Christina Kounelias served as the Chief Marketing Officer at Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Greek – American woman is one of the Academy employees who managed to bring successfully the Oscars into the 21st century. In June 2017 she was elected as governor of the Academy’s Public Relations Branch.

Kounelias is a second generation Greek-American who grew up in Parsippany, New Jersey. She received her bachelor in Economics from Bucknell University.

Kounelias from March 2016 holds the position of the EVP, Worldwide Marketing & Communications at “Participant Media”. She leads Participant’s global strategy for all marketing and communications efforts as she oversees all creative marketing efforts for film, media and promotions, corporate communications, events, audience engagement, and research. C. Kounelias is responsible for shaping Participant’s pro-social narrative, as well as leveraging the company’s content through cross-platform initiatives.

Prior to “Participant Media”, she served as the first-ever chief marketing officer at the “Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)”. At the Academy, she oversaw all marketing, communications and digital media for the organization’s global initiatives including the Oscars  and the Academy Museum. C. Kounelias also spearheaded a significant rebranding effort. Under her leadership, the organization grew its social media presence to over 9.2 million followers and dramatically transformed its online user experience.

Before joining the “AMPAS”, C. Kounelias held senior posts in marketing and communications at “Warner Bros” from 2008 until 2011, at “New Line Cinema” from 2001 till 2008, at “Fox Broadcasting Company” from 1997 until 2001 and “Miramax Films” from 1987 till 1991.

Christina Kounelias serves on the board of directors of “Camp del Corazon”, a nonprofit summer camp for children with heart disease and is also a member of “AMPAS”.