Press Release |
Press Release |
Press Release |
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - November 2, 2004 - Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO), a leading global Internet company, today announced the appointment of Lloyd Braun as head of Yahoo!'s media and entertainment division, which includes Yahoo!'s movies, TV, entertainment, music, games, finance, news and weather, sports, health and kids businesses. Braun will be based in Santa Monica, Calif., and report to chief operating officer, Dan Rosensweig. He will join the company on November 15, 2004.
"The combination of Lloyd's extensive business and deal making experience, deep and long-standing relationships in the entertainment and media industries, and his proven creative instincts make him the ideal person to realize the full potential of Yahoo!'s media and entertainment offerings," said Rosensweig. "With Lloyd's expertise, Yahoo! is better positioned than ever before to work with creative partners to deliver exciting new content.
"The growing consumer demand for compelling content on the Internet and the rapid proliferation of broadband is an exciting growth opportunity for Yahoo!, and we are committed to further bolstering what are already the leading content properties on the Web," added Rosensweig.
Braun was most recently chairman of ABC Entertainment Television Group, a division of The Walt Disney Company, a position he held from January 2002 until April 2004. Prior to that, he served as co-chairman of the division from July 1999. In this position, Braun had responsibility for all creative, programming and business areas of the division, which encompassed Touchstone Television and ABC Entertainment. During his tenure with the ABC Entertainment Television Group, Braun initiated and oversaw the development and production of such successful programs as "My Wife and Kids," "According to Jim," "Alias," "The Bachelor," "Extreme Makeover," "8 Simple Rules," George Lopez," "Less Than Perfect," "Hope and Faith," and "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Braun also oversaw the development and production of the new hit ABC series "Lost," "Desperate Housewives," "Wife Swap," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "Boston Legal". At the same time, he shepherded Touchstone Television into one of Hollywood's top suppliers of series programming.
Before overseeing the consolidation of Buena Vista Television Productions (BVTP) and ABC's Primetime Division into ABC Entertainment Television Group, Braun served as chairman of BVTP from April 1998 to July 1999, and was responsible for both the Touchstone Television and Walt Disney Network Television divisions.
Braun joined the The Walt Disney Company from Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, where he served from 1994 to 1998. As president, he played an integral role in building the company's television division and also oversaw the company's management and motion pictures divisions. While at Brillstein-Grey, he oversaw the development and production of such series as "Just Shoot Me,", "Newsradio," and "The Sopranos". Both "The Sopranos" and "Lost" are based on concepts originated by Braun.
Prior to joining Brillstein-Grey, Braun was a partner at the law firm of Silverberg, Katz, Thompson & Braun from 1989 to 1994, where he represented a variety of actors, directors and writers. He began his entertainment law practice at Silverberg, Rosen, Leon & Behr, where he worked from 1985 to 1989. From 1983 to 1985, Braun practiced law at the Los Angeles office of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, where he specialized in corporate transactions.
"I have watched with great admiration as Yahoo! has been driven to new heights over the past few years," said Braun. "It's an honor to be joining this terrific company, and I look forward to helping Yahoo! further develop its strategic relationships and maintain its position as the leader in providing compelling and unique content on the Web."
Born and raised on Long Island, NY, Braun is a graduate of Vassar College and currently sits on its Board of Trustees. He received his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law.
In December 2000, Braun received the L.A. Free Clinic's highest honor for his personal commitment to the clinic's philosophy that health care is right for all, not a privilege of the few. He currently serves as vice-chairman of the Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation, a fundraising organization whose main objective is leukemia research.
About Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is a leading provider of comprehensive online products and services to consumers and businesses worldwide. Yahoo! is the No. 1 Internet brand globally and the most trafficked Internet destination worldwide. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Yahoo!'s global network includes 25 world properties and is available in 13 languages.
Yahoo! and the Yahoo! logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Yahoo! Inc. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Media Contacts:
Joanna Stevens, Yahoo! Inc., (408) 349-7855, joanna@yahoo-inc.com