Communications strategist Elita Fielder Adjei has been named vice president of Corporate Communications for National Geographic Content, which develops and produces premium, factual entertainment for Disney+ and National Geographic’s global linear networks. Adjei will report to Courteney Monroe, president of National Geographic Content, and Charissa Gilmore, senior vice president of Corporate Communications, Disney General Entertainment.
In this newly created role, Adjei will be responsible for the overall communications strategy that raises the brand’s profile and builds its reputation as an award-winning provider of premium factual content. She will be responsible for leading internal communications for the organization, as well as external communications focused on driving direction and integrated messaging around overall strategy and goals, DEI initiatives and internal culture.
She will oversee executive communications, promoting senior leadership and their work. She will work closely with Pam Levine and her amazing team, who remain responsible for the marketing and publicity of National Geographic programming.
The new role marks a move and promotion for Adjei. Most recently, she was director of Communications and Publicity at Disney Media Entertainment & Distribution (DMED), where she oversaw communications for the eight ABC-owned stations since joining Disney over two years ago.
She was responsible for developing strategic business communications initiatives for individual stations and the group of owned stations. She helped the station group earn recognition as a finalist from Fast Company’s World Changing Idea for “Equality in Our America Report,” along with seven Broadcast & Cable awards.
Monroe and Gilmore released a joint statement praising Adjei’s talent: “Elita’s force of nature approach to her work is a perfect fit for National Geographic. Her passion and creativity set her strategies apart and drive results, while her motivational energy is absolutely contagious. We’re excited to begin our work together.”
“It has been an honor to lead corporate communications for the ABC-owned television stations for the past two years, and I am proud of what we have achieved together during the global pandemic,” Adjei said.
“While I’ve had the privilege of leading corporate communications strategies across various industries, I couldn’t be more pleased to grow within The Walt Disney Company and lead corporate communications for the iconic National Geographic Awards content. I’m excited to have you work live with Courteney, Charissa and the talented executives and teams across Disney General Entertainment and National Geographic Content.”
Adjei is recognized for her extensive corporate communications and crisis management experience across multiple industries, including healthcare, energy, sports and entertainment. Prior to joining Disney, Adjei was the director of Media Relations and Digital Programs for Kaiser Permanente, the nation’s largest not-for-profit integrated healthcare organization. Prior to Kaiser Permanente, she served as a media relations advisor to two division CEOs for the largest not-for-profit health system in Southeast Texas, Memorial Hermann Health System.
In both roles, she managed crisis communications, served as the primary media spokesperson, and led strategic communications strategies that successfully positioned relevant healthcare organizations, their C-suite executives, and physicians as sought-after and visited healthcare experts. local and national health. the media.
Additionally, Adjei worked in the energy sector leading corporate communications for GAC, one of the world’s largest providers of shipping, logistics and marine services, and later for Aggreko, the world’s largest temporary energy provider. While at these global organizations, she developed internal and external communications strategies covering North America, Canada, South America, Dubai, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil regions.
In Adjei’s early career, her past success included developing the client and media relations department for Leigh Steinberg Enterprises, best known for the film “Jerry Maguire,” which was loosely based on it. She worked closely with Steinberg, one of the most powerful NFL negotiators in the country, later forming a boutique consulting agency, Elite Sports PR Management, which represented some of the most popular athletes in the country.
Adjei holds a Master of Arts in strategic communications from Ashland University and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from California State University, Long Beach.
Photo: Disney/Craig Sjodin*
