David Viviano is the Chief Economist at SAG-AFTRA, where he leads the Office of Media & Labor Economics. In this role, he oversees analysis of the rapidly evolving media ecosystem to inform the union’s strategic and tactical decisions. This work includes analyzing the production, distribution, exhibition and consumption of SAG-AFTRA-covered content and advertising, assessing industry economics and producer finances, and examining how these factors impact the professional lives of actors, journalists, recording artists, and other media talent. As a key member of SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating teams, David helps bargain terms of compensation for performers across entertainment, advertising, broadcasting, and music—contracts that collectively account for more than $5 billion annually in performer earnings. He also directs professional education initiatives for the union’s 500+ employees.
David has been with SAG-AFTRA for over two decades. Earlier in his career, he worked as a consultant at PwC. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies from Wesleyan University.