Vice Media Group has named Emily Spence as Chief Communications Officer.
Spence will oversee Vice’s global communications strategy across the company’s portfolio including Vice Studios, Vice Commercials, Vice Sports, advertising agency Virtue, and Vice digital. Spence will run corporate and executive communications, internal communications, media relations, brand and marketing communications, as well serve as the company’s official spokesperson.
Previously, Spence operated a consultancy working with entertainment and brand clients such as Flipper’s, Counterpart Studios, Future Shack Entertainment and Hound Productions. She previously served as Chief Communications Officer for MRC, where she was on the leadership team. Spence was responsible for developing and executing all communications strategies for the entertainment company and its portfolio of businesses including television and film studio MRC, including Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter, data company Luminate, and Dick Clark Productions.
As well as working with MRC, Spence her own communications practice with clients that included Amazon Studios, BuzzFeed, Warner Bros. Television, Meredith Corp. and Microsoft. Before that she was VP at USA Network, and she communications posts at FerenComm, Viacom, A+E Networks and Syfy.
“Emily is one of the most talented communicators I’ve had the pleasure of working with and I’m excited to have her join Vice at this moment of growth as we sharpen our focus and build what’s next across the Vice portfolio,” said Vice CEO Adam Stotsky, whom Spence will report to.
“Vice has long been a powerful storytelling force and I look forward to again working alongside Adam, as well as the broader leadership team, as we define the next era of this storied brand,” said Spence.
Vice Media has been on a roller coaster ride in recent years. The once high-flying digital media brand filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2023, after months of struggling to pay its bills. In 2017 it boasted a valuation of $5.7 billion on the back of its basic cable channel deal with A+E Networks and TV series licensing deals with HBO and other platforms.
Today, following the bankruptcy reorganization, Vice Media is owned by Fortress Investment Group, Soros Capital Management and Monroe Capital. The company recently recruited Paramount Pictures and Amazon veteran Amy Powell to head Vice Studios.
