[July 09, 2014]

Veteran Media Executive Lauren Zalaznick Joins Refinery29 as Strategic Advisor

Refinery29, the media and technology company focused on millennial women, announced today that seasoned media executive Lauren Zalaznick has joined the company as a strategic advisor. Zalaznick will work closely with the Refinery29 executive team, including the company's founders, Philippe von Borries and Justin Stefano, to further solidify Refinery29's grasp of the millennial audience and expand the media company into a nationally recognized style and entertainment brand.

"We raised our Series C round with the purpose of expanding our entertainment and digital teams. Having Lauren's expertise to help shape our strategy and advise our team in these new categories is invaluable to us," said Justin Stefano, co-founder & co-CEO, Refinery29.

"Lauren's extensive experience in building media and entertainment companies across multiple platforms will be instrumental in growing Refinery29 into a globally-recognized brand for an entire generation," added Philippe von Borries, co-founder & co-CEO, Refinery29. "Her creative and intellectual approach to scaling and operating successful media companies as well as developing best-in-class programming strategies is incredibly impressive to our team."

As an advisor, Lauren will wrk with the Refinery29 executive team on overall strategic growth objectives, including monetization, programming strategy, business partnerships, and organizational planning, with the goal of deploying new strategies across their growing entertainment vertical to fuel growth.

"Refinery29 has accomplished something that is no easy feat: successfully creating a fashion and style-focused media brand for the digital generation, whose content is at once accessible, aspirational, and fun," says Zalaznick. "Their keen understanding of how to deeply engage millennial women through content and storytelling, on a beautiful and tech-forward platform, is notable in today's media landscape. I look forward to working with their team on their next phase of growth into original fashion and entertainment content, and beyond."

From her start as an independent feature film producer to her most recent role as executive vice president at NBCUniversal, Zalaznick's business interests have increasingly focused on the intersection of content, technology, and data as a means for substantial growth. At NBCUniversal, Lauren oversaw cable networks including Bravo, Oxygen and Style, and digital networks Fandango and Daily Candy, building destination programming for upscale consumers and women. She sits on the board of Shazam, NATPE (News - Alert), and the Sundance Institute Director's Advisory Council. She is an angel investor and senior advisor to several successful entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, both in the Valley and in NYC.

For more information and to browse content, visit www.Refinery29.com.

About Refinery29

Refinery29 is the largest independent style website in the United States and the fastest growing media company on the 2013 Inc. 500 list. Through its 24/7 original editorial content, global and local newsletters, and engaged social community, Refinery29 inspires millennial women to live a more mindful, artful and enlightened life. Refinery29 is based in New York, NY and has raised $30.4 million in funding from Stripes Group, FLOODGATE, First Round, Hearst Corporate, Lerer Ventures, Eastern Capital, and more.

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