AT&T’s WarnerMedia announced last Friday new moves aimed to create the streaming service able to overcome Netflix in its own territory.
Otter Media is being realigned under the WarnerMedia Entertainment Group run by Bob Greenblatt, Chairman of WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-To-Consumer.
As part of the alignment and reporting to Greenblatt Tony Goncalves, CEO of Otter Media, will now also lead the development of the new WarnerMedia direct-to-consumer service, along with Otter’s existing brands and services.
Andy Forssell, most recently COO of Otter Media and former CEO of Hulu, will move to the role of EVP and General Manager of the new streaming service reporting to Goncalves.
Brad Bentley, who was serving as the streaming service’s General Manager, informed the company that he would be leaving.
Kevin Reilly, President, TBS/TNT/TruTV and Chief Content Officer of Direct-to-Consumer, will remain in that position reporting to Greenblatt.
“As we continue to build out our new streaming business and realign WarnerMedia functions, this step will facilitate further scale and focus in our efforts to offer customers an engaging and compelling product experience,” said John Stankey, CEO, WarnerMedia. “I’m confident that with Tony and Andy leading our product and operations, Kevin and HBO’s Casey Bloys guiding our content strategy, and with Bob at the helm, we have a formidable team creating a curated streaming service with a winning combination of content and features. I also want to thank Brad for his leadership in bringing the project to this point in record time.”
The realignment announced will bring together the digital businesses of the company at a time when the organization’s new direct-to-consumer platform is being built with access to content from HBO, the WarnerMedia cable networks, Warner Bros., plus a robust slate of new original content.
Goncalves joined Otter Media, the leader in fan-centric, digital-first entertainment, as CEO last year. Through AT&T’s acquisition of DIRECTV, he served as CEO of Digital Brands and Head of Strategy and Business Development for AT&T where he helped the company navigate the rapid pace of change in a digital centric world.
Forssell currently serves as EVP and Chief Operating Officer of Otter Media, as well as President of Fullscreen. He joined Otter from Fullscreen where he served as COO for several years, overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations, as well as leading technology and product development. Forssell has served in a number of CEO, COO and general management roles, at companies like Hulu and ShowYou, helping to define and evolve the world of streaming video from its infancy.
The new AT&T’s streaming service is expected to launch in early 2019 with its advertising platform to follow later the same year.
Image over the headline.- Tony Goncalves (left) and Andy Forssell. © Otter Media
