Versant Hires Paramount’s Erin Calhoun and MLB’s Steve Arocho as Communications Executives

Versant, the new company Comcast has spun off from NBCUniversal’s cable assets, has finished assembling its team of communications executives: Erin Calhoun has been named senior vice president of entertainment and sports communications, with Steve Arocho joining as vice president of corporate communications.

Calhoun will be based in Los Angeles, where she will oversee the communication strategy and press activities for cablers including USA Network, Oxygen, E!, Syfy, Golf Channel, GolfNow, Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes and Sports Engine. She joins Versant after her September 2024 departure from Paramount, where she most recently served as executive vice president of communications, in charge of communications for Paramount streaming, Showtime and cross-company publicity. She was previously executive vice president of communications for both Showtime and Paramount Television Studios. Her role at Versant will not be her first time working around NBCUniversal properties, as she was vice president of corporate communications for USA and Syfy from 2016 to 2017.

Arocho will lead corporate social responsibility and digital communications at Versant after previously working as vice president of corporate communications at Major League Baseball, where he led efforts across social responsibility, community affairs, baseball and softball development, youth engagement and multicultural outreach. He also helped launch multiple charitable partnerships for the league.

The news came in a memo to Versant staff sent by Keith Cocozza, chief communications officer.

Previously announced members of Versant’s communications team include Lauren Skowronski, senior vice president of global communications for CNBC, Richard Hudock, senior vice president of communications for MSNBC, Diana Rocco, vice president of internal communications for Versant and Hollie Tracz, vice president of media relations for Versant.