Today, former AOL Product and Programming Executive, Mike Rich, will join Interactive One as its Chief Product and Operating Officer. Interactive One, the largest online media company serving black Americans, is the digital division of Radio One Inc., the largest African American multimedia company. Rich will drive the direction and strategy for Interactive One’s network of sites and brands. Rich will also help “lead a differentiated multi-platform digital offering across radio, video and mobile in partnership with Interactive One’s parent company, Radio One.”
“We are excited to have Mike join the team and leverage his background to enhance our users’ experience and to build upon our strong growth and success,” said Thomas Newman, President of Interactive One. “We have a very large and highly engaged member base and we look forward to seeing Mike apply his proven talents to build upon our existing products and to create new offerings online and across mobile, video and other platforms.”
Rich is the man behind AOL BlackVoices, Moviefone, AOL Radio, AOL Latino, and AOL Studios which produced original high quality video content for AOL’s suite of sites. At AOL he was in charge of interactive product strategy, management, marketing, editorial, audience development and syndication for AOL’s flagship properties including AOL Music. Because of his leadership, AOL Music grew to be the #1 music destination from 2007-2009. Rich was honored by Hollywood Reporter as part of their 2009 Digital Power 50 list of executives leading the digital media industry.
“I am thrilled to join the Interactive One team and to further expand the opportunities for the current and future audience, so that they can enrich their lives with a compelling product and content experience,” said Mike Rich. “Radio One and Interactive One have built a truly cross-platform media company that is well-positioned to take advantage of the growth of digital on all platforms including mobile and next generation IP connected products.”
This could be a very important development in black media. Interactive One, launched by Radio One in 2008, has over 15 million members and reaches 7 million Black Americans each month with approximately 4 billion annual page views on its suite of sites. With Rich as Chief Product and Operating Officer, we will hopefully see some positive changes and growth for Interactive One.