Netflix searching for new CMO

Netflix is searching outside the company for a new chief marketing officer, the streaming service announced Friday.Leslie Kilgore, who held the position for the past 12 years, is being elevated to the Netflix board as a non-executive director. Jessie Becker, currently VP of marketing, will step in as interim CMO."Leslie has been instrumental in our long-term success and our recent return to solid growth," said Netflix CEO Reed Hastings. "We are delighted she is joining our board of directors and will continue to be a key part of Netflix."The search for a replacement for Kilgore comes as Netflix shakes off the most turbulent period in the company's history. Disastrous decisions involving its pricing and DVD business left many on Wall Street with the impression the company was tone deaf to the marketplace--a problem bringing in fresh blood to a consumer-facing executive position could help rectify.Before joining Netflix, both Kilgore and Becker are veterans of Amazon; Becker has been with the compny almost as long as Kilgore.In addition, Netflix made a change on the corporate communications side, elevating Jonathan Friedland from senior VP to chief communications officer. Friedland joined Netflix nearly a year ago from Disney. Both Becker and Friedland report to Hastings. Netflix will announce its fourth-quarter earnings on Jan. 25. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com