Chang new Friend MTS CEO
June 2, 2021
By Colin Mann
Seasoned industry executive Derek Chang has been appointed CEO of content protection technology solutions provider Friend MTS, taking over the role from company founder Jonathan Friend, who will serve as Chief Product Officer (CPO) and continue to drive growth through the creation of the company’s advanced proprietary solutions.
With a career spanning three decades, Chang previously served as CEO of NBA China and has held leadership positions with several recognised sports, media and entertainment providers. He will be based in London.
“It is my privilege to join Friend MTS as we ramp up our innovation of the technology essential to protect the needs of a complex global media industry,” said Chang. “We are at the forefront of rapid changes in consumer behaviour, new business models and technology, and will ensure that creators, owners and distributors worldwide will have the formidable tools necessary to protect their valuable content.”
“As we continue to innovate with groundbreaking solutions that our valued customers and partners have come to expect, now is the time to transition to our next leader and we are thrilled to welcome Derek to the helm of Friend MTS,” said Friend. “With deep expertise in the global sports and entertainment space, Derek brings invaluable insight to leveraging technology to create an impactful footprint for an ever-evolving media and content ecosystem.”
Prior to leading NBA China’s business, Chang was Head of International Lifestyle Channels for Scripps Networks Interactive and had served as Executive Vice President, Content, DirecTV. He also held senior roles for Charter Communications, the YES Network and TCI Communications. Chang currently serves on the board of directors for Liberty Media Corp. and Isos Acquisition Corp., and formerly served on the board of Starz.
Chang was named one of the ‘50 Most Influential People in Sports Business’ by Sports Business Journal, as well as Cablefax Magazine‘s ‘Top 100 Executives in Cable’. He holds an MBA from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University. He is a member of the Committee of 100 and serves on the advisory board of Row New York.