EXCLUSIVE: After seven years guiding Starz’s communications ship, Theano Apostolou is leaving the premium cabler, I’ve learned. The EVP made the official announcement to her staff today at Starz’s Beverly Hills HQ.
A big part of Starz’s rise to the nation’s second-most-subscribed premium cabler, Apostolou will stay on until a successor is determined at the Chris Albrecht-run outlet. That means, with a new awards season looming, Starz likely will still have ex-AMC exec Apostolou’s expertise for trophy aims for Outlander, American Gods and more for the next few months.
“Theano has played an integral role in making Starz a global entertainment company,”president and CEO Albrecht said about one of his first hires in 2011 after taking over Starz. “Her creativity and passionate commitment to our success was a driving force in our evolution. Everyone at Starz thanks her and wishes her the best in this next step of her life.”
A definable member of the inner circle unlike many network and cable PR bosses, Apostolou was key in the corporate evolution of the outlet breaking off from Liberty Media four years ago and being sold to Lionsgate for $4.4 billion late last year.
“It’s been one of the most rewarding times in my career to work for Chris Albrecht and with the team at Starz,” Apostolou said in a statement. “I have immense pride in what we’ve accomplished at a time when our industry is changing at an unprecedented pace and take great satisfaction that we’ve built a valuable, meaningful brand. I am grateful to Chris for the loyalty, support and encouragement he’s always shown me.”
Having left her gig as SVP Corporate Communications and Program Publicity at the home of Mad Men, Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead in 2011, Apostolou joined Starz as SVP Communications at Starz. She was promoted to EVP in 2013.
[contf] [contfnew] 
Deadline
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
