Isaac Lee

When Lee was 23, he reported that Colombia's then president Ernesto Samper had received funding from the Cali Cartel. Lee was fired immediately afterward.{{Cite web | url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/d803c9e6-a2bf-11e2-bd45-00144feabdc0.html | title=Univision of the Future | first=Andrew | last=Edgecliffe-Johnson | date=April 12, 2013 | publisher= Financial Times}}

At the age of 25, Lee was appointed editor of Cromos. At 26, he was named editor-in-chief of the Colombian magazine Semana. During his tenure at Semana, the magazine became a publishing house with several titles and digital properties. The magazine was crucial in several of Colombia's most important political junctures. A 1997 cover story forced two Colombian cabinet ministers to resign shortly after.{{Cite web|title=Timeline of Colombian history - Wikipedia|url=http://wikipedia.nd.ax/wiki/Timeline_of_Colombian_history|website=wikipedia.nd.ax|language=en|access-date=2020-05-12}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Semana also covered political corruption, guerrillas, the military and paramilitaries, narco-traffickers and the peace process.

Lee founded and was the editor-in-chief of PODER Magazine, a pan-regional magazine for the business elite with special editions for the US Hispanic market, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela and Peru with a total circulation of over half a million copies. The magazine was later sold to Televisa and other investors.

On December 9, 2010 Univision announced the appointment of Lee as President of News.{{cite web |url=http://corporate.univision.com/leader/isaac-lee/ |title=Isaac Lee, President of News |website=Univision |access-date=February 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829082306/http://corporate.univision.com/leader/isaac-lee/ |archive-date=August 29, 2014}}

Shortly after joining Univision, Lee announced he was working on the launch of a 24-hour cable news channel in English; the new channel was officially announced in May 2012 as a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and Univision.{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/abc-news-univision-announce-multiplatform-plan/story?id=16292412 |title=ABC News, Univision Announce Multiplatform Plan |date=May 6, 2012 |website=ABC News |access-date=February 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508023930/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/abc-news-univision-announce-multiplatform-plan/story?id=16292412 |archive-date=May 8, 2012}} In February 2013, both networks announced the new channel would be called Fusion.{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/abc-news-univision-announce-cable-network-called-fusion/story?id=18468776 |title=ABC and Univision Announce New Cable Network 'Fusion' Will Launch Later in 2013 |last=Kim |first=Susanna |date=February 11, 2013 |website=ABC News |access-date=February 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212142547/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/abc-news-univision-announce-cable-network-called-fusion/story?id=18468776 |archive-date=February 12, 2013}}

Two new departments within news were created in 2011:{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/univision-bets-big-on-news-1118041849/ |title=Univision bets big on news |author=Anna Marie de la Fuente |date=August 27, 2011 |website=Variety |access-date=February 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111330/https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/univision-bets-big-on-news-1118041849/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016}} an Investigative Unit led by Gerardo Reyes{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/News/page/univision-news-investigation-operation-fast-furious-weapons-revealed-17352963 |title=Univision News Investigation Into Operation Fast and Furious; New Weapons Revealed |website=ABC News |access-date=February 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002072108/https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/News/page/univision-news-investigation-operation-fast-furious-weapons-revealed-17352963 |archive-date=October 2, 2012}} and a Documentary Unit led by Juan Rendón.{{cn|date=March 2024}} The Documentary Unit later became StoryHouse a content development and production venture producing original content for UCI's portfolio of owned networks as well as third party networks and platforms.{{cite web |url=http://corporate.univision.com/2016/05/univision-communications-inc-launches-new-los-angeles-based-development-and-production-unit/ |title=Univision Communications Inc. Launches New Los Angeles Based Development and Production Unit |website=Univision Communications Inc |date=May 11, 2016 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719055055/http://corporate.univision.com/2016/05/univision-communications-inc-launches-new-los-angeles-based-development-and-production-unit/ |archive-date=July 19, 2016}}

