Multimedia Platforms, Inc. (OTCQB: MMPW), the only publicly traded LGBTQ media company, today announced the appointment of Robert Weiss as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Weiss will also join the Board of Directors of Multimedia Platforms.
As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Weiss will oversee all day-to-day management of the Company's valuable portfolio of LGBTQ media brands including Frontiers Media, Next Media, and the Agenda. The Company's media brands represent approximately 7.5 million readers and more than 4 million unique online visitors annually. Mr. Weiss will also serve as Chairman and CEO of WiRLD Media, Inc., the Company's global digital media hub and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Multimedia Platforms.
An entrepreneurial leader, Mr. Weiss has a career-long track record of successfully building companies at the intersection of media and technology. Mr. Weiss has led companies to pursue new technologies, emerging media platforms and innovative ways to monetize content. Named by Variety as one of the top people to watch in the media business, he has transitioned between the business and creative sides of the entertainment industry; between start-up operations and large companies; and between traditional media and digital media.
"I am thrilled to join Multimedia Platforms, the only publicly-traded LGBTQ media company. I am looking forward to tapping into the millions of LGBTQ consumers who crave news and empowering entertainment across all media platforms. There are so many new opportunities to connect these LGBTQ consumers to advertisers and businesses who are hungry to reach this lucrative and digitally-savvy audience," Robert Weiss stated. "I am grateful to Bobby for leading MMPW to this pivotal point, and I look forward to working with all the incredibly talented people at Multimedia Platforms to fully leverage its portfolio of media brands and to continue to build the world's biggest LGBTQ media company."
Prior to joining Multimedia Platforms, Mr. Weiss was CEO of The Arpanet Group, a next-generation digital/social media advisory company that provides revenue strategies, growth roadmaps and thought leadership for both early-stage companies and mature companies that want to disrupt the global media landscape. Mr. Weiss also served as Chief Operating Officer of EQAL, one of Hollywood's top digital entertainment companies, where he oversaw a portfolio of more than 150 digital and social media properties. In less than 2 years, Weiss exponentially grew EQAL's business and then helped orchestrate its successful sale.
Mr. Weiss has also served as a senior executive for VH1, FX and the music network FUSE. While leading FUSE -- ratings doubled, web traffic quadrupled, ad sales doubled, and the cable network became the #1-ranked channel in audience concentration of 12-34 year olds. Earlier in his career, Mr. Weiss founded his own multiplatform production company that produced more than 2,000 hours of programming. An award-winning journalist, Mr. Weiss is a former reporter for the Los Angeles Times and producer for the "TODAY" show.
Additionally, the Company has appointed Multimedia Platforms Founder Bobby Blair as Chairman of the Board. Larry Rutstein will retire as Chairman of the Board, but will remain on the Board of Directors until August 31, 2016 to assist in the transition of new management.
Bobby Blair, MMPW's outgoing CEO and new Chairman of the Board, commented, "As Founder of the Company and on behalf of the Board and the entire management team at Multimedia Platforms, we are excited to welcome Robert to the Company. We believe he has the ideal mix of business strategy, management experience, and advertising and technology expertise needed to advance our leading LGBT digital media company forward. Supported by a dedicated and focused team as well as leading brands in the LGBT community including Next, Frontiers, Agenda and WiRLD, Robert will play a vital role in scaling our organization and ultimately delivering value to our shareholders. Lastly, I want to thank Larry for the time he spent as Chairman of the Company and also remaining part of the team until August 31st during this transition."
Mr. Larry Rutstein, stated, "It has been an honor and pleasure serving as MMPW's Chairman. I am excited to see Bobby Blair step up to Chairman and to have Robert Weiss take over as CEO. The Company now has a senior management team that can fulfill the Company's objectives of becoming the leading print and digital source for the LGBT community."
About Multimedia Platforms:
Multimedia Platforms Inc. ("MMPW") is an industry-leading multimedia, technology and publishing company that delivers content and advertising to one of the most sought-after demographics in the world -- the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) population. MMPW's top brands include WiRLD.com, Frontiers magazine, Florida Agenda, FunMaps re-branded as WiRLD City Guides, Guy magazine re-branded as Next Florida and Next magazine, representing approximately 7.5 million readers and more than 4 million unique online visitors annually. For more information please visit www.multimediaplatformsinc.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mmpworldwideinc.
