Tony Goncalves, a long time executive with AT&T and DirecTV, is joining over-the-top media company Otter Media as chief executive.
Otter Media, which is a joint venture of Los Angeles-based Chernin Group and AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), said Goncalves has extensive experience in digital business, premium content and consumer engagement. Most recently he was CEO of digital brands for AT&T where he oversaw the Otter Media relationship with the Chernin Group and led the strategy for the company's entry into OTT with DirecTV Now.
Prior to AT&T, Goncalves held a number of roles at DirecTV. He founded and led the company's digital products division where he spearheaded the shift to mobile video and innovation outside the traditional content distribution space, including the launch of the NFL Sunday Ticket OTT product.
"Tony has been our partner on Otter Media for almost four years, and during that time, it was evident that he is a thoughtful, strategic executive who is hugely passionate about furthering the growth of one of the premier digital media companies," Peter Chernin, Otter Media chairman and Chernin Group CEO, said in a statement. "Over the last six months, we started discussing having Tony join Otter full-time, and we are delighted that he has agreed to assume the role of CEO. We know he will apply his formidable talents to help us take this company to the next level.”
Otter Media was formed in 2014 to acquire, invest in and launch global over-the-top media services. Otter said it aims to take advantage of the rapid growth of online video services and emerging social fandoms. One of its strategic focuses is to invest in and build advertising and digital media services for targeted audiences.
Otter Media's portfolio includes Fullscreen, a youth media and social marketing company; Rooster Teeth, a digital content producer; Ellation, Otter's SVOD-focused company which manages Crunchyroll, a subscription and ad-supported video platform for Japanese anime, and VRV, a multichannel video platform built for fans of anime, animation, gaming, comedy, fantasy and technology; Gunpowder & Sky, an independent studio; and Hello Sunshine (minority), a cross-platform brand and content company for women founded by Reese Witherspoon.
"I'm passionate about this company and industry segment, and I'm excited to work with the incredibly talented teams within Otter Media's portfolio, said Goncalves. "These innovative companies have already hit impressive milestones. I look forward to building on this stellar foundation to create a scaled global, digital-first, fan-centric media company.”
Currently, Otter Media has more than 90 million unique viewers per month and garnered almost 100 billion video views in 2017.
"Tony has been an instrumental part of our journey at Otter Media,” said Chernin Group President Jesse Jacobs. “His strategic expertise and intuition have been vital in driving Otter's rapid growth over the past four years, and we know the company is in safe hands under his leadership. We are thrilled for him to take the reins and lead our next phase of success. This is only the beginning.”