Lizzie Avery, the long-serving NBCUniversal (NBCU) international TV sales exec, has died aged 54.
The well-respected and much-liked Avery passed away unexpectedly earlier this month, her family said. She had spent nearly 24 years with Comcast-owned NBCU, rising from a sales administration manager role to eventually become SVP & EMEA Lead Sales Liaison for TV distribution.
For the past three years, Avery had led a regional sales team of 30 in EMEA.
“It is with great sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that Lizzie Avery, SVP & EMEA Sales Lead for TVD, passed away unexpectedly yesterday,” wrote NBCU’s President of Global TV Distribution, Michael Bonner, and EVP, Sales Liaison, International, Carolyn Stalins in a note to staff on December 8.
They called her a “deeply valued member” of the NBCU team, adding: “Her leadership, energy and warmth touched all of us, and her loss is immeasurable.”
Coincidentially, L.A.-based Stalins had this month been in London, where NBCU offered on-site counselling for staff members – a sign of stature in which the international executive was held within the company.
Avery had begun her career in theatrical sales for 20th Century Fox before a short spell at Disney. She joined NBCU in the early 2000s and began her climb through the ranks.
Her former boss at NBCU, Don McGregor, who is currently a consultant for Paramount and soon to join the Skydance-owned company full-time in the new year, was close friends with Avery. “Lizzie and I began working together at NBCU’s London office in 2002,” he said. “She quickly rose through the ranks as a sales leader, friend and mentor to the many lucky people who had the privilege of working with her. I genuinely believe there is no one like her in the world; she was a wonderful human being who made you strive to be a better person.
“Our business was so fortunate to have her as part of our community. The way she balanced being professional and confident in her negotiations while remaining personable and funny – not only as a genuine friend, but also as a colleague – made every interaction meaningful and important. Lizzie not only loved her beautiful family but also treasured her clients and colleagues tremendously. She will be deeply missed and will forever make an impact on the many people who knew her.”
McGregor’s sentiment was shared by many international acquisitions industry, and Deadline has heard from several expressing their sadness, even those on the other side of the negotiating table.
Sue Deeks, Head of Scripted Pre-Buy Acquisitions at the BBC, said: “I feel so very fortunate to have known Lizzie. Not only was she an absolute pleasure to deal with professionally, she was also one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet – kind-hearted, fun to be with, just a really lovely person. Her team simply adored her, and you could see why. Lizzie’s loss to all her many friends in the business is immeasurable. We will all miss her so very, very much.”
“I was lucky enough to have known Lizzie for over 20 years,” added Katie Keenan, Group Director of Acquisitions at Sky. “We came up in our careers together and often spoke about how we juggled our professional and personal lives – she was always a wise and steady counsel. It was a privilege to sit on the other side of the negotiating table from her – Lizzie always brought her A-game with grace, composure, and quiet strength. She loved her work and cared deeply for her people; I know her legacy will endure with the amazing team she built at NBCU’s GTVD.”
Avery is survived by her husband and two children.
