John Solberg, FX’s longtime head of communications and the exec who helped flip what had been a nascent cable community right into a powerhouse programming model bursting with critically acclaimed and award-winning collection, has determined to step down. Solberg introduced in a memo to employees Wednesday that he can be leaving FX when his contract expires in January.
Solberg joined FX greater than 28 years in the past, again when the community was identified largely for repeats of primetime fare like “The X-Recordsdata.” He was employed in March 1997 as director of media relations, then had promotions to VP, SVP and finally, EVP of publicity.
He was there when the community first bought into the premium scripted enterprise — and was instrumental within the profitable launch of “The Defend,” which led to a 2002 Emmy win for star Michael Chiklis. That repped the primary time an actor had snagged a statuette for a basic-cable efficiency. “Because of my previously small community,” Chiklis mentioned in his acceptance speech, however maybe most memorable was his shout-out to “SOLBERG!!”
Solberg would turn out to be a daily identify that Emmy viewers would hear in acceptance speeches as FX collection continued to hit the popular culture and important zeitgeist through the years. Most just lately, the included tear that “Shogun” had in successful nearly each award it was up for.
Final 12 months’s Emmys was one other crowing achievement for Solberg, as FX claimed the title of most wins by a community on the Emmy Awards, thanks largely to “Shogun” and “The Bear.“ FX completed the evening with 36 complete wins (with “Shogun” choosing up 18 and “The Bear” getting 11) — marking the primary time in at the very least 15 years that the highest outlet of the evening was not Netflix or HBO. And sure, on stage, Solberg was thanked but once more.
“Since FX launched our unique programming model two and a half a long time in the past, our artistic companions and exhibits couldn’t have had a greater advocate than John Solberg,” mentioned FX chairman John Landgraf. “A lot of how FX pertains to the press is based in John’s honesty, his real ardour for tales and those that inform them, and his profound respect for journalism as a occupation. After 21 years of working collectively, I’ll miss John’s day-to-day presence at FX very a lot — however he’ll all the time be a pricey buddy.”
Solberg is adored by FX staffers, and even perhaps extra so by FX writers, producers and stars. Solberg’s beloved spouse, Maeve, handed away final 12 months, and at her memorial service, various FX expertise previous and current had been there to pay their respect and assist their pal Solberg.
Right here’s the word that Solberg despatched to the corporate right now:
NOTE FROM JOHN SOLBERG
Pricey FX Household,
I’m stepping down from my place as EVP of Publicity when my contract expires in January.
Working at FX these previous 28+ years has been a magical expertise. Throughout that point, I’ve had 4 bosses: Ellen Cooper, who employed me, Mark Sonnenberg, Peter Liguori, whose imaginative and prescient endlessly modified the course of FX, and my present boss of 21 years, John Landgraf, who’s with out peer.
I’ve had THE finest job of its variety anybody may ever have. This place is particular—the most effective individuals, the most effective tradition, and finest exhibits. For me, FX has no equal.
We’re solely nearly as good as our exhibits. I’ve been blessed to work on a number of the most acclaimed, groundbreaking and culture-defining exhibits in TV historical past. I used to be given the chance to be an evangelist for thus many gifted producers, writers, actors, administrators and artisans, in lots of circumstances gaining buddies for all times alongside the way in which. It’s been an honor working for them.
I, too, am grateful for the journalists and critics I’ve labored with these a few years, and for his or her protection of FX and our exhibits. We could not all the time agree with all the pieces they write or say—as a rule, we really do—however they’re very important, unbiased arbiters of our efficiency, and scorecards matter.
Which leads me again to this place. We’ve the most effective leaders wherever. John is considered one of a sort. It’s inspiring and motivating to have an individual on the high who calls for extra from himself than anybody within the group. I can’t think about anybody at his degree who cares extra or has a greater relationship along with his colleagues, irrespective of their title. The man is the most effective. I’m so grateful for his partnership and friendship.
Nick and Gina as Leisure Presidents, and Steph as Advertising and marketing Chief are second to none. The mental and inventive horsepower of each division chief leaves me in awe every day—Kate, Jonathan, Katcher, Chuck, Kelly, Karen, Julie P., Kim, Nick, Sally, Ethan, Steve, Lance, Kenna, Kenya, Michael, Jason and Shola. I do know you and your groups will proceed to do extraordinary work, guaranteeing that FX stays a regular bearer for excellence on this trade.
To my peeps—Lauren, Roslyn, Lana, Susan, Adriana, Alana, Amanda, Jesse, John and workforce—you’re the most supremely expert publicity, commerce comms, picture publicity, expertise relations, occasions and awards groups on the planet. You elevate all the pieces you contact. I’ve been the beneficiary of your immense expertise and I’m so grateful for you all.
Lastly, I merely couldn’t have completed this job with out the love and encouragement of my sons Owen, Thomas and Nick, my daughter-in-law Annie, and most of all my spouse, Maeve. As a communications government, being married to an achieved information producer and author was a skilled cheat code that made me higher at my job. She was by my aspect all through this journey and all the time gave me invaluable counsel. It’s not the identical with out her.
The compassion and assist you’ve got prolonged my household these previous six years has meant greater than you’ll be able to ever know. It speaks to the very fiber of who you might be. The identical is true of my Disney colleagues, particularly Bob and Dana, Eric, who has been a brother to me for the previous 25 years, Joe, Debra, Sonia, Shannon, Naomi, Candice, Kristina, Paul, Michelle, Barrie, Lacey and so many others. That compassion and assist exemplify the measure of this firm and its individuals.
Whereas this has been a troublesome choice, the time is correct. FX will all the time be part of me. I’m grateful to you all.
Keep Fearless.
Godspeed,
John