Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier Exits for Roku

Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier is pivoting to streaming. On Thursday, Collier announced he's exiting Fox Corp. in favor of Roku, taking on the role of president of Roku Media, effective in late October. The former broadcast chief will oversee advertising sales, the company’s ad platform business and content for Roku’s owned-and-operated channels, including The Roku Channel. The hiring of one of linear’s top executives signifies Roku’s commitment to becoming a “next-generation media company” as the platform pushes to expand further internationally and accelerate the global shift to streaming, according to a statement from the company. “There is a tremendous opportunity to further accelerate and evolve Roku’s business as the streaming platform built for advertising, and Charlie is the ideal person to help us capitalize on the moment,” Roku founder and CEO Anthony Wood said in a statement. “He is a proven leader who brings vast experience, a history of evolving businesses, strong creative instincts, talent relationships, and a track record of driving revenue and growth. He will play an integral role in helping us achieve even greater success as a next-generation media company.” Collier has been the CEO of Fox Entertainment since 2018 and oversaw the company’s acquisitions of TMZ, the production company MarVista Entertainment and the animation studio Bento Box, with which Fox has launched Blockchain Creative Labs. He also oversaw hits such as The Masked Singer, Next Level Chef and new drama Monarch. Roku Wraps Largest Upfront Ever, Surpassing $1 Billion in Ad Commitments “It has been a privilege and pleasure to work alongside so many remarkable Fox colleagues as well as the countless talented creators, creative partners and executives that define the Fox culture,” Collier said in a statement. “Roku is a pioneer in streaming television and has achieved scale and significant relationships with our partners that will continue to be unique and valuable at this pivotal time in the industry,” Collier added. “As a partner of Roku, I’ve seen firsthand the power and potential the platform provides advertisers, partners, content creators and consumers. I’m eager to work with Roku’s talented team to continue to innovate, grow and bring the company and its partners to the next level.” Collier's appointment comes alongside two other senior-level executive shifts at Roku. The company promoted senior vice presidents Mustafa Ozgen Gidon Katz to president, devices and president, consumer experience, respectively. Collier, Ozgen and Katz will all report to Wood. “As Roku grows internationally, these positions will help bring more focus to key areas of our business as the global shift to streaming continues,” Wood said. Room for growth In July, Roku wrapped its largest upfront ever, surpassing $1 billion in spending commitments despite experiencing a “significant slowdown” in TV advertising spend. As a result, Roku withdrew its full-year revenue growth rate estimate and expects net revenue to increase 3% year over year in the third quarter. The platform currently has 63.1 million active users. Collier’s hire comes as Roku continues to push into original content following the launch of Roku Originals last year. The investment into content has been followed up with staffing additions over the last 18 months. Roku hired former Quibi execs Colin Davis(head of scripted originals) and Brian Tannenbaum (head of alternative originals) last year. In March, the company tapped former ITV America chief creative officer David Eilenberg as its head of original content. Collier’s surprising move to Roku didn’t just catch the overall industry by surprise but also many folks at Fox. There is no word yet on a successor for Collier, and a Fox Entertainment spokesperson told Adweek that the company has a “great team” in place, and an announcement on his replacement will be “coming soon.” "We want to express our gratitude to Charlie for his leadership, his contributions and his unbridled enthusiasm,” said Lachlan Murdoch, executive chair and CEO, Fox Corp., in a statement. “He and his team have executed a creative strategy in entrepreneurial and profitable ways that leveraged our broadcast leadership to build and support businesses to position us for future growth. We wish Charlie all the best in his new role.”