ViacomCBS poaches BBC Studios’ Anna Priest for UK marketing

ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) has hired BBC Studios’ Anna Priest as its UK SVP, chief marketing officer. 

Priest will be tasked with oversight for the Channel 5 owner’s UK branding and marketing functions. In particular, she will be responsible for “shaping and implementing brand vision and strategy across VCN UK’s channel portfolio, in close partnership with the programming leadership team.”

In addition, Priest will lead a multidisciplinary team which spans professionals in creative, PR, media planning, social media and marketing. She is charged with furthering the broadcaster’s ‘One ViacomCBS’ narrative, and developing a deep understanding of its UK audience.

Priest joins from BBC Studios where she was a brand strategy and marketing consultant, and previously worked as the launch marketing director for BritBox. She also had held roles at A+E Networks and had a variety of positions at the BBC.

Priest is based in London and reports to director of programmes Ben Frow, who said: “Anna’s deep understanding of high-impact marketing teamed with her impressive track record of successes within UK broadcasting make her an excellent addition to our programming leadership team. She will play a key role in continuing to evolve and drive awareness of our house of iconic brands, and I am delighted to welcome her on board.”

Priest said: “I’m hugely excited to be joining the talented team at ViaComCBS at such a pivotal moment for the business. I can see many opportunities to build brand equity and share of voice, connecting audiences with the impressive slate of content across multiple platforms.”