Nancy Dubuc takes CEO post at Vice Media

The former president and CEO of A&E Networks replaces Vice co-founder Shane Smith.

nancydubucA day after her departure from A+E Networks as president and CEO was made public, Nancy Dubuc has been confirmed as the CEO of Vice Media.

Dubuc replaces Vice co-founder Shane Smith, who will move into the role of executive chairman.

“Why Nancy Dubuc? Simply put, because rarely in business do you get to work in a perfect partnership,” said Smith in a statement. “First off, she is better than me at everything. Second, it allows me to move to executive chairman, where I can concentrate on the only things that I am good at: content and deals.

“Thirdly, as we go forward Vice needs a best-in-class management team to harness all of this growth and control our own destiny, whether it be staying independent, strategically partnering with someone or going public,” he added. “Lastly, I get to work with one of my best friends and media heroes. We are a modern day Bonnie and Clyde and we are going to take all your money.”

“Shane and the team at Vice have done what all of us aspire to do – build a brand and make content that people really care about,” said Dubuc. “Vice speaks to a generation that defines today’s cultural conversation, and the opportunity to partner with all of the incredibly creative people across the entire company was one of those rare moments in a career. As the next chapter of media is written by founders such as Shane and Suroosh [Alvi], it’s an honor to join a brand with such tremendous opportunity and I look forward to growing the platform for decades to come.”

In October 2015, Dubuc oversaw the joint venture agreement between A+E and Vice Media that launched fledgling cable channel Viceland in February 2016 and led to a 20% stake in Vice Media Holdings, of which she is a member of its board.

Smith elaborated on the decision in a note to staff, which read in part:

“In looking for a professional CEO, we are in need of one who can master; the content world, the digital world, the business world, and who is at the same time an operator extraordinaire. These people are obviously few and far between, but I believe we have found the absolute best in class with Nancy.

“Nancy and I have spent much time deliberating on the best way for us to partner up in a shared mission of maximizing the great potential this company holds. She believes in Vice, she believes in our mission, and she believes in all of you.”

From Realscreen