Chernin’s OTT firm names president

OTT investment business Otter Media has upped Sarah Harden to president.

Otter was formed last year as a joint venture between former Fox and News Corp. boss Peter Chernin’s company and telco giant AT&T.

The firm launched with US$500 million to invest in OTT and online platforms and content businesses.

Harden has been upped from executive VP, strategy, and will now run Otter as president. Like Chernin, she is a former News Corp executive. She joined the Chernin Group in 2013 and subsequently moved to Otter.

She was instrumental in the acquisition of MCN business Fullscreen, anime platform Crunchyroll, and arts and crafts site Creativebug.

“Sarah has been integral to Otter Media’s rapid development and success since formation,” said Jesse Jacobs, president of TCG.

“She has successfully led a wide range of activities spanning M&A, operations, strategy and day-to-day execution. I look forward to continuing our work to further develop and grow all of Otter’s OTT businesses.”

Harden, who is on the boards at Crunchyroll and Fullscreen, said: “Helping build and develop Otter Media since its inception has been an extremely rewarding experience and has laid a solid foundation for me to manage the venture in its next stage of growth.”

Otter’s other key investments are digital studio Rooster Teeth, which Fullscreen acquired last year, and digital marketing agency McBeard.