MUMBAI: Internet pioneers Mark Jung and Jim Heckman will take on key leadership roles for Fox Interactive Media (FIM). This announcment was made by FIM president Ross Levinsohn.
IGN CEO Jung will become COO for FIM, while Scout.com founder and CEO Heckman will become chief strategy officer.
IGN, the primary online destination for young male gaming and entertainment enthusiasts and Scout.com, a leading online sports network, were purchased last year by News Corporation and today operate under the Fox Interactive Media banner.
Jung and Heckman will relinquish their operational roles at IGN and Scout respectively and will turn their attentions to building Fox Interactive Media.
"Mark and Jim are true visionaries in the Internet space, each having built and run extremely successful companies from the ground up. They are both savvy managers and possess the kind of entrepreneurial spirit that has always been the heart of our company," said Levinsohn.
"Fox has amassed some of the most exciting sites on the web. I am looking forward to working closely with Ross, Jim and the rest of the team on integration and creating a truly unique Internet offering," said Jung.
"When you consider the power of Foxs worldwide brand coupled with its already massive on-line reach, the possibilities for strategic growth are boundless. Its a very exciting time for FIM, and Im thrilled with the opportunity to play a role in its development," said Heckman.
Jung will oversee the day to day operations for the burgeoning online network of sites, including sales, technology and product and content development. The network now has 70 million monthly users and 24 billion page views. Monetizing those sites will be at the forefront of his focus, along with integrating existing and future online properties.
Heckman, who founded and built three separate online networks over the last 10 years, will focus on overall strategic planning, growth opportunities and corporate development.
Fox Interactive Media manages the internet assets from all News Corp. divisions, including the highly trafficked foxsports.com; Americanidol.com and fox.com. With the 2005 acquisitions of Intermix Media, parent company of MySpace.com; Scout Media and IGN Entertainment, News Corporation has quickly ascended to the top echelon of internet properties.
