The co-founder of MTV Networks, American businessman John Sykes, has stepped down from the board of Shazam, MBW has learned.
The exec joined Shazam’s board in February 2011, at which point the company’s CEO Andrew Fisher called him “a key influencer in changing the way millions of people consume media around the world“.
Added Fisher: “John’s expertise in building global consumer brands founded on media and entertainment is invaluable and fits perfectly with our mission to establish Shazam as the world’s leading brand for mobile discovery as Shazam transitions beyond music to enable consumers to interact with television programming content and advertising.”
It is understood that Sykes’s position on Shazam’s board was terminated at the end of June.
Today’s news comes five months after MBW revealed that another established member of Shazam’s board, LastMinute.com co-founder Brent Hoberman, stood down after three years.
“John’s expertise in building global consumer brands founded on media and entertainment is invaluable.”
Andrew Fisher, Shazam – speaking in 2011
John Sykes (pictured) helped co-found MTV 35 years ago. He later served as President of VH1, which he rebranded and led to record audience ratings and profits from 1994-2002.
After a period as Chairman and CEO of Infinity Broadcasting overseeing 185 radio stations reaching more than 70 million listeners a week, he returned to MTV Networks in 2005 as President Network Development.
In 2008 Sykes (pictured) left Viacom to join former MTV colleagues Bob Pittman and Tom Freston at the Pilot Group.
According to annual fiscal results published last year, Shazam’s active users were on the cusp of 120m at the end of 2014.
However, in the three years from 2012-2014, it posted cumulative net losses of more than £25m ($38.5m).Music Business Worldwide
