IBC365’s update on company appointments, resignations and restructures across the content and broadcast industry.
Downey departs Deltatre with live chief Mas stepping up to head OTT division
Deltatre has appointed live division president Gilles Mas as president of the company’s OTT division, replacing Ron Downey who will step down.
Downey joined the company when it bought UK-based OTT firm Massive, which he co-founded, in November 2018. He will remain on the board and act as a strategic advisor.
Mas will take over from Downey, having spent seven years at Deltatre. Under his current role, he is responsible for driving the company’s live strategy working with top sports leagues and broadcasters such as the English Premier League and the BBC.
He will be replaced as live president by digital division chief Tony Page, who will add the live division responsibilities to his existing portfolio.
Commenting on his move, Downey said: “This is the next logical step in the evolution of Deltatre post-merger with Massive. We are now one strong integrated company – leading our category globally, and I’m delighted to be able to continue my support for the group through continued involvement on the board and as an advisor.”
Deltatre CEO and Co-founder, Giampiero Rinaudo said: “The fact that this integration happened so positively and so quickly is a testament to Deltatre’s strong management team and the similarity of Deltatre’s and Massive’s cultures. All this would not have been possible without Ron’s full support and commitment, and we are very happy that he will continue to be involved in our future. OTT is our biggest division, and Gilles, who has managed our Football and Live divisions exceptionally well is the perfect candidate to succeed Ron.
Euro Media Group names Gibson as CTO CTO
Euro Media Group has appointed Bevan Gibson to the role of chief technology officer.
Gibson will join the broadcast facilities and services provider on 1 October. He will replace outgoing CTO Ronald Meyvisch.
For the past six years, Gibson has been CTO of ITN. Prior to that he was responsible for the operational aspects and technology strategy of Sky Creative.
In his new role, Gibson will be lead EMG’s technology strategy. EMG said he would be responsible for delivering several of the company’s “critical future-focused technological concepts”.
Read more: Euro Media Group appoints new CTO
TikTok poaches Disney exec for CEO role
TikTok has appointed Disney’s video streaming boss Kevin Mayer as its new chief executive.
Mayer has served as chairman of Disney’s direct-to-consumer and international business since the unit was formed in 2018. In that time, he has overseen the development and launch of Disney+, the Mouse House’s SVoD platform.
Prior to this he was Disney’s executive vice president, Corporate Strategy, Business Development, and Technology, and was seen as the company’s mergers guy, having been involved with the purchases of Pixar, Marvel Entertainment, Lucasfilm, Club Penguin and Maker Studios, as well as its agreement reached in December 2017 to acquire most of the 21st Century Fox assets.
He will join social video firm TikTok as CEO in June, when he will also become chief operating officer of parent company ByteDance.
Ofcom names new director of content standards, licensing and enforcement
Ofcom has announced that Alison Marsden has been appointed as director of content standards, licensing and enforcement.
She will be leading the team with responsibility for setting and enforcing content standards for television, radio and on-demand services and Ofcom’s broadcast licensing programme.
She will also sit on Ofcom’s Content Board, a committee of the main Ofcom Board, which has advisory responsibility for a wide range of content issues.
Before joining Ofcom in 2007, Marsden worked in television production, firstly at the BBC producing and directing specialist factual and factual programmes, and later for various independent production companies.
Marsden said: “I’m thrilled to be taking on this role. I look forward to helping Ofcom maintain high levels of protection for broadcast and on-demand audiences, and ensuring that we license broadcasters in a way that’s effective but also reflects the challenges the industry faces.”
Viaccess-Orca names new CEO
OTT solutions provider Viaccess-Orca (VO) has named Philippe Leonetti as its new chief executive, replacing Paul Molinier.
Leonetti joins the company, which provides OTT and TV platforms, content protection, and advanced data solutions, from French telecoms firm Orange – the parent company of VO.
Leonetti was previously in charge of the IT and service platform security for France Telecom and then the Orange Group until 2007. Since 2008, he served as the vice president of smart access for home and mobility and later as the senior vice president of steering of innovation at Orange Group.
UK names commissioner for cultural recovery
The UK has appointed chair of The Landmark Trust, Neil Mendoza as its new commissioner for cultural recovery, tasked with helping film, theatre, galleries and entertainment venues recover from the coronavirus lockdown.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the cinema and entertainment industry to a grinding halt, with lockdown limiting businesses dramatically.
Mendoza, who was appointed by culture secretary Oliver Dowden, will look for the “strongest, most innovative ideas for its renewal” and present them to DCMS Ministers and officials.
Speaking about Mendoza’s appointment, Dowden said: “Our local, regional and national institutions have been trailblazers in coming up with innovative ways to reach audiences during the lockdown. Our focus now turns to paving the way for the reopening of the country’s cultural hubs including theatres, galleries, museums and entertainment venues, when it is safe to do so.
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