DISH Network Chairman Charlie Ergen left his post as Chief Executive Officer to devote more attention to the company’s wireless business. Erik Carlson, previously President and Chief Operating Officer, was upped to President and CEO.
Joey Sabella was named Vice President of Sales, The Americas, Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution. He joins from eOne, where he was Head of Sales, United States and Latin America.
Marcus Wolter is stepping down as CEO of Endemol Shine Germany and Chairman, Endemol Shine Northern Europe in January. Boudewijn Beusmans will take over as Chairman, Northern Europe in addition to his role as Joint CEO of Endemol Shine Netherlands. As for Endemol Shine Germany, its CFO Ute Marz; Head of Strategic Development, Gabi Abegg; and Director of Reality and Docu, Rainer Laux, will lead local business for an interim period until a full-time successor is appointed.
Joshua Grode was appointed CEO of Legendary Entertainment. He was previously a partner in the Los Angeles office of Irell & Manells and a co-chair of the firm’s Transactions Practice.
Turner appointed Molly Battin as Executive Vice President and Global Chief Communications and Corporate Marketing Officer. Battin last served as Chief Brand Strategy Officer.
After nearly four decades of broadcasting on WTAE Channel 4, Chronicle host Sally Wiggon announced that she will retire in November 2018.
TBS promoted Thom Hinkle to Executive Vice President of Original Programming, and Jeniffer Kim to Senior Vice President of Original Programming. They will continue to report to Brett Weitz, EVP of Programming for TBS, who said, “Thom’s passion and instincts are second-to-none, and Jeniffer’s creativity and dedication continue to drive us forward.”
New Dominion Pictures tapped Dan Russell to serve as Senior Vice President of Content Development. Most recently, Russell was SVP, Programming at Poker Central.
John Barry has joined National CineMedia as Senior Vice President, Sales Planning, Inventory and Analysis. Barry was previously SVP, Advertising Sales at Discovery Communications.
Theano Apostolou is stepping down from her position of Executive Vice President of Communications at Starz after seven years. “It’s been one of the most rewarding times in my career to work for Chris Albrecht and with the team at Starz,” said Apostolou.
Peter Mears was appointed CEO of Havas Group Media. Mears joined Havas in April as Global Chief Operations Officer. “In just six months at Havas, Peter has implemented even higher operational standards, boosting collaboration and building the most agile teams in the media industry,” said Havas Group Chairman-CEO Yannick Bollore.
First Look Media tapped Stacey Politi to serve as Senior Vice President of Marketing. Politi was most recently VP of Marketing at Crackle.
Juan Ramon Gonzalo Carballal has been named Director General of Cuarzo Productions, a Banijay Group company, in Spain. Carballal had been Director of Content since 2015.
Boat Rocker Media appointed Shannon Valliant to the newly created position of Chief Financial Officer. Valliant Media Business Unit of Rogers Communications for 5 years.
The Ink Factory hired Tracey Josephs as Head of Production. She was previously Head of Production at Channel 4’s film division. The company also added Alexis Hood as Story Producer, Aaron Anderson as Development Producer, Jo Allan as Storyworlds Producer, John Rowe as Script Executive, Amy Basile as Marketing Manager, and Chris Patey as Business Affairs Assistant.
LBI Media, Inc. named Jason Hall as Senior Vice President of National Sales. Hall last served as Vice President, Advertising Sales, at Univision Communications.
Video creation platform VidMob expanded its team with the hires of Stephanie Bohn as Chief Marketing Officer, Joline McGoldrick as Senior Vice President of Data Insights and Research, Greg Lieber as Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships, and Eric McCasline as Director of Creative Operations.
David Kang is leaving as director of Apple News monetization and strategy after just one year. Kang, who joined Apple in 2014, is reportedly moving to a different role in the company.
Viacom has appointed Jose Tolosa as Chief Transformation Officer, overseeing a team responsible for guiding the company’s transformation agenda. Previously, Tolosa served as Chief Operating Officer of Viacom International Media Networks.
A+E Networks promoted Sean Murtagh to Senior Vice President, Finance, overseeing financial planning for A&E, History, Lifetime, Lifetime Movies and FYI, as well as A+E Studios and marketing. Previously, Murtagh was VP, Finance for A+E Networks.
Grupo Televisa announced that Salvi Folch has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer of Televisa’s cable division. He replaces Adolfo Lagos, who passed away unexpectedly. Folch joined the company in 2000 and is currently Vice President of Strategic Planning at Televisa.
Longtime NBC executive Bruce Evans has been promoted to EVP, current programming.
DreamWorks Animation Television named Robert Winthrop EVP of physical production. Winthrop formerly was SVP of animation and games for Technicolor.
Guru Studio announced two senior hires : Former Disney exec Kara Lord Piersimoni joins as VP of production, and Daniel Rattner takes on the new role of senior director of marketing and branding.
Hemisphere Media Group announced Jose Ramos, president and GM of WAPA-TV, will retire in the first half of 2018 and Javier Maynulet is being promoted as his successor.
