Mumbai: Danette Herman will serve as executive in charge of talent for the 81st Academy Awards, telecast producer Laurence Mark and executive producer Bill Condon has announced.

"Herman is a proven expert at helping to put together live television shows," said Mark and Condon in a joint statement. "We are thrilled and lucky to have her on our team."

A specialist in live and taped television specials and events, with numerous credits, Herman served as executive in charge of talent for the landmark ‘Stand Up to Cancer,’ which aired simultaneously on ABC, CBS and NBC in September. She recently served as co-producer for the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards and is currently wrapping up her duties as coordinating producer for The Kennedy Center Honors.

The 81st Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2009, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater