Duke Atlanta Business Lunch: Turner Classic Movies and the Future of Classic Movies

Panel

Pola Changnon ’85

General Manager, Turner Classic Movies (TCM)

Majors: Political Science; Psychology

Pola is the general manager of Turner Classic Movies (TCM). In her role, Changnon oversees the day-to-day operations of TCM, including all strategy, business development, marketing, branding, digital initiatives, programming and on-air campaigns. Changnon is charged with growing and developing the TCM brand by implementing strategic, innovative and revenue-generating business initiatives that secure the network as a preeminent lifestyle brand. Changnon’s oversight includes implementation of dynamic and immersive brand extensions such as TCM Classic Film Festival and the TCM Classic Cruise, growing cross-platform digital opportunities, development of TCM’s first podcast, The Plot Thickens, and cultivating the network’s passionate fan base.

Prior to her current role, Changon served as senior vice president of marketing, studio production and talent for TCM where she oversaw brand management, creative vision and design, as well as strategic marketing, talent recruitment and studio production. Changnon was responsible for the development of strategic, integrated marketing and social media plans and lead the creation of all image and design of experiential elements, products, premiums and marketing for TCM’s brand extensions such as the TCM Classic Film Festival, TCM Wine Club, and TCM Backlot, official fan club of the network. She also oversaw all of TCM’s studio shoots for on-air hosts, guest programmers and original specials, including the creative process from conception to execution of each production.

Previously, Changnon served as vice president, brand creative director and on-air for TCM where she was responsible for managing and directing all on-air production and oversaw all creative brand management for the network. Changnon spearheaded the creation of the network’s brand campaign and tagline “Where Then Meets Now.”

Before joining TCM, Changnon was vice president of on-air and executive producer of program production at Cartoon Network. In this capacity, she was responsible for all on-air production for both Cartoon Network and Boomerang. Changnon came to Turner from San Francisco-based Colossal Pictures, where she was a producer. She also consulted on projects for Nickelodeon, CBS, Viacom and Hanna-Barbera. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology from Duke University and a master’s degree in film studies/screenwriting from Northwestern University.

Dave Karger ’95

Host, Turner Classic Movies (TCM)

Major: English

Dave is a host on Turner Classic Movies (TCM). An award-winning host, interviewer, and entertainment expert, Dave began guest hosting on TCM in 2016 and was named an official host in 2018. He has made more than 200 live appearances on NBC’s Today show and also serves as a Special Correspondent for IMDb. In 2018 he co-hosted ABC’s Live from the Red Carpet on Oscar night.

In 2015, Dave received the Publicists Guild Press Award honoring the year’s outstanding entertainment journalist. In 2014, he was named one of OUT Magazine’s “OUT 100,” acknowledging the most influential people in the LGBT community.

From 2012 to 2016, Dave served as Chief Correspondent at Fandango, creating and hosting the original video series “The Frontrunners,” which received a 2013 Webby Award nomination for Best Variety Series. Before that, Dave spent 17 years as a senior writer at Entertainment Weekly, where he wrote more than 50 cover stories on subjects including George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Elton John, Taylor Swift, Johnny Depp, Denzel Washington and Carrie Underwood.

In 2012 and 2013, Dave was the Academy’s official red-carpet greeter on Oscar night and only the third person ever to hold that post. Dave graduated cum laude from Duke University.