Longtime Disney Exec Jim Kapenstein Joins Starz as Chief Legal and Strategy Officer
Starz has appointed Jim Kapenstein, a longtime Disney executive, as its new chief legal and strategy officer. Kapenstein will start next week and report to Starz president and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch, who announced the news on Monday. According to the company, Kapenstein will oversee business and legal affairs, including distribution, content acquisition, production, litigation, and compliance, and will lead strategic corporate transactions and governance. He replaces former general counsel Audrey Lee, who recently retired, and former chief strategy officer John Penney. Kapenstein spent nearly 30 years at Disney, most recently as deputy general counsel, and was involved in major transactions such as the acquisitions of 21st Century Fox, Hulu, Fubo, Lucas Films, Marvel, and Pixar, as well as ESPN’s equity investment with the NFL. Kapenstein stated he is honored to join the Starz team at an exciting time in the company’s growth and looks forward to helping shape its next stage of growth through disciplined expansion. He began his career at Arent & Fox in Washington, D.C., and later was a senior associate at Alston & Bird.
What’s reported
Jim Kapenstein will join Starz as chief legal and strategy officer next week, reporting to CEO Jeffrey Hirsch.
Kapenstein replaces former general counsel Audrey Lee (retired) and former chief strategy officer John Penney.
His responsibilities include business and legal affairs, distribution, content acquisition, production, litigation, compliance, and leading strategic corporate transactions and governance.
Kapenstein spent almost 30 years at Disney, most recently as deputy general counsel, overseeing major acquisitions including 21st Century Fox, Hulu, Fubo, Lucas Films, Marvel, Pixar, and ESPN’s NFL equity investment.
He began his career at Arent & Fox and later was a senior associate at Alston & Bird.
Hirsch stated Kapenstein’s breadth of experience in large media transactions will be invaluable for Starz’s next growth phase.
Kapenstein said he is honored to join Starz and looks forward to driving strategic direction through disciplined expansion.
Key figures
Jim Kapenstein, incoming chief legal and strategy officer at Starz
Jeffrey Hirsch, president and CEO of Starz
Audrey Lee, former general counsel of Starz (recently retired)
John Penney, former chief strategy officer of Starz
Sources: Variety
