Former News Corporation strategy executive, Matthew Anderson, to become the media streaming software player's first global chief marketing officer
Fast-growing media streaming software company, Roku, has appointed former News Corporation international executive, Matthew Anderson, as its first chief marketing officer (CMO).
In the newly created role, Anderson will be responsible for global marketing and communications across the US-based company’s three business units – device sales, content and services, and OEM partnerships. He is already well known to the company internally, having spent the past year as a consultant assisting with corporate strategy and development.
Anderson was also on-board during Roku’s recent fund-raising efforts, which saw US$60 million added to its coffers from an institutional investor and Hearst Corporation. Other high-profile entertainment investors in the business include BSkyB and News Corporation.
Prior to his advisory role, Anderson was group director of strategy and corporate affairs for Europe and Asia at News Corporation, focused on the performance of its 21st Century Fox television business as well as various branding and marketing initiatives. He was also previously at BSkyB and formerly the CEO of Ogilvy’s PR Asian and European networks.
“The explosive growth of streaming is the most exciting trend in media and Roku is well-known for pioneering the streaming experience,” Anderson said. “I have enjoyed working closely with the Roku team and relish the opportunity to connect millions of new customers with Roku’s ingeniously easy way of making great entertainment instantly available on TV.”
Roku creates streaming software that delivers video, music and games to the TV, and provided the first device to stream Netflix to TV in 2008. It claims to have streamed more than one billion hours of video and music last year and was ranked 42nd in Fast Company’s 50 most innovative companies list for 2013.
Roku founder and CEO, Anthony Wood, added Anderson’s deep media and marketing experience will help amplify its brand penetration and lead the business into its next phase of growth.
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