Ovation Names Cable TV Veteran And Digital Media Entrepreneur Robert Weiss Chief Creative Officer
Former EQAL, FUSE, FX, and VH1 Executive to Lead Strategic Direction and Creative Vision for Ovation Across All Media Platforms
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec.4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert Weiss has been named Chief Creative Officer of Ovation, the only multi-platform network devoted to artists and every kind of artistic expression. Weiss will be based in the network's Santa Monica headquarters and will report to Ovation's CEO, Charles Segars.
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In this newly-created position, Weiss will be charged with the strategic direction and creative vision for Ovation's content and brand across all media platforms, including cable, satellite, broadband, VOD, SVOD, the Internet and mobile. Weiss will oversee all programming, development, marketing and branding, on-air promotions, production, public relations, acquisitions, program strategy and scheduling, talent relations, digital operations and research.
"Rob knows how to build entertainment brands made for the 21st Century, and he has that rare combination of both business and creative acumen to grow that brand into a multi-platform powerhouse. I have no doubt that Rob will bring energy and new thinking to Ovation," said Charles Segars, CEO, Ovation. "Ovation's growth has been unprecedented over the past six years and now is the perfect time to seize upon the success our team has had in ratings, distribution and advertising."
Weiss was most recently the Chief Operating Officer of EQAL, Hollywood's leading digital media company that creates and manages media properties for celebrities and consumer brands. As COO, Weiss oversaw all day-to-day business and creative aspects for EQAL's portfolio of more than 40 media properties, including its Celebrity Influencer Networks, Branded Entertainment Networks and Owned & Operated Networks. Weiss also had oversight of EQAL Media Studios, as well as all of EQAL's business operations, including human resources, research/analytics, business affairs, business development, marketing, publicity and social media strategy.
Under Weiss's leadership, EQAL's revenue nearly doubled in 2012 and its social media reach grew nearly 500% to more than 75 million consumers by launching 25 new celebrity media networks, including JenniferLopez.com and Bethanny.com. He was also responsible for the successful launch of u look haute, EQAL's YouTube-funded original fashion and beauty channel.
Commenting on his new position at Ovation, Weiss said: "There is only one cable network that focuses on the arts and culture – and Ovation is it. What a huge opportunity it is to grow Ovation's audience. I'm excited to tap into millions of media consumers who crave innovative and compelling entertainment – both those viewers who already know about Ovation and those new viewers who will soon discover Ovation's awesome programming to come in 2013."
Throughout his career, Weiss has transitioned between the creative and business sides of the industry; between digital media and traditional media; between being a seller and a buyer of content; and between large corporations and startup operations.
Prior to joining EQAL, Weiss was CEO and founder of Parkwood Media Ventures. This next-generation media incubator identified, developed and helped launch a diverse portfolio of content-centric entertainment businesses that span television, gaming, the Internet and wireless/mobile. Parkwood Media Ventures also targeted distressed media assets for sale, roll-up or turnaround.
Before his tenure as a media entrepreneur, Weiss served as a seniorlevel executive for a wide range of cable networks including VH1, FX and FUSE. With a track record of growing media companies with revenue-producing leadership, Weiss guided the FUSE network through a period of exponential success. While leading FUSE – ratings doubled, ad sales doubled, web traffic quadrupled and the cable network became the nation's #1ranked channel in audience concentration of 1234 year olds. Known as a highly-effective turnaround agent, Weiss tripled the amount of original programming across all of FUSE's media platforms to 1,500 hours, successfully launching 23 series on television, the Internet, VOD and mobile.
Earlier in his career, Weiss served for 10 years as co-CEO of Buccieri & Weiss Entertainment. This awardwinning multi-platform production company produced more than 2,000 hours of programming for cable, broadcast, syndication, international markets, home video and the Internet. Prior to that, Weiss was a successful print and broadcast journalist. By the time he was 25-years-old, Weiss had already worked as a producer for NBC's "TODAY Show" and as a staff reporter for the Los Angeles Times.
About Ovation
Ovation is a network devoted to artists and every kind of artistic expression. Ovation programming is a one-of-a-kind mix of original and selectively curated series, films, documentaries and specials. The network reaches a national audience of 51 million homes and is available on cable systems across the country, as well as nationally on DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-Verse. Ovation is also available in HD and VOD (both in standard and high definition). Ovation extends its linear channel experience for viewers online via its popular website, www.ovationtv.com . In addition, Ovation is also active in the social media space. See the Ovation Facebook page for the latest information and conversations about the network and the arts: http://Ovtn.tv/fb.
SOURCE Ovation
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