ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS) has appointed Kate Laffey as its VP, effective immediately.
Based in London, she will report to Pierluigi Gazzolo, president, studios and streaming, ViacomCBS Networks International.
With direct oversight of all international studio development, production and commercial for VIS centrally, Laffey’s primary focus will be on growing VIS’ global studio footprint in all regions internationally. She will collaborate closely with the company’s domestic and cluster studio leads by sourcing the best local hits and expanding them globally to create a unified global business.
Laffey will have oversight of an expanded central team that will include international development and production and will lead VIS UK’s scripted sourcing for export. She will also align closely with VIS’ tape sales division, led by Lauren Marriott, as the company continues to grow its business around the world.
Laffey previously served as VP of acquisitions at Cineflix Media’s UK-based distribution arm, Cineflix Rights, where she played a first-hand role in expanding the company’s third-party content offerings.
Prior to that position, she served as a senior acquisitions executive at ITV, where she was responsible for acquiring scripted and non-scripted content from third party producers, while also overseeing third party development and first look deals.
Commenting on the appointment, Gazzolo said: “ViacomCBS International Studios has seen nearly 50% average revenue growth since inception, and with this steady growth, our studio business continues to play a crucial role in ViacomCBS’ overall content ecosystem. The phrase ‘Content is King’ has never been more pertinent than in today’s global streaming landscape, and I am confident that Kate will be a driving force in the evolution of our business for the future”.
Laffey added: “I’m excited to join ViacomCBS International Studios during such a critical time in our industry’s evolution. As the company readies for the future, I see tremendous potential to grow its international formats business and capitalize on strategic opportunities to support VIS’ continued advancement”.