Under Lee's tenure, Univision News has attained several recognitions for journalistic excellence such as the 2012 Peabody{{cite web |url=http://peabodyawards.com/2013/03/72nd-annual-peabody-awards-complete-list-of-winners/ |title=72nd Annual Peabody Awards: Complete List of Winners |website=Peabody Awards |access-date=February 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518145332/http://peabodyawards.com/2013/03/72nd-annual-peabody-awards-complete-list-of-winners/ |archive-date=May 18, 2013}} and IRE Awards{{Cite web |url=http://www.ire.org/awards/ire-awards/winners/2012-ire-award-winners/ |title=Investigative Reporters and Editors - 2012 IRE Award winners |access-date=2013-06-27 |archive-date=2013-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629130911/http://ire.org/awards/ire-awards/winners/2012-ire-award-winners/ |url-status=dead }} for its "Fast and Furious" investigation, three Emmy's for outstanding investigative reporting, outstanding newsmagazine and outstanding breaking news coverage and two Gracie awards,[http://www.thegracies.org/2013-grace-awards.php 2013 Gracie Awards Winners] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921075433/http://thegracies.org/2013-grace-awards.php |date=2013-09-21 }} and the Cronkite Award for Excellence in Political Journalism.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cronkiteaward.org/ |title=Cronkite Award 2013 Winners Announced |access-date=2013-04-13 |archive-date=2015-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503023028/http://www.cronkiteaward.org/ |url-status=dead }}

In February 2015, as part of a reorganization of Univision's digital operation, Lee's role was expanded to lead Digital for all of Univision as President of Digital.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fates-and-fortunes/univision-promotes-digital-execs/137865 |title=Univision Promotes Digital Execs |last=Winslow |first=George |date=February 9, 2015 |website=Broadcasting & Cable |access-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210085458/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fates-and-fortunes/univision-promotes-digital-execs/137865 |archive-date=February 10, 2015}} Shortly after, under Lee's leadership, Univision announced the acquisition of African-American news site The Root.{{cite web |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/920a0990-ffcf-11e4-bc30-00144feabdc0.html |title=Univision buys African-American news site The Root |last=Bond |first=Shannon |date=May 21, 2015 |website=The Financial Times |access-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029071840/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/920a0990-ffcf-11e4-bc30-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=October 29, 2015}}

In November 2015 Lee was named to the newly created position of chief news and digital officer, with additional responsibilities over multicultural and music and maintaining oversight of the news and digital divisions.{{cite web |title=Univision Promotes Isaac Lee to Chief News and Digital Officer in Multicultural Content Push |date=2015-11-17 |website=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330053127/https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/univision-isaac-lee-promoted-chief-digital-officer-1201642307/ |archive-date=2023-03-30 |url-status=live |url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/univision-isaac-lee-promoted-chief-digital-officer-1201642307/}}

In 2018, Lee co-founded Exile Content Studio with several fellow former colleagues. Exile was acquired by Candle Media in 2022,{{cite web|title=Exclusive: Candle taps James Goldston for new nonfiction studio|url=https://www.axios.com/2023/02/21/candle-james-goldston-nonfiction-studio |website=axios.com|date=February 21, 2023|access-date=November 21, 2023}} with Lee continuing to lead the subsidiary.{{cite web|title=Candle Media to acquire Exile Content Studio|url=https://www.axios.com/2022/05/24/candle-media-to-acquire-exile-content-studio|website=axios.com|date=May 24, 2022|access-date=November 21, 2023}}

• Board of Directors Associated Press{{cite web |url=http://www.ap.org/content/press-release/2014/ap-names-three-new-directors-and-re-elects-another-at-annual-meeting |title=AP names three new directors, re-elects another at annual meeting |date=April 30, 2014 |website=Associated Press |access-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501034937/http://www.ap.org/content/press-release/2014/ap-names-three-new-directors-and-re-elects-another-at-annual-meeting |archive-date=May 1, 2014}}
• Board of advisors of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/February-2013/David-Axelrod-on-His-Move-to-the-University-of-Chicago/ |title=David Axelrod on His Move to the University of Chicago |website=Chicago magazine |date=February 2013 |last=Johnson |first=Dirk |access-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113185352/http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/February-2013/David-Axelrod-on-His-Move-to-the-University-of-Chicago/ |archive-date=January 13, 2013}}
• Journalism advisory board of ProPublica.[https://www.propublica.org/about/leadership/ Board and Advisors - ProPublica]
• International Advisory Board of the Committee to protect journalists.
• Hirshhorn Museum{{Cite web |title=Hirshhorn Elects Four New Trustees and Announces Record-Setting Fundraising Year |website=East City Art |url=https://www.eastcityart.com/art-news/hirshhorn-elects-four-new-trustees-announces-record-setting-fundraising-year/ |date=16 November 2016 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925132223/https://www.eastcityart.com/art-news/hirshhorn-elects-four-new-trustees-announces-record-setting-fundraising-year/ |archive-date=September 25, 2021}}
• Frmr. Boardmember Legendary Pictures
• Board of Directors Ualá

