Gil Schwartz was also known as a mentor who brought his singing, guitar playing and comedic talents to affiliate meeting and the CBS’s annual holiday party
Gil Schwartz, former CBS chief communications executive, humorist and novelist, died Saturday in his Santa Monica home of natural causes. He was 68.
Schwartz retired in 2018 after 40 years with CBS, Viacom and Westinghouse Broadcasting overseeing the public relations, media relations, and also the corporate and internal communications functions. Although he was a top advisor to CBS’s senior executives, he was also known as a mentor who brought his singing, guitar playing and comedic talents to CBS’s annual affiliate meeting and the network’s annual holiday press party.
“For the better part of three decades, Gil Schwartz led CBS Communications with creative flare, craftsman-like expertise and an abundance of personality. He was a counselor to senior management, a mentor to future PR executives and a popular presence in every hallway,” CBS said in a statement.
