This coming from the corporate offices of Big Lead Sports. For disclosure purposes, Fang’s Bites is an independently-owned blog that is part of Big Lead Sports’ network. So we have this press release about a new CEO/CFO for the company.
“BIG LEAD SPORTS” NAMES BRIAN LaROCK CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER/CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Veteran Financial Leader In The Digital Space Joins #1 Independent Online Sports Property in U.S .
NEW YORK, May 24, 2011 – Big Lead Sports (BLS), the number #1 independent online sports property in the U.S., today announced that Brian LaRock has been named to the newly-created position of Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer. LaRock has more than 25 years of experience in financial management and strategy, most recently as CFO of 5min Media (which was sold to AOL) and UGO Entertainment (which was sold to Hearst).
“Brian LaRock is one of the most accomplished executives in the digital space, and we are very pleased that he is joining us during an exciting period of growth for our company,” said Chris Russo CEO of Big Lead Sports. “In addition to bringing a unique financial and operating background, Brian has an exemplary track record of success, having managed two companies to successful exits over the past four years.”
“I am very excited to join Chris and his team at Big Lead Sports,” LaRock said. “I have had the pleasure of working at a number of emerging digital businesses, and I think that we have a successful model here at Big Lead Sport — great independent content packaged in a way that makes sense to brands seeking to engage avid fans. This is a unique opportunity to grow the business, based on the quality of our original content and size of our audience.”
LaRock most recently was CFO of 5minMedia, the leading syndication platform for broadband instructional, knowledge and lifestyle videos on the web. LaRock helped revamp and restructure the company’s financial portfolio, and oversaw all business aspects of its sale to AOL in 2010. Prior to 5minMedia, LaRock was CFO of UGO Entertainment, helping lead record growth for one of the industry’s leading digital media publishers, as well as overseeing its financial transition when the property was purchased by the Hearst Corporation. He has also held senior financial governance and leadership positions with Experience.com, MAPICS, and other emerging companies throughout his career. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.
LaRock joins Big Lead Sports at a time of rapid growth for the company. In April, BLS reached #5 in the U.S sports category more than 16 million unique users, and ranked #1 in the U.S. sports category in unique users among properties not controlled by major media companies or sports leagues.
That’s it.
