Legal Business Blogs

In-house: Channel 5 GC takes role at Viacom following internal restructure

Marcus Lee, previously general counsel (GC) of Channel 5, has been promoted to GC for UK, northern and eastern Europe for Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), also part of the media conglomerate Viacom.

Lee, who trained with Charles Russell, has spent nearly seven years at Channel 5 after a number of in-house roles at various media companies. Prior to Channel 5, Lee worked for Portland Media Group, Express Newspapers, Paramount Home Entertainment and Showtime.

Lee, who was recognised in Legal BusinessGC Powerlist in both 2013 and 2016, was previously responsible for the legal affairs of VIMN’s subsidiary, Channel 5, but in his new role Lee will oversee legal affairs across 33 European countries. Lee will report to VIMN general counsel Caryn Groce and chief operating officer Paul Dunthorne.

As part of a restructure, Channel 5 and VIMN will merge legal teams, meaning Lee will have responsibility for all of VIMN’s networks such as MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon.

Dunthorne commented: ‘Marcus is a proven leader within our business with an incredible knowledge base and understanding of the media business. Combining our business and legal affairs teams under his management will ensure we keep ahead of the changing commercial and contractual demands of and on our business at a time of rapid change and increasing complexity in our sector.’

In other recent GC moves, Emma Anthony, senior legal counsel of high-end retailer Selfridges, has taken a role at online retailer Yoox Net-A-Porter Group (YNAP) starting earlier this month.

Anthony, who was also selected as a Rising Star in Legal Business GC Powerlist 2017, had previously undertaken brand protection and IP work and reported to Selfridges’ director of legal, Sarah Hemsley. In her new role, Anthony will become YNAP’s head of legal for the UK.

tom.baker@legalease.co.uk