
Cynthia Hudson
Senior Vice President and General Manager of CNN en Español and Hispanic Strategy for CNN/U.S.
Cynthia Hudson is senior vice president and managing director of CNN en Español and Hispanic strategy for CNN/U.S. Hudson oversees all aspects of CNN’s Spanish-language media businesses, including newsgathering, editorial content, programming, production, operations and personnel, of the CNN en Español 24/7 television news networks, CnnEspañol.com and CNN en Español Radio. In first quarter 2019,…
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Full Bio
Cynthia Hudson is senior vice president and managing director of CNN en Español and Hispanic strategy for CNN/U.S. Hudson oversees all aspects of CNN’s Spanish-language media businesses, including newsgathering, editorial content, programming, production, operations and personnel, of the CNN en Español 24/7 television news networks, CnnEspañol.com and CNN en Español Radio.
In first quarter 2019, Hudson inaugurated CNN Radio Argentina, a radio network available in 120 cities and 23 provinces throughout Argentina. In April, she launched CNN en Español’s multi-platform anti-discrimination campaign called Proyecto Ser Humano (The Humanity Project). The project highlights the stories of those who have encountered discrimination and those who fight for greater inclusion. Hudson partnered with music, television and film producer Emilio Estefan and Grammy award winner Gian Marco to produce The Proyecto Ser Humano official theme song.
In 2018, Hudson expanded CNN en Español’s TV & digital operations in Argentina and Mexico and expanded the role of Cross-platform Content across all platforms to continue the brand’s digital and social growth. However, she began the evolution of CNN en Español in 2010 when she took over the helm at CNN en Español and launched CNN en Español’s multi-platform business with expanded feeds for Latin America, Mexico and the US Hispanic market, as well as revamping the logo, branding and programming. She changed the channel from a news wheel to a program-based network and added studio production in Miami, expanded production in Mexico, Washington DC and Los Angeles. Hudson added new talent and hit shows such as Café CNN, Conclusiones, CNN Dinero, Camilo, Fuentes Confiables, Nuestro Mundo, En Dialogo con Longobardi, etc. and launched originally produced documentaries, investigative series and live programming.
In 2011, Hudson launched CNNEspañol.com and refocused resources to develop CNN en Español’s top Spanish-language News Social Platforms on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. In addition, she expanded the radio business to include affiliates in the US Hispanic Market, Latin America and Europe. In 2014, CNN en Español began its cross-platform branded sales strategy which has led to the development of experiential large-scale event coverage including the Summits of the Americas in Cartagena, Panama and Peru, Olympics, S X SW, Viña del Mar and our award-winning electoral coverage in over 30 countries.
CNN en Español has an extensive bilingual staff at various operations hubs including Atlanta, Miami, Washington DC, NY, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Jerusalem and Madrid. Under Hudson, CNN en Español has won three National Emmys, three Glaad Awards, four Promax awards, most recently, she has been recognized with the 2018 PromaxIMPACT Award Awarded to a cultural influencer for their work and continued IMPACT on multicultural awareness, embracing and engaging diverse audiences within the entertainment marketing industry.
Also, in the most recent “Latin Grammy Week” in Las Vegas, Nevada, The Latin Recording Academy® has distinguished Cynthia Hudson with the 2018 Leading Ladies of Entertainment award. This organization honors and recognizes professional women within the arts and entertainment industries who have made significant and indelible impressions and contributions to their fields.
Hudson also has received an honorable mention at the Shorty Awards for Best Multi-Platform Campaign for Social Coverage of the Venezuelan Crisis. She was personally nominated for an International Emmy Award as Executive Producer of the documentary, A Trip with Fidel, which aired in over 35 countries around the world.
In 2016, The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) recognized Hudson with a Presidential Award for her unwavering commitment to journalism, the pursuit of the truth and her leadership in journalism.
In 2017, Hudson was recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas running a leading global company and she was recognized as a top influential minority leader of the communications industry by Cablefax. Hudson has won eight Emmy Awards, has been named as one of People en Español’s most powerful women (2009), as well as one of the most powerful Hispanics in Poder, CableFax, Hispanic Target and other influential publications. She has been recognized with the Lech Walesa Media Award for her dedication to the cause of democracy (2015). She has been the keynote speaker and a panelist at a plethora of industry-related events including The Festival of Media, NAHJ, Hispanicize, AHAA and Harvard Women in Business.
Before joining CNN en Español, Hudson served as chief creative officer and executive vice president for SBS and managing director of Mega TV. There she was responsible for SBS’ expansion, directly overseeing flagship TV network Mega TV, as well as the company’s internet site lamusica.com and other new media development. In addition, she supervised the strategic expansion of SBS content across multiple media platforms and development of branded entertainment synergies among all SBS properties including the “radio on TV” formats. Mega TV saw tremendous growth under her watch and garnered the network 27 EMMY awards in the years under her watch.
From 1997 to 2005, Hudson served as senior vice president and editorial director of Cosmopolitan Television (a Hearst Entertainment and Syndication Group division), heading up the creation and development of the Cosmopolitan TV Networks, including Canal Cosmopolitan Iberia and Canal Cosmopolitan Latin America as well as the foundation for Cosmo TV Canada. There she led the research, development and creation of Cosmo TV, overseeing design of original programs, on-air packaging, promotions and program acquisitions, as well as the creation and production of original formats and the overall business strategy for the networks.
Hudson also wrote and created the original drama, Miami Sands, Promark’s internationally successful English-language American telenovela.
Prior to Cosmopolitan TV, Hudson was senior vice president of programming and creative services for United International Holding’s joint venture channel service, United Family Communications (UFC), now Cello/AMC networks Latin America. While at UIH she created Casa Club TV, the first pan-regional Home channel for Latin America.
Hudson was the vice president of programming and production for the Telemundo Network from 1992-94. During her tenure, the network’s programming line-up was redesigned, and developed its first in-house telenovela production unit with successes such as “Tres Destinos,” a prime-time scripted drama series that debuted in 1994.
From 1984 to 1992, Hudson held various production and executive positions with the Univision Network, including Executive Producer of the first daytime U.S. Hispanic magazine show, “TV Mujer” (“TV Woman”), which garnered Univision its first Emmy Award for ongoing series production. Hudson started her professional career as a news producer and reporter at Univision affiliate WLTV 23, where she held various positions from reporting to production and management.
Hudson’s community efforts include being a Director on the board of The National Epilepsy Foundation and acting as a Director and now Vice President of the University of Miami Alumni Association.
Born in Los Angeles, she holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Communications from the University of Miami and is fluent in English and Spanish and proficient in French.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
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