Crown Media Bolsters Distribution Team

Crown Media Family Networks has strengthened its distribution team with the appointment of Judi Lopez as executive VP of distribution and content strategy, along with three other key promotions.

Lopez, a 30-year cable industry veteran, now oversees every aspect of sales, negotiations, strategic planning and marketing efforts related to the company’s content distribution. She is charged with identifying new opportunities for revenue growth and strengthening relationships with current distribution partners, as well as implementing a strategy to expand Crown Media’s carriage across the OTT and nonlinear landscape.

Lopez will report directly to Wonya Lucas, president and CEO of Crown Media.

Prior to joining Crown Media, Lopez spent 13 years at Fuse Media as head of content distribution, advocacy and government affairs and partnership marketing. She also previously held senior executive positions at AMC Networks, including for AMC, Bravo, IFC and WE tv; Disney; and ESPN Media Networks.

In addition to Lopez’s hiring, Crown Media Family Networks has promoted Lisa Barroso to senior VP of content distribution and strategy, Holly Henderson to senior VP of distribution and Raquel Williams to VP of distribution. Barroso, based in Chicago, and Henderson, based in Studio City, both report to Lopez. Williams, based in Studio City, reports to Barroso.

“Judi is a strategic visionary, highly-respected professional and incredibly knowledgeable about the industry as a whole and the evolving complexities of the content distribution landscape,” said Lucas. “Judi’s accomplishments as a champion for diversity and inclusion, as well as her keen business acumen distinguish her as the perfect candidate to join our Crown Media team. I’d also like to congratulate Lisa, Holly and Raquel on their expanded leadership roles within the company.”

Lopez said, “I am deeply grateful to have a career that I love and that it has led to this amazing opportunity to work alongside Wonya Lucas and her team at Crown Media, some of the brightest and nicest people in our industry. I’m excited to help expand the already impressive reach of one of the most beloved brands in media and to build upon the amazing work already done to reach an even bigger and more diverse audience.”