March 2009
Hearst Corporation has appointed George Kliavkoff, Executive Vice President and Deputy Group Head of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication effective immediately.
Kliavkoff will be charged with leading digital expansion of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication, the operating group responsible for Hearst’s interests in cable television networks, including ESPN, Lifetime, A&E and History; television production and distribution; newspaper syndication; and merchandise licensing.
“George is a digital media pioneer with a long track record as an innovator and a change agent in both new and traditional media companies and we are looking forward to benefiting from his experience and vision here at Hearst,” said Scott Sassa, president of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication.
“George will be an invaluable contributor as we look ahead to developing meaningful and scaled digital assets across the Entertainment & Syndication Group and Hearst’s diverse stable of powerful brands.”
Commenting on the announcement, Frank A. Bennack, Jr., vice chairman and CEO, Hearst Corporation said, “George’s appointment reflects the critical importance of the digital transformation of all Hearst businesses. He will be an integral part of digital advancements in the Entertainment & Syndication Group and an important resource to senior staff across the Corporation.”
Kliavkoff was most recently chief digital officer at NBC Universal, where he was among the team responsible for the success of Hulu.com, NBCU’s online video joint venture with News Corp., playing a key role in its conception and design. He was the video site’s first CEO and served on the JV’s board.
In addition, he vastly expanded the company's digital media strategy, developing new business models and markets and overseeing the distribution of video and other products and services across digital platforms. Kliavkoff was also a driving force behind the digital traffic and revenue growth across NBCU and a number of digital media investments through the Peacock Equity Fund, which he helped form and where he sat on the board.
Prior to joining NBC in August 2006, Kliavkoff served as EVP, business, Major League Baseball Advanced Media, Major League Baseball’s interactive media and Internet company. Kliavkoff’s responsibilities included managing MLB’s online and mobile subscription and licensing businesses; managing MLBAM's search strategy and games licensing programs; and overseeing all business development related to baseball's interactive media unit.
Before MLBAM, Kliavkoff led the business development group for the consumer division of RealNetworks, the digital entertainment services company, where his responsibilities included developing partnerships and revenue opportunities related to technology and content licensing. He was among the senior management group that created the company's online media subscription services, including RealOne SuperPass, generating more than a million retained, paying customers.
Prior to RealNetworks, Kliavkoff was an attorney with law firms in Los Angeles and Seattle.
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