Spotify Studios and Lifetime alum Liz Gateley sets up new prodco Damsel Media

Liz Gateley, the former head of originals development at Spotify Studios and head of programming at Lifetime, has left Spotify to launch her own production company, Damsel Media.

Liz Gateley

The New York-based company will develop series and films aimed at Gen Z audiences, focusing on projects aimed at young women. It currently has projects in the works with 32 Flavors and Haymaker East.

During her career, Gateley has produced and created series including Laguna Beach, The Hills, 16 & Pregnant, Teen Mom, Teen Wolf and Surviving R Kelly, in addition to being part of the team that developed the scripted series You.

She was previously the executive VP and head of programming at A+E Networks-owned US cablenet Lifetime.

She left that post in 2018 and later joined Spotify as senior creative executive of its studio division. She was later promoted to head of development, originals at Spotify Studios before exiting the company at the end of 2024.

During her time at the audio platform, Gateley helped drive the expansion of its podcast business in addition to overseeing its partnership with Warner Bros and DC. She also played a key role in Spotify’s move into video with projects including What Now? with Trevor Noah and helped launch its audio-to-video label Spotify Pictures.

“I’m so grateful for my time at Spotify – for the incredible creators I worked with and the opportunity to learn within such a dynamic environment,” said Gateley. “Now it’s time for me to return to longform storytelling and my passion for creating premium content for young audiences through Damsel Media.”