U.K.-based online video firm Rightster buys Preview Networks

In a deal that substantially expands its reach, video distribution and monetization specialist Rightster has acquired international video distributor Preview Networks.

With the new addition of Preview Networks' 300 content rights holders and 2,500 publishers, Rightster will be able to expand its YouTube services across Europe, making it one of the larger distributors of film trailers in the region, a story in The Next Web said.

Preview Networks has a client roster that includes movie distributors, mainstream media agencies and "brands such as Disney, Havaianas, MTV, Peugeot and Sony," the story noted.

Adjacent but related to the acquisition news, Rightster also announced a series of personnel moves, including the appointment of Scott Leishman as global vice president of talent and resourcing. Leishman, who joined Rightster from Skype, has been tasked with working on the company's U.K. and international expansion.

Rightster has added a bevy of key personnel of late, including new Vice President of Product and Solutions Robin Pembrooke, Content and Partnerships Director Jonathan Bates and Rightster Studios head Ben Freeman.

The growing company also grabbed John Dillon from Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) as vice president of marketing and Donagh O'Malley from Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) TV as its general manager in moves that were "a little like watching the formation of new broadcasting through cherry-picking the mix of traditional and new media hires," the story continued.

Rightster said the senior team expansion was natural considering that the company has grown threefold and is now delivering more than 150 million YouTube views per month.

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