About chrisvn
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Industry AdvertisingDigitalFilmInvestmentMediaMusicTelevision
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Sector Business DevelopmentCorporate ConsultingCorporate DevelopmentFinanceM&AStrategic PartnershipsStrategy
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Preferred Job Title CDO (Chief Digital Officer)CSO (Chief Strategic Officer)ConsultantFounderGeneral ManagerSenior Vice PresidentVice President
Summary
Chris is a technology and media executive whose expertise in strategy, finance and management has spanned M&A, corporate strategy and early experience as software engineer. His 16-year career in has included positions at Disney, NBC Universal, Hulu, ESPN and Akamai as Chief Strategist of Media and Entertainment.
Experience
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2013
RED ROAD ADVISORY
Founder
Launched firm to serve as a corporate development extension for media and tech companies. Sought out by clients across industries to lead go-to-market strategy design/execution, financial modeling, seed and growth capital fundraising, development of strategic partnerships, and operational readiness for liquidity events. Clients have included: The Players’ Tribune – $9.5M funding, successful exit Next Management Partners – business model, successful acquisition, Phase 2 growth strategy Pure Growth – business model development, partnership, M&A execution Extreme Channel – business plan and growth strategy, $8M capital raise, expansion into OTT/SVOD market
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2010 - 2012
Akamai
Chief Strategist, Media and Entertainment
Recruited by this $13B global content delivery network (CDN) and service provider. Led teams in the development and launch of value-added services in the midst of digital transformation, growing competition, and service commoditization. Defined and drove strategy for two of Akamai’s most successful value-added services suites—security and data, significantly contributing to the media division’s 66%+ growth in annual revenue to $500M over 3 years. Created the corporate development framework which resulted in 2 new partnerships and the acquisition of Contendo. Led industry initiatives internally and externally: UltraViolet, TV Everywhere, B2B digital transfer, content indexing, universal ID, and media warehousing.
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2009 - 2009
Jumpwire Media
Vice President, Strategy
Started company with Founder/CEO to develop and execute analytics-driven social media solutions for large media companies. Transformed customized project-specific service approach, developing a portfolio of data-driven offerings that grew revenue from zero to $3M in the first year while increasing margins. Negotiated $400K+ annual retainer with Naspers. In 2011, company was named one of Fast Company’s 10 Most Innovative Companies in Media. Clients included Sony, Virgin, Katie Couric, Coca-Cola, AMC, and ABC.
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2007 - 2008
Hulu / NBCUniversal
Vice President of Digital Distribution
Recruited by the NBC/News Corp./Providence Equity Partners joint-venture premium video startup to create a distribution network and work with the incoming CEO and CTO for the 2008 launch. In partnership with Fox/NBC CTOs, selected and vetted potential tech partners and negotiated deals (e.g., Adobe, Akamai, HP, AMC, Smithsonian, Conde Nast, and Discovery). Designed commercial and operational models, developed board presentations, and secured content deals that drove the transformation of Hulu into the premium destination for live and on-demand TV and movie content. Created a distribution network of 34 publishers.
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2004 - 2006
24/7 REAL MEDIA
Director
Following completion of M.B.A., recruited to leverage finance expertise, process/reporting rigor, and ROI perspective to position rapid-growth adtech company ($193M market cap) for sale. Strategic advisor to CFO on operational performance against key metrics. Improved efficiency, including the reduction of software product release cycle times. Company was sold to WPP for a 3.25 revenue multiple ($649M transaction).
Education
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Columbia Business School
MBA, Leadership, Finance
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University of Washington
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science