Accelerating its drive to embrace the digital world, Hearst Corp. has named Philip R. Wiser to the newly created position of chief technology officer. The announcement was made today by Hearst Corp. executives Frank A. Bennack Jr., chief executive officer, and Steven R. Swartz, chief operating officer.
Wiser is well known to the entertainment and consumer electronics industries, having previously served as chief technology officer for Sony Corp. of America.
More recently he was chairman and president of Sezmi Corp., a company Wiser co-founded in 2006 that delivered broadband and hybrid television solutions. Sezmi was sold in December 2011 to KIT Digital in a stock and cash deal valued at $27 million.
“Phil’s been on the front lines of the digital convergence,” Bennack said. “His experience as chief technology officer of a major media company and building digital companies in two different fields – television and music – will certainly help our businesses grapple with the changing landscape and continue to provide the best media and information products possible. We welcome him to Hearst.”
Wiser created the SCA Media Technology Group while at Sony, which was designed to unify the company’s digital media standards across all of its operations. He formerly was chief technology officer and head of Digital Businesses for Sony Music Entertainment, where in particular he helped drive mobile initiatives.
Prior to Sony, Wiser founded online music pioneer Liquid Audio Inc. He served as its chief technology officer from 1996 to 2001, during which time he led the company through its 1999 IPO. Subsequently, Microsoft Corp. paid $7 million for U.S. and foreign rights to many of its digital rights management patents.
“Hearst has been pushing the envelope in the digital arena for some time and has been very successful in leveraging its products and brands through new channels,” Wiser said. “I see great future potential and I’m delighted to join Hearst to help accelerate its efforts and maximize digital market opportunities across the corporation.”
Related links:
Hearst press release – http://tinyurl.com/6snyvz9
