Lionsgate has named Apple TV+ marketing executive Justin Manfredi as EVP and Head of Worldwide Television Marketing. He succeeds 10-year Lionsgate veteran Suzy Feldman who is retiring.
Manfredi joins Lionsgate from Apple TV+, where he served as a head of series marketing and led global marketing strategy and integrated campaigns for titles including the Lionsgate Television-produced The Studio, which earned a record 23 Emmy nominations, Ted Lasso, Severance, Shrinking, Hijack and Chief of War.
Prior to joining Apple TV+ in 2021, Manfredi was SVP, Marketing at AMC Networks, overseeing marketing for its AMC, BBC America, Sundance TV and IFC labels and guiding campaigns for The Walking Dead universe, Killing Eve, Better Call Saul and BBC Earth. He also helped to launch AMC’s first SVOD and AVOD services.
Previously, he served as Senior Global Director of Digital Marketing for Activision, leading digital and social campaigns for Call of Duty and Guitar Hero and transitioning its gaming franchises into the digital space with initiatives such as the launch of the Call of Duty World League, Activision’s entry into eSports.
“Justin draws upon experience at three very different companies – Apple, AMC and Activision – which makes him the ideal executive to lead our multifaceted marketing approach to new buyers, platforms and audiences in a changing world,” said Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television Distribution Jim Packer. “He will work closely with me, Lionsgate Television Group Chairman Kevin Beggs, Vice Chairman Sandra Stern and our Motion Picture Group to drive opportunities through his innovation, digital expertise and understanding of where our business is headed.”
As Lionsgate navigates a future post-Starz separation amid an overall revenue decline, the company is relying on its television production slate, which saw revenue rise 20% in the most recent quarter, as well as library monetization.
In addition to overseeing all original series marketing for the studio, Manfredi will work with the content licensing team handling traditional licensing to worldwide buyers, Lionsgate’s stable of 30 FAST channels in 18 countries, and delivery of content to platforms throughout digital media.
“This is an exciting time to be joining Lionsgate, which has a reputation for being an entrepreneur and an innovator able to capitalize on emerging opportunities throughout the television ecosystem,” Manfredi said. “I look forward to working with Jim and the whole Lionsgate team on digital-first campaigns that not only build on the studio’s established leadership in delivering brand-defining series that cut through the clutter but continue to expand its reach in the exciting world of FAST, AVOD and digital media platforms.”
Feldman is retiring after a 10-year run as SVP and most recently as EVP since 2022, which included marketing campaigns for such hit series as Orange is the New Black for Netflix, Ghosts for CBS and the Power-verse for Starz. She also shepherded the marketing campaigns for the rollout of Lionsgate’s FAST channels. Most recently, she spearheaded the viral grassroots marketing campaign that helped The Hunting Wives‘ breakout success on Netflix in the U.S. and managed the studio’s marketing campaign for The Studio, which garnered more Emmy nominations than any freshman comedy ever.
“We want to thank Suzy Feldman for 10 years of outstanding leadership and contributions to our Lionsgate family, spanning many of the studio’s biggest hit series,” Packer said. “She has earned the admiration and friendship of her colleagues throughout the Company.”
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