Next New Networks Restructures

NEW YORK: Next New Networks, the company co-founded by Herb Scannell that creates online TV networks, has created two new departments, one focused solely on building audiences and other dedicated to the programming slate.

The Audience Development Group, headed by co-founder Tim Shey, will now drive all audience-building efforts. This will include working with all of the company’s online channels and shows to gain exposure and create loyal fan bases, as well as strengthening ties with distribution and editorial partners.

Meanwhile, entertainment producer Kathleen Grace will now lead the company’s programming group, managing the team producing, sourcing and publishing the company’s current and new programming for existing and upcoming networks. Next New Networks veteran and Barely Political founder Ben Relles will work closely with Grace on programming and development efforts. Vanessa Pappas, who previously directed entertainment programming for the company, will spearhead audience-building efforts in the new Audience Development Group. Next New Networks’ creative services team, responsible for creating and developing the packaging, promos and branding for the company and its networks, will continue to report to Shey.

"We’ve had a lot of great successes this year at Next New Networks: we’ve launched a number of new shows, redeveloped our Web platform, we dominated the Webby Awards, we’ve secured major advertisers, and we’ve won millions of fans.," said Lance Podell, the CEO of Next New Networks. "Now’s the time to build on our brand and expand our footprint in the industry. When we launched Next New Networks, we were forging the way with TV for the Internet. Today, the industry has matured and this new organizational structure allows us to focus on helping the large pool of great creative teams producing quality programming to effectively brand, syndicate and develop larger audiences for their content. The addition of Kathleen, alongside Tim’s dedicated focus on audience development as a unique capability of our company, will enable us to best serve all our constituents and positions the company to be a lasting, important brand in pioneering TV for the Internet."