Former ViacomCBS programming head in at Spotify

Julie McNamara, former EVP and head of programming at ViacomCBS-owned streamer Paramount+, has resurfaced at music and podcast streaming giant Spotify, where she has been appointed as head of US studios and video.

Reporting to Dawn Ostroff, Spotify’s chief content and advetitsing business officer, McNamara will take lead on the creative vision for US studios and key partnerships for Spotify originals, including with production companies Higher Ground, Archewell, The Ringer and Parcast.

McNamara spent 15 years at ViacomCBS, before her “bittersweet” departure in May, and was behind Paramount+ originals including spy drama The Offer and comedy series Guilty Party.

The exec was promoted to the role of EVP and head of programming at the streamer’s predecessor CBS All Access just last year, following a raft of changes at the company to expand its streaming offering.

While serving as EVP of original content for CBS All Access, she spearheaded the very first originals on the service including shows like Star Trek: Discovery and The Twilight Zone.