By Jonathan Easton

ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) has announced the launch of a new UK-based commercial team.

Velocity UK, a sub-brand of ViacomCBS’s international commercial division of the same name, will be focused on leveraging VCNI’s social platforms business in the UK and act as the exclusive source for clients looking to reach audiences across its social inventory.

The media giant said that this new business will work closely with Sky Media which will continue to handle VicaomCBS’s linear, VOD and sponsorship ad sales across the UK and Ireland.

Heading up Velocity UK will be VCNI EVP and GM of digital and ad sales Lee Sears. Sears will oversee the unit which will manage all digital and social inventory across VCN UK’s brands including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Channel 5 and the CBS portfolio of channels.

Specifically leading the UK based team is Amil Shah. Shah, reporting to Sears, has been promoted to the role of vice president of international and digital sales. Also joining this team is Christa Thompson – formerly of Vevo UK – as director of digital sales, and digital brand content manager Aphrodite Kapeleris

Sears said: “As our business continues to grow its digital and streaming priorities, we have the opportunity to meet increased demand in this space and serve different clients in new and exciting ways, enabling them to reach non-linear viewers across all demographics in an authentic way.

“Using the scale of ViacomCBS’ brands, intricate media and local UK knowledge, Velocity UK will create and place platform-intentional content across our valuable IP, delivering targeted campaigns and providing end to end brand safe solutions for clients.”