NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, Oct. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lachlan Murdoch, the future Chairman and CEO of "FOX," the company to be spun-off in connection with the merger with The Walt Disney Company, today announced key leadership appointments across the Company's sports, distribution, ad sales operations and corporate functions.

Key appointments include:

• Eric Shanks, elevated to Chief Executive Officer of FOX Sports from his current role of President, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Producer, FOX Sports;
• Mike Biard, elevated to President, Operations and Distribution for FOX from President, Distribution for Fox Networks Group;
• Paul Cheesbrough, promoted to Chief Technology Officer and Head of Direct to Consumer Platforms for FOX; currently serves as 21CF's CTO;
• Marianne Gambelli, elevated to President of Ad Sales for FOX; currently serves as President of Ad Sales for FOX News Channel and FOX Business Network;
• Steve Tomsic, promoted to FOX's Chief Financial Officer; currently serves as 21CF's EVP, Finance and Deputy CFO.

The appointments are effective upon the close of 21CF's Disney transaction and the creation of FOX.

"We are fortunate to be able to continue working with these enormously talented executives who have helped make our businesses the incredible successes they are today," said Lachlan Murdoch. "Collectively they bring to FOX the vision, entrepreneurial spirit and proven track records to position FOX to seize future opportunities for its leading and deeply resonant brands across sports, news and entertainment."

As previously announced, John Nallen will be appointed Chief Operating Officer of FOX, Suzanne Scott will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer of FOX News and FOX Business Network, and Jack Abernethy will remain Chief Executive Officer of Fox Television Stations. In addition, Viet Dinh was recently named the Chief Legal and Policy Officer of FOX.

Eric Shanks, who currently serves as President, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Producer FOX Sports, has been elevated to Chief Executive Officer at FOX Sports. In addition to overseeing all entities within FOX Sports, including FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes and all digital ventures, Mr. Shanks will be responsible for setting the long-term vision and programming strategy for the Company's overall sports business. Mr. Shanks will report to Lachlan Murdoch. His bio is here.

In his new role as President, Operations and Distribution for FOX, Mike Biard will oversee the company's multi-platform distribution strategy as well as the operations of The Lot. In addition, he will participate with the leadership team on content acquisition strategies. He currently serves as President of Distribution for Fox Networks Group. In his new role he will report to John Nallen. His bio is here.

Paul Cheesbrough, currently Chief Technology Officer for 21CF, will expand upon his current purview at FOX to also include oversight of the company's direct-to-consumer strategy. In his new role, Mr. Cheesbrough will drive the company's investments in technology and direct-to-consumer platforms. He will report to Lachlan Murdoch. His bio is here.

Marianne Gambelli, the current President of Ad Sales for FOX News and FOX Business Network, will assume a broader role at FOX as its President of Ad Sales. In her new role, Ms. Gambelli will oversee all linear and nonlinear sales across FOX's portfolio of brands, including FOX Broadcasting Company, FOX Sports, FS1, FS2 and FOX Deportes, in addition of FOX News Channel and FOX Business Network. Ms. Gambelli will report to Lachlan Murdoch. Her bio is here.

Currently serving as 21CF's Executive Vice President of Finance and Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Steve Tomsic will serve as the Chief Financial Officer for FOX and will report to John Nallen. His bio is here.

About 21st Century Fox
21st Century Fox (NASDAQ: FOXA, FOX) is one of the world's leading portfolios of cable, broadcast, film, pay TV and satellite assets spanning six continents across the globe. Reaching more than 1.8 billion subscribers in approximately 50 local languages every day, 21st Century Fox is home to a global portfolio of cable and broadcasting networks and properties, including FOX, FX, FXX, FXM, FS1, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FOX Sports, Fox Sports Network, National Geographic Channels, Star India, 28 local television stations in the U.S. and more than 350 international channels; film studio Twentieth Century Fox Film; and television production studios Twentieth Century Fox Television and a 50 per cent ownership interest in Endemol Shine Group. The Company also holds approximately 39.1 per cent of the issued shares of Sky, Europe's leading entertainment company, which serves nearly 23 million households across five countries. For more information about 21st Century Fox, please visit www.21CF.com.

SOURCE Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.