Dr. Karen Jones

Biography

Karen Jones is a communications strategist with decades of expertise in driving high-impact publicity initiatives for global entertainment brands. She pivoted her career from being a television publicity executive to communications consulting, where she focuses on brand storytelling and leadership coaching. As the former executive vice president heading communications at HBO HBO Max (now Max), Jones was a trusted advisor to C-suite executives, leading external communications and media relations, as well as crisis management. She spearheaded publicity efforts for an award-winning slate of original content. Committed to fostering equitable access to education, she mentors emerging leaders, especially those from underrecognized backgrounds. Additionally, Jones serves on the board of Ready Succeed and is currently a governor at the Television Academy, representing the Public Relations Peer Group. She began her career in entertainment publicity as a unit publicist working on feature films. Jones is an alumna of Amherst College, where she earned her BA magna cum laude in French. Born in South Los Angeles, she is a second-generation Angeleno.

Research Interests