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Daniel Tibbets Named President and General Manager for El Rey Network

May 3, 2016  •  Post A Comment

Press release from El Rey Network, May 3, 2016:

Daniel Tibbets, who most recently served as Machinima’s chief content officer, has been named President and General Manager for El Rey Network.  The announcement was made today by Robert Rodriguez, Chairman and Founder, to whom he will report.

In his new role, Tibbets, who will be based in Los Angeles, will oversee day to day operations for the genre-busting English language channel targeting the most diverse audience in the history of media. Tibbets will work closely with Rodriguez and El Rey Network’s executive team to spearhead the overall growth of the El Rey brand with a focus on digital expansion, content strategy and development, program planning and scheduling, production, acquisitions, talent relations, ad sales, business affairs and business development.

Rodriguez said: “Daniel is an innovator. He isn’t bound by convention and most importantly, he has a deep passion for what we are doing at El Rey Network. At his core, Daniel is a creative and I look forward to partnering with him and the rest of our extraordinary team to continue El Rey’s momentum and demonstrate the power and impact of our cutting-edge brand.”

Tibbets added: “El Rey Network’s unique brand proposition is palpable. There’s an authenticity and energy to the content that sets it apart – the genius of El Rey is Robert’s distinctive point of view.  Viewers understand what El Rey stands for and advertisers want to engage with our audience and that makes this a truly exciting opportunity. I look forward to working with Robert and his talented team at this transformative time in media as El Rey is perfectly positioned to take advantage of consumers’ desire to engage with their favorite content in any form and platform they choose.”

FactoryMade Principals and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa said: “This is an exciting and pivotal moment for El Rey, and Daniel’s dynamic leadership style and commitment to further developing multi-platform content opportunities is key to the continued success of our brand.  We are thrilled to have him join the El Rey family to create breakthrough entertainment that deeply engages our audience – one that reflects the diverse faces of America.”

Tonia O’Connor, El Rey Board Member and chief commercial officer and president of Content Distribution, for Univision Communications Inc. said: “El Rey is at the intersection of innovation with content and representing the changing face of America.  With Daniel at the helm partnering with a powerhouse visionary like Robert, we are very excited for El Rey’s continued evolution and its role as a premier network in Univision’s multicultural portfolio.”

While at Machinima, Tibbets was responsible for the programming organization, including content strategy and development, program planning and scheduling, production, acquisitions, and business affairs. Prior to Machinima, he was Senior Vice President Digital Media for Bunim/Murray Productions and led Bunim/Murray’s digital department including developing short-form programming for the web, mobile devices and other online and connected device distribution platforms. He was responsible for creative development, identifying new opportunities, online show extensions, web series and partnerships with brands for Bunim/Murray’s digital efforts.

Previously, Tibbets served as GoTV Networks’ Studio Chief where he oversaw all programming, development, production, and licensing of video content for mobile and broadband, as well as new distribution models. Tibbets led GoTV Studios to become the largest producer and distributor of original video content accessible to mobile users in streaming and on-demand formats on all U.S. based wireless carriers (Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, Cricket, etc.), mobile operating systems (iOS, Android, Brew, Java, etc.) as well as for online and Internationally.

Before joining GoTV, Tibbets held high-ranking positions at Twentieth Television, where he oversaw FOXLAB, Inc. and Fireworks Television, where he developed live-action dramas for syndication with Tribune Entertainment and children’s series for Nickelodeon and NBC/Discovery Kids. Tibbets was also responsible for the U.S. sale of the eight-hour miniseries Robocop: Prime Directives to the Sci-Fi Channel as well as the two-hour MOW Stolen Miracle to Lifetime.  During his tenure at Papazian-Hirsch/Rysher Entertainment, Tibbets was credited with the development and sale of the HBO series “ROME” and other movies for television.

Earlier in his career Tibbets served as a writer and producer on a number of notable television programs and specials including the Emmy-Award winning Streetwise, World Champions of Golf and BuzzTV, and the BBC/PBS mini-series Signs and Wonders starring James Earl Jones.

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