Fox Networks names digital president

Fox Networks Group (FNG) has named a former Sky Deutschland CEO as its president of digital.

Brian Sullivan starts in the newly created role on July 27 and reports to Peter Rice, chairman and CEO of FNG. He will be based in Los Angeles.

Sullivan will lead FNG’s direct-to-consumer digital video efforts, taking responsibility for growth across FoxNow, FXNow, Fox Sports Go and the group’s international Fox Play products, among others.

The role sees Sullivan return to the US after nearly two decades in Europe in a variety of leadership roles in pay TV.

He left Sky Deutschland in March amid reports he was taking up an unspecified senior position at 21st Century Fox. He was replaced by Carsten Schmidt, Sky Deutschland’s chief officer of sports, advertising sales and internet.

His move follows BSkyB’s takeover of Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia late last year.

Gary Davey, Sky Deutschland’s programming chief, was brought in as MD across the group, replacing Sophie Turner Laing, who joined Endemol Shine.