Yap.tv is the latest social TV startup to announce a big hire from the TV industry. The company said it hired Todd Brown as chief revenue officer and EVP of business development. Most recently, Brown was VP at NBC/Comcast in sales and marketing, and before that, VP of distribution at Viacom.
“We are thrilled to add Todd Brown to our executive team,” said Trevor Stout, yap.TV CEO. “The TV industry is at a crossroads, where the broadcast model is moving from a one-way to a two-way relationship with the consumer, and Todd has an intimate understanding of how to capitalize on this trend while building value for the industry and consumers.”
Last week, Miso announced the hire of Colin Decker — previously of Current TV and Yahoo — to head up its product efforts. Earlier this month, Trendrr hired Meghann Sills Elrhoul, the former manager of analytics at Nielsen. Back in May, Zeebox hired Jason Forbes from Time Warner Cable Media.
These hires provide startups with much-needed credibility and contacts as they pursue new relationships with established players in the industry. It also illustrates that social TV is a promising space with growing traction in the wider TV industry. And you can bet this is just the beginning of many industry moves to come.