Fox names Sullivan digital chief

21^st Century Fox has named former Sky Deutschland CEO Brian Sullivan as president of digital at Fox Networks Group, a new role that will give him responsibility for strategy for the group’s direct-to-consumer digital video business and other digital activities.

As well as driving the direct-to-consumer activity, Sullivan will be responsible for Fox’s existing digital portfolio, including FOXNow, FXNow, Fox Sports Go and the group’s international Fox Play services.

Fox said that Sullivan would work closely with Fox Networks Group president and COO Randy Freer and network channel chiefs John Landgraf, Hernan Lopez, Courteney Monroe, Gary Newman, Dana Walden and Eric Shanks to develop a single global commercial platform for digital.

Sullivan, who will be based in Los Angeles, will take up his new position on July 27.

“This new role not only returns me to my roots in the US, but also does so at a time of significant change within the video industry, one which is full of amazing new opportunities,” said Sullivan.

He added: “With its strength in content, creativity, and channels, both linear and on demand, I can’t think of a company better poised to benefit from these opportunities than Fox.”

Sullivan exited his post as CEO of Sky Deutschland after the pay TV operator had been subsumed into the Fox-backed Euopean Sky business.