Netflix hires top Facebook communications executive ahead of international expansion
Netflix has hired top Facebook executive Rachel Whetstone as its new chief communications officer.
Whetstone joined Facebook in September last year to run communications for Whatsapp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger.
The former head of policy at Uber and Google will run global communications for the streaming service as it looks to expand internationally.
Netflix chief executive, Reed Hastings, said: “Rachel is a proven communications leader and a strong addition to the Netflix team.
“Her deep knowledge and international expertise will be invaluable as we bring Netflix and its expanding line-up of original content to an increasingly global audience.”
The company recently announced plans to spend an increasing share of its $8bn programming budget outside the US – with about $1bn on original productions in Europe.
The Bristol University graduate worked as a political advisor at the Conservative central office before joining Google in 2005, where she rose to senior vice president of communications and public policy.
She left the company after a decade and took up the same position at Uber, before joining Facebook last year.
Whetstone said: “I’m so excited to be joining Netflix and be part of this amazing company’s story.”