The Telly Awards Welcomes Managing Director Amanda Needham

The Telly Awards, the world’s largest award honoring excellence in video and television across all screens, appoints Amanda Needham as its newest Managing Director. With a rich background in writing, journalism and filmmaking, Amanda’s leadership builds on the Tellys growth under the strategic guidance and thoughtful stewardship of Sabrina Dridje. Ushering the Tellys into its next chapter, Needham leads with fostering collaboration, generating industry insights and forging strategic partnerships to frame the increasingly hybrid future of entertainment and branded content.

"Amanda reflects the industry we serve with her unique experience across both creating video and television and supporting the ecosystem and community around it,” expresses The Telly Awards Executive Director, Sabrina Dridje. “From building impact campaigns for features, leading a production company and her experience as a video journalist, Amanda is uniquely positioned to champion our industry. We could not be more excited to welcome her to the team in guiding the Tellys in its next chapter.”

The 45-year-old Telly Awards have evolved with the industry over the past 6 years, cementing its role as the convenor of brilliant ideas, visionary creative and topical conversations. From honoring the work of legacy media entities to embracing and recognizing the many stakeholders, change-makers and creative entities that comprise the realms of entertainment and advertising, the Tellys focus on thought leadership has better positioned and equipped them to honor the new and ever-changing digital landscape. In the past year alone, The Telly Awards received an astounding 12,000 entries, turning what was once considered a regional initiative into a global force, expanding its programming across all screens. 

“I’ve worked at the intersection of new technology and social impact in video and television throughout my career, and produced documentaries, commercials, branded content and social campaigns,” shares Needham. "I look forward to offering my perspective to address challenging ethical questions and continuing the conversation around higher level creativity, while leading the Tellys into the next phase as the industry continues to evolve."

A Fulbright scholar in oral history with a diverse background, Amanda's expertise ranges from her early career as a video journalist at the San Francisco Chronicle to her role as a documentary filmmaker for the Guggenheim Foundation and Al Jazeera Interactive. Serving as an advisor for Sundance-bound feature films and drawing from her multifaceted skill set, Amanda brings a global perspective and natural curiosity to the industry's evolving landscape. Amanda's client roster includes Citi Bike, Biden/Harris, Philips, 350.org, and the United Nations, a testament to her significant impact across various industries. She has contributed to diverse projects across digital content, feature films, short documentaries, live events, radio, branded content, and experiential campaigns, serving a broad spectrum of clients, including corporations, non-profits, start-ups, and established news institutions.