Former MTV Exec Is Fullscreen’s New VP Of Sales

YouTube Multi-Channel Network Fullscreen recently made a splash by outpacing all independent networks in terms of unique YouTube viewers for the month of December. Off the heels of that announcement, Fullscreen is continuing to gather momentum. The network that serves Lindsey Stirling, Michael Buckley, 5secondfilms, and many other creators has announced the hiring of former Viacom exec Justin Danko as its new VP of Sales and Brand Strategy.

Danko will serve as the East Coast VP of Sales, while former Ustream exec Jonah Minton will serve as the SVP of Sales and hold down the fort at Fullscreen’s Culver City HQ. “We are thrilled to welcome Justin to our team,” said CEO and Founder George Strompolos. “He is tremendously talented and passionate about innovating brand solutions for the future of video. We look forward to taking Fullscreen’s overall brand strategy to the next level by leveraging Justin’s deep experience in branded entertainment.”

While at Viacom, Danko worked specifically for MTV, where he served as the Vice President of Branded Entertainment and took a leadership role in the network’s music and entertainment programming. As many of Fullscreen’s creators (including Stirling, Megan Nicole, and Tyler Ward) are musicians, Danko’s previous experience makes him a natural fit.

Danko’s hiring is the latest in a trend of new media companies hiring executives away from traditional entertainment. Maker Studios’ recently tapped former MTVer Amy Finnerty as its SVP of Talent and Bruce Seidel left his position as SVP of Program Planning and Special Productions for the Food Network and Cooking Channel to helm Electus’ food-centric YouTube network Hungry.

Fullscreen has risen rapidly to become a top MCN player right alongside Maker and Machinima. With its impressive roster of new execs, it may be primed to remain in that position for the long term.