Company Launches & Partnerships
NEP Group has bought Mediatec Asia Pacific, extending NEP’s video display capabilities into Australia and other countries in the region. “Mediatec Asia Pacific has an exceptional reputation for service in the Australian market. I am very pleased to have them join NEP as we continue to expand our international video display and live events business,” commented NEP Group CEO Kevin Rabbitt.
Startup StartApp has created a platform to help publishers and advertisers monetize, distribute, and advertise apps. It partnered with Inneractive, a mobile ad exchange, to develop a new programmatic video ad exchange. It has inventory for more than 150 countries and more than 2,000 apps.
Univision Communications and Grupo Televisa are behind a new initiative to offer Latinos with more opportunities in the U.S. media and tech sectors in 2016, including education, mentorship and career development programs. The initiative “will create opportunities for a new generation in our industry at this critical time when it’s so important for diverse voices to be heard,” commented Alex Nogales, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition.
AT&T and DirecTV have started to link their operations after a $69 billion deal and will both raise their rates. U-Verse TV subscribers can expect $2-$4 monthly price hikes and other increases in other fees such as the “Regulatory Video Cost Recovery Charge” and a “Broadcast TV Surcharge.” DirecTV’s monthly rates will be jump $2 to $8 on most TV packages, as of Jan. 28. Other fees will also rise.
The African American Film Critics Association has relaunched the AAFCA Seal of Approval Program for film marketers and distributors. Titles that receive the AAFCA Seal of Approval must meet quality standards, including cultural/historical relevance, and are appraised by a special panel of AAFCA members, film journalists and academics.
Film
Josh Berger has been named the new Chair of the British Film Institute, making him the first American to head the most powerful film body in the UK. He will take over for the current chair Greg Dyke when his term expires in February. Berger is the President and Managing Director of Warner Bros in the UK, Ireland and Spain.
TV
CBS Chief Les Moonves is expected to become chairman of the board for CBS Corp. following the death of Sumner Redstone, 92. Redstone currently controls both CBS and Viacom through his National Amusements holding company. His interest will pass to his trust run by seven trustees.
Commentator Josh Elliott has left NBC Sports. Previous to that position, he was one of the hosts on Good Morning America. He is currently pursuing other opportunities.
Adam Fierro will not be returning in his position as Executive Producer of Narcos for Season 2. Fierro took over for Chris Brancato, who exited as showrunner in April for an overall deal at ABC Studios. Jose Padilha and Eric Newman are returning as EPs and working with the series’ writing team on the season. The Netflix drama returns in 2016.
Lika Blank has been promoted to general Producer at CTC Media, an independent broadcast company in Russia. Blank was previously head of the Domashniy and CTC Love channels.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has signed on former Google exec Michelle Guthrie as Managing Director, effective May 2016. In the new role, Guthrie will head editorial content and join ABC in April to replace outgoing exec Mark Scott.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has signed on Abby Ho to head up its new CBC Fullscreen Creator Network. The MCN launched in late September in a partnership that is intended to bring Fullscreen’s content to a Canadian audience, while providing the CBC with an expanded digital portfolio. Ho had previously been an interactive producer with the CBC since 2013 and was in charge of the broadcasting corporation’s digital comedy brand, Punchline.
Scripps Networks promoted John Feld to SVP of programming and production and Steven Lerner to SVP of programming and production for Scripps Networks Interactive. Scripps Networks Interactive named Suzanne Underwald as SVP, business and legal affairs, content distribution & marketing. Scripps Networks Interactive has launched HGTV, Food Network, and Travel Channel on Apple TV. Pay-TV subscribers will be able to access programming on demand or watch live streams of the nets.
Management, PR, Agencies
Full-service ad agency, offering strategic marketing, multi-platform media planning/buying, Young & Laramore has hired Taylor Harruff as a Brand Action Strategist and Christopher Weiper as a Web Developer.
Content-powered engagement agency, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing named Adam Jackson as Executive Creative Director and Peter Sloterdyk as Group Account Director.
International advertising, marketing and public relations agency Ogilvy & Mather has promoted Anthony Wong to Worldwide Effectiveness Director.
Award-winning digital agency specializing in search engine marketing, social media, mobile marketing and web design and development, 360i named Geline Midouin as Chief Talent Officer. Midouin will head recruitment, professional development and human resources across all agency offices. Geline was previously at Publicis Healthcare Communications Group, where she served as SVP of global human resources and resource management, supporting their global brands.
Austin agency GSD&M has hired Shannon Jensen and Sam Nelson as Associate Media Directors. Jensen was previously at TM Advertising, Nelson was formerly at LIN Digital. The agency has also added three Account Supervisors: Marie Graw, Patty Liendo and Brandon Santos. Graw joins from BI Worldwide, Liendo from Latinworks and Santos from Carmichael Lynch.
Atlanta agency 22squared has promoted John Stapleton, naming him Chief Creative Officer. Stapleton had been EVP and Chief Creative Director.
Music, Digital, Publishing, Misc.
Andi Poch has been named SVP of Sales at CBS Local Digital Media. Poch was previously SVP of Integrated/Digital Sales and Strategy at Townsquare Media.
Rodrigo Velloso will head the video-gaming division of Twitter. Previously, he was the Director of Gaming Partnerships at YouTube.
Investment app Acorns has hired Jennifer Barrett as VP of editorial and founding editor of Grow, Acorns’ new digital magazine. She was formerly a Personal Finance Editor for CNBC. Tom Arrix, former VP of Global Marketing Solutions at Facebook, is expanding his advisory role with the company as Chief Revenue and Partnership Officer.
IBT Media has named Arbell Noach VP and Director of social media, reporting to CMO Mitchell Caplan. Noach was most recently engagement lead at Doremus.
Enterprise social media marketing platform that helps marketers manage audience experiences and monitor brand engagement, Spredfast named Eric Anderson as Chief Revenue Officer.
Framestore, the Bafta and Oscar-awarding winning creative studio that offers a range of visual effects, production, direction and post production services, has upped Lucy Killick to managing director in their Montreal offices.