Mass media giant Paramount has announced the appointment of Katie Coteman to the newly created role of SVP International Ad Sales. She is joined by Drachan Forster, who has become VP of UK Sponsorships.
Reporting to President of Paramount International Advertising Sales Lee Sears, Coteman will drive Paramount’s international ad sales strategy and revenue growth across the company’s ecosystem of free-to-air networks, pay TV channels, and streaming platforms.
The hire comes following Paramount’s recent decision to bring all UK sponsorships in-house. Coteman will oversee the newly formed team, as well as agency sales and partnerships across the European business.
Boasting more than 20 years’ experience from both agency and media owner side, Coteman was most recently GVP, Head of Advertising Sales and Partnerships at Warner Bros. Discovery. Her prior roles include VP of Advertising and Partnerships at Discovery Inc and Associate Director of Communications Planning at Carat.
“I’m really excited to join Paramount with its vast portfolio of loved local and global brands,” said Coteman. “The robust investment strategy in the UK, evidenced by the recent rebranding of 5, the UK’s 3rd largest commercial PSB channel, across linear, streaming and digital, coupled with the increased focus on in-house expertise, creates a tremendous opportunity. I look forward to working with Lee to build a first-class team that ensures our clients and partners get the very best from working with us.”
As VP of UK Sponsorships, Forster will report to Coteman. He will head the newly formed UK sponsorships team, overseeing commercial partnerships with the Paramount brands, working alongside the agency sales team.
Forster brings more than 25 years’ experience in brand partnerships, arriving from Sky Media, where he served as Head of Content Partnerships. Prior to this, he spent nine years at Viacom as Partnership Director.
“I’ve worked closely with Paramount for many years and over this time have seen the success of brand partnerships with 5 and the other Paramount channels,” said Forster. “This new role allows me to work from within Paramount and provide even greater integration, so it was an opportunity that couldn’t be missed.”
Coteman will join Paramount in September 2025, while Forster starts in June 2025.
