In strategic moves that demonstrate The Hollywood Reporter‘s dominance in the awards space and future-facing content like artificial intelligence and technology, the publication has named Steven Zeitchik as senior editor, technology and politics, and promoted Beatrice Verhoeven, formerly deputy awards editor, to awards editor. THR is also thrilled to welcome longtime contributor Brande Victorian on staff as deputy awards editor.
Scott Feinberg, executive editor, awards, will continue to lead THR’s awards content as the expert behind Feinberg Forecast, the voice of his Awards Chatter podcast and co-moderator of THR’s esteemed Oscar roundtables.
“Beatrice’s sharp insight and Brande’s authoritative voice have long strengthened our awards coverage, and we’re thrilled to see them take on these elevated roles, further bolstering our already stellar reporting,” said THR co-editors-in-chief Maer Roshan and Shirley Halperin. “At the same time, we remain deeply committed to tackling the transformative issues impacting our industry, particularly in the technology space. It made perfect sense to move Steven into this critical role, where his expertise and experience will be absolutely invaluable. We couldn’t be prouder of this team and look forward to watching them continue to amplify and expand our coverage in these important areas.”
Verhoeven will lead THR’s awards content in the special and weekly issues of the publication’s magazine, which cover the Emmy and Oscar seasons’ projects and players. “I’m so excited to work together with Brande to spearhead our coverage of one of the most vital parts of the entertainment industry,” said Verhoeven, who, prior to joining THR in 2021, worked her way up from intern to film editor at TheWrap, where she wrote investigative pieces while covering awards (she herself has won several Los Angeles Press Club prizes). “It’s been an honor to be on THR‘s awards team for the last three and a half years — I look forward to continuing my journey in this new role.” Verhoeven was born and raised in Germany before moving to Los Angeles and is a USC graduate school alum.
Victorian is a writer, editor, producer and on-camera correspondent. As a regular valued contributor to The Hollywood Reporter for the past two years, Victorian has contributed heavily to awards and television content, as well as covered the red carpet and represented the brand on panels. As the former senior entertainment editor at ESSENCE magazine, Victorian oversaw all content related to TV, film, books, music, podcast, sports and media across print and digital, as well as booked all talent for covers, features and marquee events like Black Women in Hollywood, while covering awards season and its red carpets. She led MadameNoire to become the No. 1 site for Black internet users, and before covering entertainment, Victorian worked in medical publishing as the first woman and first Black editor-in-chief of audiology trade magazine The Hearing Journal. She was also honored by the American Society of Healthcare Publication Editors for her reporting. “I’m beyond excited to be joining the THR staff full time,” said Victorian. “Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of assisting with awards content as a contributor, and I can’t wait to dive headfirst into coverage of this next awards season.”
Zeitchik has spent two decades covering the entertainment industry as well as tech and politics for the Los Angeles Times and Washington Post, and was a key member of the Post’s award-winning Tech team during his six years at the paper. As a certificate holder in AI from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, Zeitchik has avidly monitored the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and it potential to overhaul the media and entertainment industries. Zeitchik was also at the Post for nearly all of President Donald Trump’s first term; during that time, he reported on the combustible combination of the White House and Hollywood. “I’ve long been fascinated by both technology and politics as transformative forces in American life, and these days the two are more powerful and entwined than ever,” Zeitchik said. In his new role, he will concentrate on critical subjects impacting the entertainment world such as artificial intelligence and technology and will continue writing and editing The Race columns for THR’s awards coverage. Zeitchik also is the author of My Green Obsession, about the cursed life of a New York Jets fan; a winner of the Arthur Burns foreign-reporting prize from Berlin; a recipient of a Fulbright grant to Germany; and a past SXSW documentary jury member.
Victorian starts at THR on April 1 and will work out of the Los Angeles office. Zeitchik and Verhoeven have already begun their new roles.
THR is a flagship entertainment media brand, offering in-depth reporting, analysis and thought-provoking reviews; unparalleled access, world-class photography and video; and feature exclusives in its award-winning weekly magazine and dynamic website. The Hollywood Reporter also boasts prestigious live events, industry-leading philanthropic, empowerment and diversity initiatives and hugely successful video series including the Emmy-nominated Close Up With The Hollywood Reporter. In 2024, THR received 40 awards for excellence at the National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.