Sauer to head Airbeem
May 22, 2018
OTT content distribution platform Airbeem has appointed Thorsten Sauer, former President of Ericsson Broadcast and Media Services, as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Airbeem works with media companies, sports brands, broadcasters and content owners to create their own online video channels providing off-the-shelf solutions to enable any media owner to create their own OTT channel. The company recently secured Series A funding round lead by Edge Investment to enable it to scale its product R&D sales and marketing and customer success teams worldwide.
Sauer has extensive experience in the telecommunication and media industries. In 2001, he joined Ericsson and held a number of positions, overseeing the creation of one of the world’s largest media services companies. As President of Ericsson Broadcast and Media Services, now known as Red Bee Media, he developed the business organically and through the acquisitions of Technicolor’s Broadcast Services division (2012), Red Bee Media (2014) and FYI Television (2016). Before joining Ericsson, he worked as a senior business consultant for Siemens Management Consulting.
“The appointment of Thorsten to our board comes at a time when we are investing heavily in sales and marketing to significantly grow the business,” noted Steve Hardman, Airbeem CEO. “We believe we have a disruptive technology approach to video experience and OTT distribution for the direct to consumer market, providing premier content owners innovative monetisation tools to grow their channels and deliver their content to audiences with a tailored, enhanced user experience and a significant different commercial approach. Thorsten’s appointment brings valuable industry experience and vision to help us shape the vision of our OTT platform for the middle market.”
“Consumers habits prove the future of TV is over the top,” remarked Sauer. “I look forward to bringing my industry knowledge to further help Airbeem enable content owners to launch direct to consumer OTT channels around the world and help drive global growth of the company.”