Starz hires Netflix’s Hilburn as marketing chief

US pay TV programmer and streamer Starz has refreshed its domestic leadership team with two key hires and a promotion.

Jimmy Hilburn

joins as chief marketing officer, and Susan Ievoli joins as SVP, publicity, events and awards, reporting to Hilburn.

Robin Chacko has meanwhile been promoted to EVP, direct-to-consumer from SVP, OTT marketing. Chacko will continue to report to domestic networks president Alison Hoffman.

Hilburn was previously director of marketing at Netflix where he led original series launches for Bridgerton, Ozark, Narcos, House of Cards and Dear White People, among others.

Before that, Hilburn served as director of marketing at AMC where he launched the network’s inaugural slate of original programming including Mad Men, Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead.

Susan Ievol

Ievoli takes over from Jennifer Minezaki-Washington who was promoted in March 2021 to EVP, corporate and brand communications, reporting to Jeffrey Hirsch, President and CEO at Starz.

Robin Chacko

She previously served as SVP, public relations and social media for The History Channel. She has also previously worked as a publicity executive at Turner Broadcasting.

Chacko joined Starz in 2017 as SVP, growth marketing and product management. Prior to Starz, he led product management and CRM for Jam City, and before that led group operations for Tetris Hasbro and Pogo Studio at gaming giant Electronic Arts and served as head of game analytics for EA Mobile.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Jimmy and Susan to the Starz team and elevate Robin’s oversight in a key area of the business, said Hoffman. “These best-in-class executives are creative disruptors who are as strategic and analytical as they are innovative. They will further amplify the company’s momentum as we continue to grow our subscriber base and develop premium campaigns in support of our robust slate,” said Hoffman.