THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION HONORS
DISNEY TELEVISION EXECUTIVE ROB MILLS
WITH 2024 CMA FOUNDING PRESIDENT’S AWARD
The Country Music Association presented its 2024 CMA Founding President’s Award (In Honor of Connie B. Gay) to industry veteran and television executive Rob Mills on Tuesday, Nov. 19 during rehearsals for “The 58th Annual CMA Awards” in Nashville. This year’s CMA Awards hosts Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning, and Lainey Wilson joined CMA Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Trahern, and CMA Awards Executive Producer, Robert Deaton, to surprise Mills with the news. The CMA Founding President’s Award is awarded in recognition of a person (or persons) who has rendered the most outstanding service to CMA. This award may be presented for services provided in the current year or over a course of years.
“The CMA Founding President’s Award, determined by our Board of Directors, celebrates individuals who have shown exceptional dedication and service to CMA,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Over the past decade, Rob’s outstanding leadership has been instrumental to the growth and success of CMA’s television properties. As we look forward to our next decade of collaboration, we are grateful to have a partner who not only champions Country Music but also continuously seeks innovative opportunities within the network to elevate our genre.”
Mills (Executive Vice President, Unscripted & Alternative Entertainment, Walt Disney Television) is a key voice in CMA’s long-standing relationship with broadcast partner, ABC. His insight and advocacy has been influential in the success and growth of CMA’s television properties – “CMA Fest,” “CMA Country Christmas” and the CMA Awards. Through CMA’s partnership with ABC, and across a broader content landscape, including Hulu and Disney+, Mills continues to promote the genre by aiding in creating unique and dynamic avenues to bring Country Music to audiences everywhere. Mills, who first joined ABC’s alternative division in 2003, oversees unscripted development and current production for ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals, including “American Idol,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “The Bachelor” franchise, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, “The Kardashians,” “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and more. The longtime TV executive has also shepherded numerous high-profile network special events.
About the Country Music Association
Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. Music industry professionals and companies across the U.S. and around the globe are members of CMA. The organization serves as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advances the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a three-hour network television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas.” All of CMA’s television properties air on ABC.
Rob Mills (Executive Vice President, Unscripted & Alternative Entertainment, Walt Disney Television) receives the 2024 CMA Founding President’s Award backstage during rehearsal for “The 58th Annual CMA Awards.” (L-R) Sarah Trahern (CMA CEO), Luke Bryan, Rob Mills, Lainey Wilson, Peyton Manning and Robert Deaton (CMA Awards Executive Producer).
For more information about CMA and the Association’s awards and initiatives, visit CMAworld.com.
