NBCU finds replacement for ex-UK chief McLeod

NBCUniversal International Networks (NBCUIN) has found its successor for long-serving, former managing director of the UK and emerging markets Colin McLeod.

NBCUniversal International (NBCUI) chief marketing officer Lee Raftery has been named in the role, while also taking on an expanded marketing and programme post.

He is in part replacing McLeod, who exited recently after a decade in management positions, as TBI exclusively revealed in January.

His expanded role will see him leading strategy and performance for NBCUIN channels in relevant territories.

NBCUI’s networks include Universal Channel, Syfy, E! Entertainment Television, Movies 24, Telemundo, Studio Universal and 13^th

Raftery has also been named chief marketing and content officer at NBCUIN, which he will oversee marketing and programming strategy across the entire group.

Last year, the long-serving exec was upped to CMO and placed in charge of Project Symphony, an internal initiative created to “proactively leverage global synergies and cross-divisional marketing opportunities across NBCU’s extensive media portfolio”.

Raftery will report to both NBCUniversal International Distribution MD for EMEA Satpal Brainch and NBCUI and Global Distribution chairman Kevin MacLellan.

“Lee has done an exemplary job of building an incredibly distinctive marketing and creative culture across the company,” said MacLellan.

“He has proved himself to be a strong and decisive leader and I have every confidence that he will apply his considerable skills to lead the strategic vision within the UK/EM Networks group”.

Before joining NBCU in 2011, he was senior VP of marketing, PR and on-air at Comcast International Media Group, whose parent bought NBCU in the same year. He also spent ten years at Hasbro, and held roles at The Walt Disney Company.