LiveXLive hires new CFO

Live music video streaming company LiveXLive Media has hired veteran tech exec Michael Zemetra, most recently chief financial officer (CFO) of cloud-computing giant J2 Global, as its new CFO.

Zemetra succeeds outgoing CFO Jerry Gold, who guided the growing business through its acquisition of internet radio service Slacker Radio and, most recently, its listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Gold, who joined the company last April, has been appointed chief strategy officer and joins LiveXLive’s board of directors.

“LiveXLive is positioned to capitalise on the massive opportunities in streaming music and live events, and I am thrilled to join as its chief financial officer,” says Zemetra, who was also previously CFO for in-flight entertainment company Global Eagle and senior VP at web content company Leaf Group (previously Demand Media).

“This is an exciting time to join the talented LiveXLive team, and I look forward to contributing to the next phase of the company’s growth and evolution.”

LiveXLive provides an online video network for streaming live music and music-related content. It launched in July 2015, and initially positioned itself as the “ESPN of premium live music experience” with its aim of creating a 24-hour network of live music broadcasting digitally and on mobile.

“As we approach the start of music festival season, we are extremely excited for our future”

In May 2016 it signed a strategic partnership with MTV to provide the broadcaster with LiveXLive’s stream of the closing night of Rock in Rio Lisbon (partnerships with Live Nation’s Outside Lands and AEG’s Hangout have followed since), and shortly after moved into ticketing with the acquisition of Wantickets following that company’s top brass’s controversial defection to Eventbrite.

It has since moved more into original content, with plans to develop a slate of “music news programming, documentaries, specials, and long- and short-form content”, and also recently launched a management division, LiveXLive Influencers, focusing on social-media stars.

“We are sincerely grateful to Jerry for his outstanding leadership and continuing contributions to the growth and success of LiveXLive and are pleased to have him join the board,” says Robert Ellin, CEO and chairman of LiveXLive. “Michael’s proven track record as a financial leader guiding highly relevant technology and media companies is an incredible asset that we will leverage as we continue to grow and build our market presence.

“As we approach the start of music festival season, we are extremely excited for our future and are focused on executing on the very significant opportunities ahead of us.”

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LiveXLive hires Jerry Gold as EVP and CFO

Loton Corp has hired former Warner Music exec Jerry Gold to serve as executive vice-president and financial officer of its LiveXLive live-streaming business.

Gold (pictured), who also managed Warner’s investment in its Columbia House JV with Sony Music and was previously a partner at Ernst & Young, will bring “tremendous experience, an unparalleled network and financial expertise to LiveXLive”, says its founder and CEO, Rob Ellin.

LiveXLive, which launched in July 2015, is positioning itself as the “ESPN of premium live music experience” with its aim to create a 24-hour network of live music broadcasting digitally and on mobile. Last May it signed a strategic partnership with MTV to provide the broadcaster with LiveXLive’s stream of the closing night of Rock in Rio Lisbon, and shortly after moved into ticketing with the acquisition of Wantickets following that company’s top brass’s controversial defection to Eventbrite.

“The live music streaming industry is massive and fragmented. Jerry’s experience will be invaluable to LiveXLive”

Ellin comments: “The live music streaming industry is massive and fragmented. Jerry’s experience, along with other music industry luminaries on our team, such as Phil Quartararo, the former CEO of Virgin Records, Warner Bros Records and EMI, will be invaluable to LiveXLive as we execute on our intent to be a consolidator in the space.”

“LiveXLive is reinvigorating the music business by filling the gap between live and accessible music experiences, with a sharp focus on mobile,” adds Gold. “Having spent much of my career in the global media and entertainment industry, I understand the passion, and increasing demand, for live music, and am excited to join the movement.”

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