Wireless and Media Expert Brings Track Record of Innovation to Pearl Partnership
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 4, 2014 – Anne Schelle, a 20-year veteran of the wireless and media industries, today was named Managing Director of Pearl, a partnership of broadcast companies formed in 2010 with a shared interest in exploring next-generation digital media platforms and other ways of promoting local TV content for the broadcast industry. Pearl member companies reach two-thirds of the U.S. population with their stations and collectively book nearly $4 billion in annual advertising revenue.
Previously a Senior Adviser to the National Association of Broadcasters and Executive Director of the Open Mobile Video Coalition, Schelle led the outreach effort by broadcasters to introduce the Mobile TV services now available from more than 130 local stations throughout the country.
“Anne brings a wealth of media and wireless industry experience to the table. With many years of experience in operations, business development, marketing communications, and legislative/regulatory work, we believe Anne is the ideal candidate to serve as Pearl’s Managing Director,” said Pat LaPlatney, Senior VP at Raycom Media, one of Pearl’s member companies. Pearl is a venture of eight leading TV station groups with more than 170 network-affiliated TV stations that was formed four years ago to explore and pursue new opportunities in digital media. Pearl members include Cox Media Group, the E.W. Scripps Company, Gannett Co. Inc., Hearst Television Inc., Media General Inc., Meredith Local Media Group, Post-Newsweek Stations Inc. and Raycom Media.
“I am excited about the opportunity to work on the innovate initiatives being explored by Pearl. The assets of Pearl members reach millions of people and provide a vital link to communities. Those opportunities will only grow as digital media distribution technology evolves and expands with local broadcasters and content providers, ” Schelle said.
Schelle has been part of the founding management teams of several companies, including American Personal Communications/Sprint Spectrum, the nation’s first commercial PCS venture, and xDSL networks, a start-up high speed data access ISP. Earlier in her career, she served as director of the PCS division of PCIA, a wireless trade association which played a leading role in the development of digital cellular telephony.
She is vice chairman of the Mobile Marketing Association’s North American board and vice chairman of the MMA’s video committee. She also served as manager of business development at LCC Inc., a cellular engineering consulting firm, and was a financial analyst for McCaw Cellular Communications, MCI/Airsignal. She is also a past Venture Partner and CEO of Acta Wireless.
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About Pearl:
Pearl Mobile DTV Company LLC, founded in 2010, is a partnership of broadcast companies with a shared interest in exploring forward-looking opportunities, including innovative ways of promoting local TV content and developing digital media and wireless platforms for the broadcast industry. Pearl member companies reach two-thirds of the U.S. population with their stations and collectively book nearly $4 billion in annual advertising revenue. Pearl’s membership, comprising 170 network-affiliated TV stations, consists of Cox Media Group, the E.W. Scripps Company, Gannett Co. Inc., HearstTelevision Inc., Media General Inc., Meredith Local Media Group, Post-Newsweek Stations Inc. and Raycom Media. Learn more: www.PearlTV.com
Contact:
Dave Arland, Arland Communications
Dave@ArlandCom.com
Phone: (317) 701-0084