Laura Lee joined board on October 7, 2021
Laura Lee, is a seasoned technology and media executive, advisor, and board director.
Since 2018, Ms. Lee has been advising growth companies like Patreon Inc., Xoogler.co (ex-Googler network), and McKinsey & Company, Inc. Previously, she held senior positions at various media, technology, and consumer companies, including Executive Vice President of Content, Strategy, and Operations at NBC Universal Media LLC in 2017, where she oversaw over $2 billion in key digital investments and relationships with Snap Inc., BuzzFeed, Inc., Vox Media, Inc., and YouTube LLC (“YouTube”), new business opportunities, and digital content production.
From 2015 to 2016, Ms. Lee was the Chief Digital Officer and President of Media at Margaritaville Enterprises, LLC (“Margaritaville”), Jimmy Buffett’s lifestyle brand, where she grew Margaritaville’s digital footprint by 300% through original content, lowered the average fan age by 20 years, implemented CRM, digital and marketing infrastructures, and signed multi-million dollar deals for the new media business unit.
From 2007 to 2015, Ms. Lee worked at YouTube where she oversaw North American Content, the top revenue-generating division of YouTube (more than $5 billion), launched the global transaction (VOD/EST) business for YouTube and Google Play, and created the Global Top Creator team, which oversaw the relationships with YouTube’s most popular digital-native influencers. Ms. Lee was instrumental in helping both established and digital-native publishers create sizable YouTube audiences with strong links to their owned and operated properties, leading to greater than 200% increases in revenue for key partners.
Prior to her time with YouTube, Ms. Lee held various roles at Viacom Media Networks, Inc. from 2003 to 2007, including Vice President of Business Development and Operations at MTV Networks where she launched the first digital video business with Vice (VBS.TV) and acquired Harmonix Music Systems, the developer of iconic gaming hits Rock Band and Guitar Hero.
Ms. Lee currently serves on the board of MediaCo Holding Inc. (NASDAQ: MDIA) where she chairs several committees, including Audit, Digital M&A, and the COVID Task Force, and serves on the Compensation Committee. At MediaCo, she is helping the company reimagine its business model, expand its media asset portfolio, and deepen its digital footprint. She previously was an independent director on the board of American Apparel LLC where she served on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, led digital transformation, and helped conduct the Chief Executive Officer search.
Ms. Lee also serves on the board of WatchMojo, one of the top global entertainment networks on YouTube with over 45 million subscribers and 18 billion views (www.youtube.com/watchmojo). She provides strategic advice around content, product, and business expansion. She also sits on the board of Womensphere, a social enterprise business focused on empowering women and girls globally. She is an industry expert and has been recognized as a top executive by Variety, NACD, Crain’s New York, and Multichannel News. Ms. Lee proudly serves as a class officer for her Brown University class and is an active alumna of Harvard Business School.
We believe that Ms. Lee’s demonstrated experience in corporate finance, strategy, digital content and marketing, as well as in the technology and media industries qualifies her to serve as a director.