Rebecca Hanson has been named the new Director-General of NABA, the North American Broadcasters Association, the non-profit that takes action on technical, operational and regulatory issues affecting broadcasters in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
Hanson will work alongside NABA’s current Director-General Michael McEwen – who is set to retire this summer after more than 11 years in the position – before taking full responsibility on July 1. Her appointment comes following a global search for McEwen’s successor.
An experienced broadcast and media executive, Hanson’s resume includes a six-year stint as Senior Vice-President, Business Development at XM Satellite Radio, serving as Vice-President, Strategic Initiatives at Sprint Nextel, and serving for more than four years as Senior Advisor, Broadcast Spectrum at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
She has managed numerous broadcast policy issues before the FCC and U.S. Congress, including advocating for new video technology, fair compensation for cable carriage, and spectrum protection, while serving as SVP of Policy and Strategy at Sinclair Broadcast Group. She also served as General Counsel for HC2 Broadcasting overseeing the regulation of 250 full- and low-power television stations. She currently serves on the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission and is on the board of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Leadership Foundation.
“As over-the-air broadcasters move to the multi-platform streaming IP world, they remain committed to serving their listeners and viewers in the communities where they live, work and play,” said Borika Vucinic, President of the NABA Board of Directors, in an announcement. “Rebecca understands this unique role in a multimedia world and will work with our members as broadcasting adapts to a rapidly changing environment on the national, regional, and international fronts.”
“Broadcasters throughout North America are rightfully proud of their service to local communities, and NABA will continue to support that mission among the challenges and opportunities presented by new streaming technologies,” added Hanson. “But when it comes to regional matters (like spectrum and technology coordination, or equipment markets) and international issues (like spectrum usage at the ITU or copyright protection at WIPO) NABA is best situated to represent broadcasters’ common interests in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. I am honoured to be chosen to lead these efforts and look forward to working with all stakeholders in the months and years ahead.”
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