Marva A. Smalls

Marva A. Smalls is Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Chief of Staff for Nickelodeon, MTVN Kids and Family Group and Executive Vice President of Global Inclusion Strategy, MTV Networks. Smalls works with the leadership of all MTVN brands to champion multiculturalism, inclusiveness and diversity across the company worldwide. Her role includes the development of the next generation of leaders at MTV Networks and the expansion of MTV Networks’ partnerships with outside organizations. Smalls is the chief administrator officer of the networks and their ancillary businesses, directing financial resources, personnel and facilities for their New York, Los Angeles and international offices. Smalls also manages and oversees meetings of the company’s Executive Management Team, a strategic planning group comprised of the senior executives in charge of each entwork and line of business. An established veteran in the public sector, Smalls oversees all of the pro-social and corporate responsibility initiatives for Nickelodeon, MTVN Kids and Family Group and TV Land, and their relationships with advocates, government officials, educators, non-profit organizations and trade associations. She has longstanding relationships with public affairs, government, communications and philanthropic organizations on both the state and national level. Smalls is a leader in developing strategies to combat the growing obesity epidemic with kids by testifying and speaking at governmental and industry forums on the topic. Under Small’s leadership, Nickelodeon’s pro-social campaigns have been recognized by presidential administrations and have garnered the support of top names in the entertainment industry. She brought Nickelodeon’s Let’s Just Play, an award-winning, national multi-media campaign and grassroots effort to encourage more positive, healthy and playful lifestyles, together with The William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association to help reduce childhood obesity. Smalls spearheaded The Big Help, which empowered 40 million kids to pledge 380 million hours of volunteer service, and was honored with the George C. Peabody and Golden CableAce awards. Smalls has Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of South Carolina. She serves on numerous boards of directors including the National Council for Families and Television, the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, South Carolina’s Brookgreen Gardens, NYC’s Northside Center for Child Development, Big Brothers – BIg Sisters of America, the National Bank of South Carolina, the South Carolina Educational Television Endowment Commission and the University of South Carolina’s Education Foundation. Smalls is a recent recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Francis Marion University and Coker College. Smalls has a history of politicla activism and public service across the United States, having served in several positions in local and national government, and with the NAACP. She is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, and frequently speaks on empowerment and mentoring. Smalls has received numerous awards for her work with, and support of, community-based projects aimed at improving the quality of life for children.