Shapiro exits Pivot as Rees takes over

US cable group has named a key marketing executive has general manager of millennial-focused Pivot, with president Evan Shapiro exiting as part of the change.

Kent Rees has been promoted from executive VP, marketing, scheduling and operations at Pivot, which is becoming increasingly active in the international market since launch in August 2013. It recently coproduced Fortitude (pictured) with UK pay TV leader BSkyB.

Former IFC and Sundance Channel president Shapiro has been with Pivot since its launch, but now exits.

“Pivot is a growing network with a strong pipeline of original content and has expanded carriage to over 47 million homes,” said Participant CEO Jim Berk. “During this time, Kent played an integral role in establishing the Pivot brand and managing overall channel operations.

“He and his management team are well positioned to further the network’s reach and impact. We thank Evan for helping to build Pivot into the successful network that it is today. We wish him the best.”

Besides the upcoming crime drama Fortitude, Pivot has had an impact with Jason Gordon-Levitt-created hitREcord on TV and has coproduced Australian comedy Please Like Me with ABC.