Lee is also a member of the IAPA, the NAHJ, the Foro Iberoamérica Presided by Ricardo Lagos and Carlos Fuentes and the Council on Foreign Relations.

• Paraiso Travel (2008) He was a producer of feature film "Paraíso Travel", an immigration story based on a novel of acclaimed writer Jorge Franco.{{Cite magazine |url=https://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1721458,00.html |last=Padgett |first=Tim |date=March 11, 2008 |title=An Honest Look at Illegal Immigration |language=en-US |magazine=Time |access-date=March 4, 2024 |issn=0040-781X |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722175214/https://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1721458,00.html |archive-date=July 22, 2014}}
• When lambs become lions (2019) Lee was the executive producer{{Cite web|title=WHEN LAMBS BECOME LIONS|url=http://www.whenlambs.com/|website=WHEN LAMBS BECOME LIONS|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-08}} for this feature film where a small-time ivory dealer fights to stay on top while forces mobilize to destroy his trade. When he turns to his younger cousin, a conflicted wildlife ranger who hasn't been paid in months, they both see a possible lifeline.

• El Chapo (2017) Produced{{Cite web|title=Univision and Televisa's chief of content, Isaac Lee, steps down|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-univision-televisa-isaac-lee-20180717-story.html|date=2018-07-17|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-08}} TV Series for Univision and Netflix about El Chapo's life in crime, from his lowly beginnings in the Guadalajara Cartel in the 1980s through his rise to power—and eventual fall—as the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.
• Colombia Hostage Rescue (2010) In 2010 he co-produced{{cite web |title=Isaac Lee on IMDB |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2796614/ |website=IMDB |publisher=imdb.com |access-date=15 May 2019}} his first documentary "Colombia Hostage Rescue" for National Geographic TV which aired in 13 countries.
• Operación Jaque He also co-produced with Televisión Española an International Emmy Award nominated TV mini-series about Operación Jaque.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1567715/fullcredits#producers "Operation Checkmate" (2010) - Full cast and crew]
• Who Killed Malcolm X 6 part investigative follows activist and investigative journalist Abdur-Rahman Muhammad as he embarks on a complex mission seeking truth about the assassination of the African American Leader Malcolm X.{{Cite news|last=Leland|first=John|date=2020-02-06|title=Who Really Killed Malcolm X?|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/nyregion/malcolm-x-assassination-case-reopened.html|access-date=2020-05-14|issn=0362-4331}}
• TrumpLand Fusion teams up with “Kill All Normies” author Angela Nagle to examine the social and political forces which have emboldened white nationalists in the age of Trump, in this follow-up to the emmy-nominated: The Naked Truth-Trumpland.

• Mars 2030 VR A virtual reality exploration of Mars with a realistic future habitat on the surface of the red planet. The simulation includes a dig into the history of the planet's landmarks in immersive 3D. Developed in collaboration with NASA and MIT.{{Cite web|title=Mars 2030: What It Was Like to Explore the Red Planet in Virtual Reality|url=https://www.space.com/37663-space-tries-mars-2030-virtual-reality.html|last=July 2017|first=Sarah Lewin 31|website=Space.com|date=31 July 2017|language=en|access-date=2020-05-12}}

Lee is openly gay.{{cite magazine|last1=Morales|first1=Ed|title=The New Wave of Latin TV: Inside the Fusion Network|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/the-new-wave-of-latin-tv-inside-the-fusion-network-20131113|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=13 November 2013|access-date=13 September 2016}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://exilecontentstudio.com EXILE CONTENT Homepage]
• [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2796614/ Isaac Lee on IMDB.com]

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Category:1971 births

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Category:American people of Colombian-Jewish descent