Steven Cardwell, Former HBO Marketing Executive, Joins Waiting in the Sky as Partner

Steven Cardwell, who previously served as the vice president of originals marketing at HBO and Max, is embarking on a new journey as a partner at Waiting in the Sky, an entertainment strategy and audience insights agency. In his new role, Cardwell will continue to spearhead marketing campaigns, collaborating with a diverse range of clients such as HBO and Max, FX, Disney, Freeform, and Warner Music.

During his tenure at HBO and Max, spanning nine years, Cardwell played a pivotal role in overseeing marketing campaigns for renowned series like “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Euphoria,” “Westworld,” and “Game of Thrones.” Notable highlights include his leadership in the SXSWestworld immersive experience for “Westworld” at SXSW in 2018 and the innovative #ForTheThrone campaign for the final season of “Game of Thrones.” For the ongoing second season of “House of the Dragon,” Cardwell orchestrated a unique campaign that engaged brands, sports teams, and fans in choosing between Team Green and Team Black, culminating in a spectacular 270-foot dragon installation atop the Empire State Building.

Prior to his role at HBO and Max, Cardwell held positions as the marketing director for IFC Films and Scott Rudin Productions, where he contributed to the promotion of acclaimed films like “Boyhood,” “The Social Network,” “True Grit,” and “Moonrise Kingdom,” as well as the Broadway production of “The Book of Mormon.”

Jake Katz, the founder of Waiting in the Sky, expressed his admiration for Cardwell, citing him as an inspirational figure in the entertainment marketing realm. Katz highlighted Cardwell’s exceptional track record in crafting transformative campaigns for various projects and welcomed him as a partner at Waiting in the Sky. Cardwell, in turn, expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter, emphasizing the agency’s strategic approach and the potential for groundbreaking marketing initiatives that resonate globally.

The collaboration between Cardwell and Waiting in the Sky is poised to bring a fresh perspective to entertainment marketing, leveraging Cardwell’s expertise and the agency’s innovative strategies to elevate client brands to unprecedented heights. This partnership signifies a promising union of talent and vision in the dynamic landscape of entertainment marketing.