Bell Media taps disney Streaming Luminary Jerrell Jimerson to Spearhead Product Innovation
Toronto – In a significant move to bolster its digital transformation, Bell Media announced today the appointment of Jerrell Jimerson as its First Vice-President and Chief of Products and Experience, effective August 18. Jimerson, a seasoned executive with over three decades of experience, most recently from senior management at Disney, is set to define the vision and strategy for Bell Media’s extensive product portfolio.
This strategic hire underscores Bell Media’s commitment to enhancing consumer experiences across its diverse range of platforms.Jimerson will oversee product development and strategy for key Bell Media properties,including entertainment,sports,and direct-to-consumer offerings.
Global Streaming Expertise Joins Canadian Media Giant
Jimerson’s impressive track record includes a pivotal role in the direct-to-consumer efforts at Disney. There, he was instrumental in the groundbreaking launch of Disney+ and subsequently managed the growth, engagement, design, and marketing for a suite of popular streaming services such as Hulu, ESPN+, Star, and Star+.
His background also includes significant contributions to the evolution of digital media.Prior to Disney,Jimerson served as First Vice-President of Products and Design at iHeartmedia,where he spearheaded the transformation of Clear Channel into the widely recognized iHeartRadio.
A Visionary Leader for Bell Media’s Digital Future
Sean Cohan, President of Bell Media, expressed enthusiasm for the appointment, highlighting Jimerson’s recognized expertise in global streaming product launches. “Jerrell is an innovative leader,” Cohan stated, “He will be a great asset in pursuing our transformation to become a leader in content and digital media. I can’t wait to collaborate with him to develop crave and accelerate the growth of our range of digital products.”
Jimerson shared his excitement about joining Bell Media, noting the strength of its brand portfolio. “Bell Media has some of the country’s most emblematic brands, and I am very enthusiastic about contributing to writng its next chapter,” Jimerson remarked. “I can’t wait to work with the team to create innovative consumer experiences and accelerate Bell’s transformation into a global caliber digital media company.”
Impact Across Bell Media’s Diverse Offerings
Jimerson’s responsibilities will span across all Bell Media platforms. This includes the acclaimed streaming service Crave, the comprehensive sports network TSN and its streaming extension TSN+, news services like CTV News, and French-language broadcaster Noovo, alongside RDS and the audio platform iHeartRadio.
| Platform/Service | Primary Focus |
|---|---|
| Crave | Product Development & Growth |
| TSN / TSN+ | Sports Experience Enhancement |
| CTV News | Digital News Strategy |
| Noovo / RDS | French-Language Content Delivery |
| iHeartRadio | Audio Product Innovation |
Beyond the Corporate Ladder: Community and Innovation
Jimerson’s influence extends beyond his executive roles. He is a founder and director of Mediatech Insights, a consulting firm that partners with Fortune 500 companies, global media leaders, and high-growth startups. His commitment to fostering innovation is also evident in his involvement with non-profit organizations and early-stage companies, where he provides valuable board expertise and supports fundraising initiatives.
Evergreen Insights: navigating the Evolving Media Landscape
The appointment of top-tier talent like Jerrell Jimerson to lead product and experience at major media organizations reflects a broader industry trend. Companies are increasingly prioritizing individuals with deep understanding of direct-to-consumer (DTC) models and a proven ability to innovate in the digital space.
Did You No? The global media and entertainment market is projected to continue its robust growth, driven by streaming services and digital content consumption. According to industry analysts at Statista, streaming revenues alone are expected to reach hundreds of billions globally in the coming years.
Pro Tip: For media companies, staying ahead means consistently investing in user experience (UX) and personalized content delivery. Understanding consumer behavior through data analytics is crucial for driving engagement and retention in a competitive market. This often involves leveraging AI and machine learning to tailor content recommendations and platform interfaces.
The challenge for legacy media companies is to effectively integrate new digital strategies with their established brand strengths. This requires a delicate balance of innovation and operational excellence. Companies that successfully adapt, like those Jimerson has led, often demonstrate agility in responding to market shifts and a clear vision for future growth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bell Media’s product Leadership
Q1: Who is Jerrell Jimerson and what is his new role at Bell Media?
Jerrell Jimerson, a seasoned executive with over three decades of experience, has been appointed First Vice-President and chief of Products and Experience at Bell Media. He will be responsible for steering the vision and strategy for all Bell Media products, including streaming services, news, and sports platforms.
Q2: What is Jerrell Jimerson’s previous experience in the streaming industry?
Jimerson previously held key product management roles at Disney, where he oversaw direct-to-consumer activities and played a significant role in the historic launch of Disney+. He also led growth, engagement, design, and marketing for platforms like Hulu, ESPN+, Star, and Star+.
Q3: Which Bell Media brands will Jerrell Jimerson oversee?
Jimerson’s purview will extend across bell Media’s diverse portfolio, encompassing entertainment, sports, and direct-to-consumer products.This includes popular platforms such as Crave, CTV News, TSN, TSN+, Noovo, RDS, and iHeartRadio.
Q4: What are Bell media’s strategic goals with this appointment?
The appointment of Jimerson is a strategic move aimed at accelerating Bell Media’s transformation into a leading content and digital media company. His expertise is expected to drive innovation in consumer experiences and bolster the growth of its digital product offerings.
Q5: What other notable roles has Jerrell Jimerson held?
Before his tenure at Disney, jimerson was instrumental in transforming Clear Channel into iHeartRadio as First Vice-President of Products and Design at iHeartmedia. He also held management positions at companies like PayPal, Yahoo, and Netscape.
Q6: How does Jimerson contribute to the broader innovation ecosystem?
Beyond his corporate roles, Jimerson is actively involved in innovation and social impact initiatives, lending his expertise to non-profit boards and early-stage companies, and supporting fundraising and community development efforts.
