MURIEL KATZ, Vice President, Talent and Production
Muriel is vital to the day-to-day operations of TEAM’s Advertising & New Media division, collaborating closely with the company's executive team on strategic solutions for clients, as well as assuring clear communication and fluid processes are implemented between the Burbank, Detroit, and New York offices.
A native of Buffalo, New York, Muriel moved to Los Angeles in the 1980s where her career track in the entertainment industry began with a Production Accountant position for the award-winning series, Faerie Tale Theater, which was produced by Shelley Duvall’s company, Platypus Productions. After her time at Platypus, Muriel, like her colleagues at TEAM, received a badge in entrepreneurship, by launching her own company Moore, Money, and Katz, a personal management firm. Muriel’s professionalism and loyalty was not forgotten by Ms. Duvall, however, and within a few years Muriel found herself back with Shelley as a production and business affairs supervisor for Duvall’s new company, Think Entertainment.
In 1994, Muriel joined Media Services, managing operations for the commercial talent division. She then worked advertising talent operations at Cast & Crew, before joining TEAM in 2004 where she has since advanced to the position of Vice President for the expanded Talent and Production divisions.
KAT KRONE, Senior Director of Labor Relations
Kat is one of TEAM’s well-regarded and invaluable assets. A human search engine of talent contract knowledge, Kat has the cherished ability to not only break down contracts but to also communicate the nuances of those agreements to others so that they may work smarter in the future.
As a magna cum laude graduate of Brandeis University with Honors in Theater Arts and an MBA from the UCLA Graduate School of Management in Arts Administration and Labor Relations, Kat brought a special passion for acting and business to her 15 years of work in contracts and business affairs in the regional and national offices of SAG and AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild / American Federation of Television and Radio Actors).
Kat’s extensive experience with talent labor agreements began at the national SAG office in Hollywood, where she initially worked as a business agent and contract representative. Kat eventually assumed the position of Executive Director of the SAG/AFTRA office in Dallas/Fort Worth. In 1995, she joined Media Services as Director of Labor Relations. She then worked at Cast & Crew in the same capacity before joining TEAM in 2004 where her expertise continues to be an invaluable resource in helping discover unique and innovative solutions for our clients.
KIT WOODS, Senior Advisor, Film, Television & Digital Media
Kit Woods has 33 years experience working at the performer guilds – AFTRA and SAG - in various capacities. She served as Assistant Executive Director in the Atlanta, Georgia office from 1978 to 1985, where she assisted movie and television productions, administered commercials, non-broadcast, and all other union contracts, and worked closely with the AFTRA Board and SAG Council on policy implementation. In 1985, Kit was promoted to Executive Director of the Atlanta office and was involved in negotiating local commercials contracts with Atlanta advertising agencies, in addition to administering local and national contracts. She also took over responsibility for the guild newsletter, worked with the AFTRA and SAG National Boards, and oversaw the guild’s outreach and educational programs in the region.
Kit moved to Chicago in 1991 and assumed the position of Assistant Executive Director of the Chicago, Illinois SAG/AFTRA office where she became responsible for theatrical and television AFTRA and SAG contracts in seven states. During her tenure in the Chicago office, she continued her work in community outreach and education, implemented a program to increase union student and low budget films, attended national negotiations and worked closely with the national staff of both unions. During this time period Kit also served on the IFP/Chicago Board of Directors, the Illinois Production Association Board and the Board of the Chicago Entertainment Industry Labor Coalition. In 2010, Kit was honored with a Distinguished Service award by Lawyers for the Creative Arts. Kit joined TEAM in 2010 as Senior Advisor, Film, Television and Digital Media and is an invaluable resource as TEAM expands its presence in the Midwest and in these product lines.
JUDY SANTI, Senior Vice President
Judy has honed her expertise with the SAG, AFTRA & AFM Labor Agreements for all aspects of the music and advertising industries through an array of professional experiences in television, ad agencies, music houses, top payroll companies, and as the President of her own payroll firm, Half Note.
A native Chicagoan, Judy launched her career in payroll and business affairs right after moving to Los Angeles, when she landed the payroll position on the TV show, Midnight Special. This eventually led her to the music division of payroll giant, IDC, where she worked with TEAM’s President, Gerry Schwartz. Judy expanded her proficiency in advertising business affairs during her time at several ad agencies including McCann-Erickson’s LA office. In addition to McCann, Judy spent time working with noted music producers and prepared budgets and union forms for the country’s top orchestra managers including those from NBC’s Tonight Show’s orchestra and Paramount Studios.
Judy’s business savvy shone through in 1994 when she launched and quickly expanded her payroll firm, Half Note. Ten years later she reunited with Gerry Schwartz when she merged Half Note into TEAM, expanding the company’s advertising and music divisions. In addition, from her early leadership role in the Advertising Business Affairs Association to her current participation in trade organizations like AMP, Judy continues her long-standing tradition of advancing industry knowledge on key issues through seminars and professional networks.
