CMA Ups McNelly, Adds Shank
• The Country Music Association (CMA) announced two enhancements to its Communications team, starting with the promotion of Catharine McNelly to Sr. Director of Communications, overseeing the organization’s media and communications efforts, while Stephanie Shank joins the CMA Communications crew as Manager of Production & Talent Relations.
McNelly (left) is upped from Director of Communications, a position she has held for over a year. In her new role, she will lead the Communications department, developing strategic media plans for CMA’s television properties and live events as well as organizational initiatives. Before joining CMA, McNelly worked as a publicist for Columbia Records and Atlantic Records. McNelly reports to Damon Whiteside, CMA Chief Marketing Officer, who said, “Catharine has been a valuable leader to the Communications team and has brought a spirit of collaboration, passion, innovation and media expertise to the role since joining CMA in 2017,” said Whiteside. “She and her dedicated team will continue to develop new, more effective ways of driving CMA’s strategic communications initiatives including the CMA Foundation, while further supporting our organization’s growth and expansion.” McNelly’s team also includes Manager of Media Relations, Krista Dial and Communications Coordinator, Lisa Valentine. She can be reached at cmcnelly@cmaworld.com.
• Stephanie Shank (right) has worked as a contractor for CMA since August 2018, assisting the Communications department. In her new role as Manager of Production & Talent Relations, Shank will continue to work with the Communications team, serving as a production and planning liaison between internal departments and talent representatives while serving as the point person for talent and media at all CMA Events. Prior to CMA, Shank worked for FlyteVu and for dick clark productions in Los Angeles as Manager of Communications and Talent Relations. Shank reports to Catharine McNelly and can be reached at sshank@cmaworld.com.
