YouTube Taps Viacom Vet Shana Tepper As New Head Of Entertainment Comms

YouTube has added a noted communications vet to its top executive ranks.

Shana Tepper, who most recently served as VP of communications for Paramount Network, the Viacom-owned pay television channel, has been named head of entertainment communications for YouTube.

In her new role, Tepper will lead the press strategy for YouTube Originals, including all series and specials, Variety reports. (YouTube has recently announced a retooling of its originals strategy, after making all programming free

and centering future projects around three key pillars: music, education, and native creators). Tepper will continue to be based in Los Angeles, and will work closely with YouTube’s global head of original content, Susanne Daniels.

At Viacom, Tepper had been with Paramount Network (formerly known as Spike TV) for more than 15 years, and also headed up comms for Comedy Central. Prior to Viacom, Tepper briefly served as a publicist for NBC News.

“Having masterfully elevated the profile for several networks and smash series, Shana’s arrival at YouTube is key as we focus on creating a hit slate of global series and specials,” Daniels told Variety in a statement.