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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