production business. Sunshine Sachs’ principals Ken Sunshine and Shawn Sachs, who do PR for a great client list that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck, Jason Statham, Natalie Portman, Tommy Mottola and Tyler Perry, have launched Madica Productions. This is a sister company that aims to be a full-service development and production house. Madica will develop content for digital, TV and film platforms, with a slate that will include nonscripted and digital content stemming from the firm’s diverse lineup of clients. The managing director of the spinoff company will be Jeff Tahler, who joined the firm as a partner after a six-year run as FremantleMedia Svp Acquisitions and Development for its Global Content Division.