A Filcro Media Staffing broadcasting chief engineer executive search for review by Tony Filson OIC

Filcro Media Staffing reporting to the TV Network CEO

Client

The Home Shopping Network - HSN, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSNI) is a $3 billion interactive multi-channel retailer with strong direct-to-consumer expertise and operates two business segments, HSN and Cornerstone. HSNi offers an innovative, differentiated retail experience on TV, online, via mobile, in catalogs, and in brick and mortar stores. HSN delivers a curated assortment of exclusive products and top brand names, and broadcasts live 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 364 days a year, reaching approximately 96 million homes. HSN.com is a top 10 most trafficked e-commerce site that creates a unique experience by leveraging content, community and commerce. In addition, HSN is an industry leader in transactional innovation, offering services such as HSN Shop by Remote®, the only service of its kind in the U.S.; mobile applications, including HSN apps for iPad®, iPhone®, Android™; and HSN on Demand®. Cornerstone is comprised of leading home and apparel lifestyle brands, including Ballard Designs, Frontgate, and Garnet Hill. Cornerstone operates eight separate e-commerce sites, distributes more than 300 million catalogs annually, and has 11 retail and outlet stores.

Search

Chief Engineer - St. Petersburg, FL - USA.

Client Situation

The Network CEO was seeking a honed TV engineering executive to assume the role of Chief Engineer.   Based on the advanced technology build-out, cross-platform dissemination and technological  leadership continuity required it was essential that the  Network identify a Chief Engineer capable of formulating, executing and bringing to fruition the Network’s current and future media and broadcasting technology needs. 

Industry and Sector inclusion for Universe Compilation

• Broadcast Television - Networks, Station Groups & Stations
• Cable Television Networks
• MSO - Multi-System Operators
• Technology and Media Conglomerates
• Technology Vendors to the Broadcasting Industry

Solution

FMS proceeded to Identify Chief Engineers, Vice Presidents of Technology and Directors of Broadcast Engineering and Operations from the surrounding geographics and moving outwards.

Based on Filcro Media Staffing’s experience with similar broadcast engineering executive searches it was apparent through O&D charting compiled internally that there was a rich pool of candidates for the firm to review in the Miami, Atlanta, DC/MD/VA, New York and New Jersey markets enabling identification, recruitment and attraction from the primary East Coast targets.

With OTA, Satellite, MSO and Online all being of relevance it was essential that cross-platform, multi-cast be part of this engineering executive's experience.

Many affiliate relationships were contingent upon the Networks NOC implementing new standards for CODEC development.  The varied platforms required different modalities and project management skills with internal clients, vendors and affiliates would be essential.

As the Network built and implemented this new technology it would require a technology executive who could speak on behalf of the Network to the broadcasting industry, vendors and attract IT and broadcasting engineering personnel as needed.  Mentoring skills were very important so a proper succession plan could be implemented from the onset of this technology initiative.

Based of the Network's culture this Chief Engineer would have to exhibit strong soft and hard skills.  There was no technology cocoon and this technology executive would be implementing business goals and monetization through technology needs that were not being conveyed by technologists. 

The ability to report into a technology savvy CEO with media technological vision for monetization on business and creative levels was extremely important.

Successful Chief Engineer Identified

A resourceful, innovative professional technologist with over 20 years of Broadcast Engineering and Operations Management experience within both domestic and international arenas that included 12 years executive level experience at a multi-billion dollar interactive multi-channel network with 27 owned and operated TV stations. He held P&L responsibilities with expertise in initiating projects and programs that boost efficiency, productivity, and sales revenue through state-of-the-art technologies.  He was a hands-on Broadcast Engineering  Manager with proven skills in analysis, coordination, conceptualization, negotiation, budgeting, building, and improvement of operations through policies that promote creative thinking, new avenues of business for the company, superior customer service, and a positive result for the corporate bottom line.

He managed all technical aspects of a TV station function including engineering, operations, IT, post production, distribution, recruitment, hiring and training of staff, budgeting, P&L, scheduling work and activities, establishing policies and procedures, performance evaluation and motivation of employees.

As a sincere technologist he researched the latest technologies and best practices to develop an 18-month proactive plan to transition a network to High Definition broadcasting across multiple media platforms.  He succeeded in a 13-month completion time and $1M under budget.

Efficiency, productivity and profitability were all synonymous with his name. At one point in his career he lead the design and rebuilding of over 27 television stations in different markets, within different parts of the country.  Identified needed technologies and successfully created state-of-the-art tech facilities and studios.  His work always increased consumer viewership, product sales and revenue dollars for the company.

This technology executive knew how to monetize technology through sound planning and project management in collaboration with or directed by business and creative executives who “did not speak technology”.

He also reduced operating expenses by coordinating the movement of post-production services from outside vendors, in-house.  Managed all aspects of the movement to internal needs achieving  annual savings that were equal to the current technology vendor budget..

His financial reporting skills were strong and allowed for a multitude of budgets to be adjusted and vendor contract to be renegotiated as substantial saving to the Network.

Leding a legal, technical and facilities negotiation team for acquisition of broadcast carriage in Puerto Rico, Mexico and Germany. He Successfully launched Hispanic and European Cable Networks.
 
 Summary

The Chief Engineer was successfully attracted and relocated to St. Petersburg, FL.

He has exhibited the technological and business leadership skills desired by the CEO and created a technology environment that is highly respected by the media and broadcasting communities.

It was a pleasure reporting to the Network CEO who was so instrumental in continuing to lead one of the World's most recognized brands in broadcasting and merchandising.
 

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Filcro Media Staffing Serving the Media and Broadcasting Industries Since 1985

Review of Filcro Media Staffing International media and broadcasting executive search firms across multiple media platforms. Tony Filson Officer in Charge of Search Filcro Media Staffing International - Copyright 1985 - 2012 All Rights Reserved for Reviews. http://www.ExecutiveSearch.TV  Filcro Media Staffing, Inc.