News. Corp. announced that it has hired Peter Levinsohn as president of Fox Interactive Media (FIM). He replaces the current FIM President Ross Levinsohn, who has just resigned from his position. The two Levinsohns are distant cousins.
Peter Levinsohn was formerly president of digital media for the Fox Entertainment Group. He was hired to this position in 2004. Peter Levinsohn headed Fox's development of their video-on-demand business, which brought the Fox network's primetime series to the internet on an ad-supported basis through MySpace.com and the MyFoxLocal websites.
"Peter is a highly respected executive who has proven himself an effective leader who not only has a deep understanding of this company, but has also overseen one of the most aggressive digital expansions of any media organization," Peter Chernin, president and chief operating officer of News Corp. "At this point in FIM's evolution, Peter's adept leadership, keen knowledge of the complexities of the digital space and ability to work skillfully across multiple business lines makes him the ideal person to lead this important asset into the future."
Former FIM President Ross Levinsohn did not announce any future plans but says, "Launching Fox Interactive Media has been one of the most energizing and fulfilling experiences of my career. It has been incredibly exciting to be a part of something that's pioneering a new way for people to live their lives on the web. I realize there are incredible opportunities in the marketplace and I look forward to my next venture."
Ross Levinsohn's resignation comes a week after another FIM executive COO Mark Jung announced he was leaving FIM. It is speculated social networking site and MySpace.com rival Facebook.com is courting Jung to be their next CEO.
The week saw many executive promotions and hires in major digital media companies.
Yesterday, Microsoft Corp. announced it is moving Joanne Bradford, the company's head of global ad-sales and marketing, to lead its MSN division.
On Wednesday, Time Warner Inc. named former NBC Universal TV COO Randy Falco as the new chairman and CEO of its AOL online unit replacing Jonathan F. Miller.