MeeVee Names Ian Aaron to its Board of Directors

MeeVee--a start-up specializing in the development of personalized programming search and recommendation engines (note: the company was formerly known as MyDTV, but rebranded earlier this year, in order, it said at the time, to reflect the fact that it is developing products for use on multiple platforms in addition to digital television, including PC's, PDA's and mobile phones)--has named high-profile interactive TV industry veteran, Ian Aaron, to its board of directors. Aaron was most recently president of Gemstar-TV Guide's TV Guide Television Group, overseeing the company's EPG and other businesses in the cable and satellite spaces. He left Gemstar in March, after serving less than two years in that role, and, according to a Form 8-K that the company filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, subsequently received a cash settlement of $1,671,750. Prior to his stint at Gemstar, Aaron served as CEO of VOD distribution services company, TVN Entertainment. "I am joining MeeVee at an extremely exciting time for the television and entertainment industries and look forward to working with [MeeVee CEO] Gil [Dudkiewicz] and his executive team to expand the company's strategy and business," Aaron said in a prepared statement. "In a growing sea of digital channels, video-on-demand and on-line programming, consumers are demanding better ways to search, manage and schedule their viewing choices. MeeVee's patented technology and platform bring new innovations to help viewers cut through the clutter, find, and organize the programming they love whether from their TV, PC or mobile phone."

In other MeeVee news: the company has promoted Michael Raneri from chief marketing officer to chief operating officer, and also named him to its board. Raneri--who joined the company earlier this year after a nine-year stint at Charles Schwab, where he most recently served as SVP of ecommerce--will continue to oversee its marketing efforts, and will now also be in charge of product development, engineering and operations. "As consumers flock to MeeVee.com in search of a better way to search programming and experience television, this is an ideal time to broaden Raneri's role as chief operating officer of the company," Dudkiewicz said in a prepared statement. "MeeVee's business operations have grown to the point where Raneri's past experience leading major ecommerce initiatives for Charles Schwab, Inc. will add incredible value." (Note: for a detailed description of MeeVee's technology, see [itvt]'s interview with Dudkiewicz in [itvt] Issue 5.46 Part 1.)

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