Joanna Shields and Elisabeth Murdoch start new venture

Former Bebo CEO Joanna Shields is to launch a digital media content company with Elisabeth Murdoch, chairman and CEO of independent TV production company Shine Group.

Joanna Shields
Joanna Shields

Shields will take the role of CEO at the as-yet-unnamed venture, to launch on October 1, which will “pursue a strategy of investment, development and cross-discipline partnerships aimed at fusing the traditional genre of television production with the reach, power and engagement of social media”.

The company will also focus on bringing Shine Group content online. The group consists of US producer Reveille, which is responsible for shows such as Ugly Betty, as well as UK production companies Kudos and Princess Productions.

Shields will also sit on the Shine Group advisory board.

Shields said, “We are entering an exciting new era where community, content and communications are coming together to transcend existing media formats. From real-time conversations to location-aware devices and community-powered media we are already seeing a glimpse of things to come. Liz and Shine Group are the ideal partners to work with to translate these glimpses into meaningful opportunities.”

Shields left Bebo in May this year (nma 27 May 2009) to return to London and explore entrepreneurial interests. While at Bebo she oversaw the broadcast of many popular online drama series, including KateModern and Sofia’s Diary.

This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk

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