Former studio executive Chris Petrikin has joined Actum, the global consulting firm whose reach ranges from the halls of government to Silicon Valley.
Petrikin joins the company as a managing director with the goal of building up the entertainment and media divisions of the company, which is led by former Speaker of the California Assembly Fabian Nuñez, former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, among others.
Petrikin has a PR career that goes back over two decades. He served as the chief communications officer at Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox and the William Morris Agency, where he built and led PR, branding and corporate social responsibility teams, developed comprehensive communication strategies, and managed high-level corporate interactions that emphasized meaningful global engagement.
He began his career as a business journalist for national publications as well as Hollywood outlet Variety and Inside.com, an early internet media site. Most recently, he founded and led his own indie consulting firm, Petrikin Collective.
“As the entertainment and media landscape grows more complex, companies need advisors who profoundly understand the intricacies of this industry,” said Actum partner Stefan Friedman. “With Chris joining a team that is unrivaled in the realm of communications, Actum can now provide the industry a rare mix of strategic perspective, crisis management, tactical execution and insider connections to help our clients succeed.”
According to Thursday’s announcement, Petrikin will work with Actum’s professionals to help entertainment and media companies and industry leaders through “the complexities of reputational threats, competitive dynamics, and market disruptions. His approach, grounded in orchestrating corporate communications, guiding C-suite executives, and crafting impactful narratives, is shaped by his extensive experience in both the entertainment industry and journalism.”