Jukin Media Adds Two New Execs Including New President Lee Essner

The two-year old Jukin Video platform is going through a period of rapid growth, and the team behind it has responded by adding two new executives. Jukin Media has tapped Lee Essner as its new President and COO and has also named ex-AwesomenessTV exec Jeff Levin as its new Director of Talent.

Essner previous served as a Jukin Media advisor, and his new position extends his previous role to a full-time gig. “Lee has been a tremendous asset as an advisor,” said Jukin Media Founder and CEO Jonathan Skogmo. “Taking on this expanded role is a natural way to further leverage his background and experience in helping to build and grow digital and tech companies.”

Essner has over 20 years of executive experience, and himself founded AccessDNA, a health and medical blog. He previously served as the COO at WeddingChannel.com

As for Levin, the former AwesomenessTV exec will work closely with the Jukin Media multi-channel network, which was launched last November. As Director of Talent, he will be responsible for adding new YouTube and Vine stars to the networks, whose current partners include BatDad and Logan Paul.

With both of these moves, Jukin Media is expressing major optimism for 2014. The company claims that it scored 300 million views in January 2014, and it is expecting to grow at least 25% bigger in the coming year.

Aside from hiring new execs, Jukin Media has also moved to a new office, joining other MCNs in Culver City. There’s no doubt the company is bullish about its future.