Longtime Disney Legal Executive Jim Kapenstein Takes New Role at Starz
Longtime Disney executive Jim Kapenstein has been tapped by Starz as the company’s new chief legal and strategy officer.
In his new role, he will report to Starz President and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch.
Photo: Variety
“Few executives bring the breadth of experience Jim does with his involvement in some of the largest transactions in media history,” said Hirsch in a statement. “His insight into guiding organizations through periods of transformation will be invaluable to us as we enter into our next phase of growth.”
Kapenstein’s Disney Career
A 30-year Disney veteran, Kapenstein most recently served as the company’s deputy general counsel.
Photo: Variety
During his time with Disney, he oversaw mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; joint ventures; antitrust matters; corporate finance; social responsibility initiatives; strategic transactions and alliances; consumer payments; and corporate structuring and governance.
Photo: The Walt Disney Company
He was also heavily involved in Disney’s acquisitions of 21st Century Fox, Hulu, Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm, as well as the recent deal in which the NFL purchased equity in ESPN.
Responsibilities at Starz
At Starz, Kapenstein will be tasked with developing the strategic direction of the company’s business and legal affairs. In this role, he will lead strategic corporate transactions and oversee the company’s governance and broader public company responsibilities.
Photo: Starz
“I am honored to join Jeff and the Starz team at such an exciting time in the company’s growth and evolution,” said Kapenstein in a statement.
“Starz has built an exceptional, profitable digital streaming business. I am looking forward to helping Jeff and his team shape the next stage of its growth and drive strategic direction through disciplined expansion, capitalizing on existing market opportunities and maintaining a best-in-class legal and corporate governance framework.”
Photo: MickeyBlog
