PromaxBDA CEO Jonathan Block-Verk Joins Shazam to Head Up TV Partnerships

New York – November 12, 2013 - Shazam®, the world’s leading media engagement company, today announced that Jonathan Block-Verk will join Shazam in the newly created role of EVP Strategic Partnerships, Head of Television.  Block-Verk will be responsible for developing strategic business relationships with the cable, broadcast, programming and MVPD communities, helping to leverage content, optimize new revenue streams and create compelling mobile experiences through the Shazam media engagement platform.

Block-Verk joins Shazam from PromaxBDA, the global association for television marketing executives, where he served as President and CEO for the last six years.  During that time, he launched the highly respected Station Summit and Sports Media Marketing Summit.  He also successfully drove the organizations reach throughout Europe and Latin America.  He is credited with reviving the organization, exponentially increasing its global membership and investing in education and diversity initiatives including the country’s first college-accredited television promotions program, Promo Pathway.

“Shazam is aggressively working with leading networks and production companies to drive ratings, engagement and revenue for our TV partners while providing an exceptional experience for consumers.  From driving tune-in for shows like Almost Human and Sleepy Hollow, to integrated content such as voting for The X-Factor or real-time scores for the U.S. Open, Shazam is a leader of the Second Screen.  We are especially proud of our most recent success with a half a million Shazams of the Country Music Awards broadcast.   With his extensive experience working with industry leaders, Jonathan is going to be a tremendous leader of our efforts around TV,” said Shazam CEO, Rich Riley.

Last week, a half million people Shazamed the CMAs to get exclusive content and downloads from the musicians featured.  With the new Newsfeed feature, Shazam was also able to drive tune-in of the program to three million users who have used the app with country music, to remind them to watch the CMA broadcast.  Plus, the X FACTOR selected Shazam to launch its first mobile voting capability on a third party app to drive engagement in the show.  More and more, broadcasters are turning to Shazam for its unparalleled scale to create exciting and engaging second screen experiences to drive both tune-in and loyalty.

“I have spent my career working at the intersection of media, technology and audience engagement, helping the world’s most innovative television and advertising executives contextualize and embrace the evolving media landscape,” said Jonathan Block-Verk.  “I couldn’t be more excited to join the Shazam team, working with the television industry to successfully – and profitably – take advantage of this incredible new platform that is already redefining the future of our business.”

Block-Verk is the latest industry leader to join Shazam as the company is aggressively recruiting and expanding its offices and its expertise in television.  Earlier this year, Shazam hired Kevin McGurn, formerly of Hulu, as its new Chief Revenue Officer and Daniel Danker, formerly of the BBC, as its new Chief Product Officer.