Camera Silhouette

What We Do & Who We Are

Understanding both content creators and public television stations, we create value for both sides of the equation.

“In the ever-changing media world, De Shields Associates gets it done! They know the public TV system like no one else.”

MICHAEL CASCIO

CEO/President, M&C Media LLC

“De Shields Associates were recommended to us as 'the best in the business' when we began searching for help with station-relations, and that praise was spot-on.”

Jim M. Ludes

Executive Producer & Host

Story in the Public Square

“Every step of the way, the De Shields Associates team helped us understand the intricate details needed to be successful on public television.”

Matt Paxton

Executive Producer & Host

Emmy Nominated Legacy List with Matt Paxton

“De Shields Associates have been key team members in more than 19 documentary projects Free to Choose Media has released since 2006.”

Tara L. Schupp

COO & VP of Production

Free to Choose Media

Founded in 1996, De Shields Associates, Inc. (DSA) is a national leader in the field of public television program marketing/station relations management. We’ve represented clients from every genre, subject and format—daily series, weekly series, limited series and single documentaries. DSA stands ready to be your guide at every stage of your project. Whether you are looking for station relations support for your single documentary, need help in identifying the best distributor for your program or need guidance to find a presenting station—we are here to help.

We have cultivated, developed and continue to hone relationships with public television programmers and key executives at PBS, American Public Television, and NETA.

De Shields Associates represents public television content creators. We are equally expert in understanding the needs of public television stations. Bringing these two groups together is how DSA creates value for both sides of the equation. 

In short, if you’re a producer or filmmaker trying to navigate the maze that is the public television system, let De Shields Associates be your advocate and partner.

Our Team

Robyn De Shields, Photo: Aundrea Hart Photography ©2017

Photo: Aundrea Hart ©2017

Robyn De Shields

Founder and President

“When people ask me what I do, I tell them ‘I watch TV for a living.’”

ROBYN DE SHIELDS is a public television marketing and event management consultant. Her experience includes more than thirty years of strategic marketing management; campaign development; promotion; public television station relations; event management and community relations for national and regional public broadcasting organizations, television and radio producers, non-profit organizations and corporate clients.

In 1996 she founded De Shields Associates, Inc. a firm specializing in marketing public broadcasting programs and series. Since its founding De Shields Associates has provided customized program marketing and event management services to a diverse client list of more than one hundred television programs, series and organizations.

Prior to founding De Shields Associates, Robyn’s professional background included serving as Director of Broadcast Marketing and Promotion at ITVS; Director of Communications for American Public Radio (now American Public Media); Associate Director of Station Relations and National Scheduling for WGBH; National Marketing Coordinator for WGBH Radio; Public Relations Manager for WAMU-FM.

Paul Malkie

Senior Marketing Associate

PAUL MALKIE joined De Shields Associates in 2016 as Senior Marketing Associate after a long and storied career. Paul began his career working in local news in Baltimore, Maryland and later in Washington D.C. After working as a producer in the CBS News Washington bureau, Paul joined Gannett Television as a Manager of Program Development. Returning to local television Paul joined WUSA TV as Vice President of Creative Services. From WUSA Paul moved to Ward Television, a production company specializing in long form documentaries, as General Manager. Paul founded his own production company in 2001 producing for Public Television, McNeil/Lehrer Productions, The Discovery Channel, and others.

Experience on your side

Years

Programs

Clients

LET'S TALK

Finding the right guide is a process. Nothing
takes the place of a live conversation. Contact
us to see if we’re a good fit.

13 + 9 =