Publicists award to David Stapf

Hollywood publicists have selected David Stapf, president of CBS Television Studios, to receive the Television Showman of the Year award. Kudo will be presented at the 49th annual Publicists Awards Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Feb. 24. The publicists are part of the Intl. Cinematographers Guild. The Wednesday announcement from ICG president Steven Poster and awards committee chairman Henri Bollinger noted that Stapf, a former publicist, was named to his present position in 2004. He oversees all of the studio's program development and production for series and television movies for the broadcast, basic cable and premium channel markets. Stapf joined CBS in 1999 following stints at Warner Bros. Television and Embassy Television. "The fact that David Stapf began his career as a publicist clearly validates his appreciation of the importance of publicity in the ultimate success of entertainment products," Bollinger said. "His background in publicity and the inordinate success he has enjoyed as president of CBS Television Studios makes him uniquely qualified to receive this honor." Twentieth Century Fox Television chairs Gary Newman and Dana Walden were the most recent recipients of the award. Other recent winners have included Chuck Lorrie, Peter Roth, Nina Tassler, Jerry Bruckheimer and Aaron Sorkin. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com