Top AT&T Digital Exec Tony Goncalves Named CEO Of Otter Media

Four-year-old Otter Media, a joint digital media venture between AT&T and The Chernin Group, has a new chief executive.

Tony Goncalves, who most recently served as AT&T’s CEO of digital brands, was today appointed CEO of Otter Media. Goncalves will be tapped with overseeing Otter’s illustrious portfolio of OTT services and digital content brands, including Ellation, Fullscreen, Rooster Teeth, Crunchyroll, VRV, Gunpowder & Sky, and Hello Sunshine. All told, Otter Media says it has 90 million unique monthly viewers, and clocked a total of 100 billion views last year.

“Tony has been our partner on Otter Media for almost four years, and, during that time, it was evident that he is a thoughtful, strategic executive who is hugely passionate about furthering the growth of one of the premiere digital media companies,” said Otter Media chairman Peter Chernin, who is also CEO of The Chernin Group. “Over the last six months, we started discussing having Tony join Otter full-time, and we are delighted that he has agreed to assume the role of CEO.”

In his previous role at AT&T, Goncalves not only oversaw Otter Media’s relationship with The Chernin Group, but also led strategy for the company’s entry into OTT via DirecTV Now. Goncalves first joined DirecTV in 2007. His appointment arrives amid reports that AT&T is seeking to buy The Chernin Group’s stake in Otter Media, which may be hanging in the balance due to AT&T’s delayed purchase of Time Warner. Last month, Otter Media became a full owner of two of its best-known properties: Fullscreen and Ellation.

Goncalves replaces Otter’s former chief, Sarah Harden, who joined Reese Witherspoon’s female-focused media brand, Hello Sunshine, as CEO in January.