Veteran Publicist and Former Reporter for AP and The Hollywood Reporter Donna Balancia Joins TransMedia Group as Executive VP, Publishing and Promotions

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Aug 07, 2012, 08:30 ET

BOCA RATON, Fla., Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Donna Balancia, one of the first female sportswriters to interview top athletes in New York locker rooms for Hearst, Gannett, UPI and AP before covering Film Industry news for The Hollywood Reporter and American Media, has been named Executive VP, Publishing & Promotions at TransMedia Group (www.transmediagroup.com). She will report directly to CEO Tom Madden.

Donna's deadline and feature articles have run in The New York Times, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Tribune Co. and USA Today. Donna is the founder of The Florida Law Journal (www.thefloridalawjournal.com), a prestigious online trade publication for legal professionals.

Donna was one of the first female sportswriters to enter the sanctity of the locker rooms of New York to report on professional sports, prior to working in television and covering Box Office and Film Industry news, said Madden.

Donna established international tourism, cruise and hospitality industry relationships through her travels to European and Far East destinations. She is considered an expert in Florida tourism and hospitality, covering Florida's tourism and cruise businesses for five years while at Gannett.

"Donna brings a great deal of experience to our firm as she was a top reporter and editor and has a fondness and penchant for new technologies. Her people skills are outstanding and she knows business and how to promote it. We're elated to have her aboard."

A veteran publicist as well as longtime reporter and editor for the world's most prestigious news organizations, Donna has covered everything from celebrity athletes to movie stars on the Red Carpet in Hollywood. Donna has connections to the most renowned editors in broadcast, print and on the Web because of her many years in the media.

"I'm thrilled to be working with a group that understands the needs of the clients they represent, as well as the reporters they pitch," said Balancia. "Tom Madden and TransMedia Group have a traditional media background and their finger on the pulse of the social media and new media needed to take clients to the next level. I'm happy to join the team."

Apart from her writing accolades, Donna has won awards and recognition for charity work as well as for her media consulting and promotional work. She has a particular fondness for working with the Florida schools.

Media contact: Adrienne Mazzone 561-750-9800 x210, [email protected]

SOURCE TransMedia Group