Crown Media Family Networks Taps EVP, General Counsel

Crown Media Family Networks has brought in seasoned legal executive and media industry veteran Jonathan Sichel to serve as its new executive VP, general counsel.

Sichel is charged with leading all legal and business affairs matters associated with Crown Media. He will provide strategic guidance to the senior leadership team on a range of issues impacting key areas of the business, including ad sales, marketing, digital, strategic alliances, production, distribution and more. He will oversee activities related to the acquisition, development, production and post-production of entertainment content, the consequent negotiation of deals for talent, content rights, and services. In addition, Sichel will act as the company’s primary legal liaison for the legal team at parent company Hallmark Cards, as well as outside counsel, and will consult on such matters as corporate litigation, intellectual property, employment law and compliance.

Prior to joining Crown Media, Sichel was executive VP of distribution sales and strategy at AMC Networks.

“As a top legal mind in the entertainment industry for more than two decades, Jonathan’s depth and breadth of experience will be instrumental to our continued success, especially as we navigate the seismic changes reshaping the media landscape,” said Crown Media’s president and CEO, Wonya Lucas. “In addition to his formidable professional track record, Jonathan has a reputation as thoughtful, warm, kind human being and leader, and it’s my great pleasure to welcome him to the Crown Media team.”