Mississippi Arts Commission: Who We Are

Sam Haskell

Sam Haskell, former Executive Vice President and Worldwide Head of Television for the venerable William Morris Agency, who, at age 52, was named in 2007 by TV Week as one of the 25 Most Innovative and Influential People in Television over the last quarter century, has authored the autobiographical memoir with life lessons, "Promises I Made My Mother."   

Mr. Haskell, raised in Amory, Mississippi, spent 30 years in Los Angeles before re-locating to Oxford, MS, with his wife and Ole Miss college sweetheart Mary Donnelly Haskell, a former Miss Mississippi and current Martingale recording artist.  They are both University of Mississippi graduates, and have two children, Sam, IV and Mary Lane. 

Mr. Haskell's memoir, an incisive, compelling, deeply personal and spiritually-enriching story about living a principled life in unprincipled times, was acquired in auction by Ballantine Books, a Random House imprint, by Ballantine Publisher Libby McGuire.  Senior Editor Susan Mercandetti edited "Promises," which was co-written with multiple New York Times bestselling author David Rensin, and published in 2009.  Since that time Sam has been on a 90 city national book tour, during which all personal proceeds from the sale of his National Bestseller, “Promises”, have been donated to The Mary Kirkpatrick Haskell Scholarship Foundation, The Miss America Organization, The National Rotary Foundation, The University Of Mississippi Foundation, California State University, New York University, The Duke Of Edinburgh's Award Young Americans' Challenge, as well as dozens of local charities, food pantries, and children's charities. 

Mr. Haskell, widely recognized for rising to the top of a turbulent and often time conscienceless business with his character, integrity and value-system intact, is equally known for far-reaching philanthropic endeavors, notably serving as executive producer of "Mississippi Rising," a three-hour, MSNBC special hosted by Morgan Freeman which raised over $30 million for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  

As Chairman of the Mary Kirkpatrick Haskell Scholarship Foundation founded in his mother's memory, Mr. Haskell's biennial "Stars Over Mississippi" benefit concerts in Amory have raised millions of dollars in college scholarship funds for Mississippi youngsters in need of financial assistance to further their education.    

In addition, Mr. Haskell serves in a pro bono capacity as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Miss America Organization and Executive Producer of the Miss America Pageant telecasts.

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