Variety’s Tim Gray Exits to Take Key Role at Golden Globes, Which Reveals New Board Members and Awards Calendar

Michael Schneider
·5 min read

Variety legend Tim Gray, who first joined Hollywood’s dominant trade publication in 1981, has departed after 42 years to start a new chapter with the Golden Globes organization as executive vice president. Gray, who will also serve on its board, will work closely with Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne to evolve the entity — which was formed in June, when Dick Clark Prods. and Eldridge Industries acquired the Golden Globes’ assets, rights and properties from the now-defunct Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Gray’s appointment comes as the Golden Globes on Thursday also announced its new membership board of directors, and finalized the timetable for its 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards. The ceremony, currently scheduled to take place on January 7, 2024, does not yet have a broadcast partner.

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As exec VP of the Golden Globes, Gray will oversee its membership board of directors. Gray most recently served as senior VP at Variety; his tenure included deftly steering Variety as editor-in-chief through some of its toughest hours when it was up for sale in the early 2010s, prior to Penske Media Corp.’s acquisition and reinvention of the brand. (Since PMC and Eldridge own Dick Clark Prods. under a joint venture, Gray will remain in the Penske family.)

In 2021, Gray was named print journalist of the year by the National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards. At Variety, he created special reports tackling key issues such as Hollywood and violence, marriage equality, and criminal justice reform. He also is the author of “Variety: An Illustrated History of the World,” and coincidentally, “75 Years of the Golden Globe Awards.” Gray is the foremost authority on Variety‘s history, including its signature slanguage. When it comes to Variety icons, there’s no one like Gray, who boasts an encyclopedic knowledge of the brand. It is truly the end of an era.

“I spent 42 years of my life at Variety, so it would take a special job opportunity to get me to leave,” Gray said. “This is definitely it. Major changes are already underway at the Golden Globes and I think people in Hollywood, and around the world, will be pleased when they see integrity restored while the sense of fun remains. I’m impressed with each person on the board – their experience, reputation, and their high standards.”

As for the Globes’ newly formed membership board of directors, the group will handle selecting, ratifying and accrediting journalists as voting members for the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards. Of the nine board members in total, five are appointed independent entertainment or media professionals and four others are elected from within the Golden Globe Association membership.

Besides Gray, other board members include Judy Lung, vice president, public relations & communications, Toronto International Film Festival; speaker/entrepreneur Neil Phillips; Javier Porta Fouz, the artistic director of Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema; Argentine-American journalist and author Gerardo Prat; print, radio and TV journalist Elisabeth Sereda; and Hollywood Turkish Film and Drama Days founder/president Barbaros Tapan. Prat has been a member of the Globes (formerly HFPA) for two years, Sereda has been a member since 1994, and Tapan has been a member since 2016.

“We are proud of how the Golden Globes has evolved over the past two years and where the organization is headed,” said Hoehne in a statement. “With its unique international footprint and global perspective on the entertainment world, this esteemed and trusted board truly sets the Golden Globes apart as an organization intent on recognizing achievements in film and television with superior credibility and integrity.”

Ernst & Young LLP is back as the accountant handling Golden Globes voting, balloting and tabulation for the 51st year. Meanwhile, the Globes has also released its awards timetable, with nominations set to be announced on Monday, December 11, 2023, and the Golden Globe Awards taking place as previously announced on Sunday, January 7, 2024. The full list of the new voting body and distribution partner will be revealed by October 2, the org said.

Here’s the awards calendar for the 2023-2024 Golden Globes awards season:

Monday, October 2, 2023

Submission website opens for 2024 Golden Globe Motion Picture and Television entries

Monday, November 6, 2023

Deadline for submission of Golden Globe Motion Picture and Television entry forms

Monday, November 20, 2023

Deadline for Television nomination ballots to be sent to all voters

Monday, November 27, 2023

Deadline for receipt of Television nomination ballots by Ernst & Young at 5:00 p.m. PST

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Deadline for Motion Picture nomination ballots to be sent to all voters

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Final screening date for Motion Pictures; Final date for Golden Globes voters to attend non-exclusive, all-access Motion Picture press conferences

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Deadline for the receipt of Motion Picture nomination ballots by Ernst & Young at 5:00 p.m. PST

Monday, December 11, 2023 at 5:00 a.m. PT

Announcement of nominations for the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards

Friday, December 15, 2023

Final ballots sent to all voters

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Deadline for the receipt of final ballots by Ernst & Young at 5:00 p.m. PST

Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. PST

Presentation of the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards

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