News brief: Starz ups Penney

US cable operator Starz has upped John Penney to chief strategy officer.

Penney has been promoted from executive VP, strategy and business development and reports to Starz CEO Chris Albrecht.

Prior to joining Starz, he was at HBO and president and head of corporate development of Foresee Entertainment, a media and entertainment company he co-founded with current Starz CEO, Chris Albrecht in 2008.