Refinery29 has tapped Chris Sumner, previously an exec at Live Nation Entertainment, as senior VP of business development and strategy.

Sumner will lead brand strategy and business development for Refinery29, a digital-media company focused on female audiences. He will focus on the company’s live-events business, including the 29Rooms festivals, as well as expanding distribution for R29’s video content including Refinery29’s forthcoming over-the-top channel, which has been slated to launch in the fourth quarter.

Sumner, based out of Refinery29’s L.A. office, reports directly to chief operating officer Sarah Personette (Facebook’s former head of global business marketing who joined R29 last fall).

“Chris is a strategic thinker and a brilliant leader with a proven track record in building teams that are curious, nimble and compassionate towards each other and their partners,” Personette said in a statement. “As Refinery29 continues to scale and develop new revenue streams,...