FARRELL MEISEL
FMI Media Group / President 3/2008 – Present
Developing a new daily news and information service for broadcast and new media clients in the Middle East for a leading media company, from the creation of the business, broadcast and technical operations plans.
On-site reorganization in Bucharest, Romania of a privately-owned commercial channel, Kanal D (owned by Dogan Media Holding of Turkey), developing strategic, structural and broadcast operations plans; re-designing programming, news, production, creating ad sales/marketing tools.
TGRT News Channel and IHA News Agency – Istanbul, Turkey for Ihlas Media Holding. Re-launch and restructure the management and broadcast operations of the TGRT News Channel including all core operations; extensive use of new media, editing, packaging and distribution of content. Re-engineer leading regional video news service covering Middle East, Eastern Europe and Western Europe including new media distribution.
Strategic consultation for international program distributor to expand their reach in the international marketplace.
News Corporation Company 3/2007 – 3/2008
Puls Television – Warsaw, Poland
President / General Manager
1 year project – successfully built-out a new national, commercial station, creating new state-of-the-art HD-ready broadcast facilities in 3-months, supervising the staffing of key management and staff in all departments with over 200 personnel, to hand-off to a local management team. Directly managed all department heads.
Revenue increases of 40% were achieved in 3-month’s time, following the October 28, 2007 launch, with an increase of 75% in the key demos from its predecessor channel in all-day audience share.
Re-branded the channel from an old-skewing, Catholic religious station, targeting the young, affluent 16-49 demographic.
Designed the news and programming model, based on a research study focusing on an independent, impartial news product with two prime time half hours, and the development of 2-hour breakfast newscast with over 120 staffers in news.
Original programming content based on international formats, (Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader, The Package, The Newlywed Game, Sing-a-Song, Worst Driver), which saw the doubling of all-day and prime time ratings/shares, with a 40 percent increase in revenue, represented by key advertising categories and products.
Alhurra Television (Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc.) 2003 – 2006
Washington, D.C.
Senior Managing Consultant /General Manager
I was selected by the Broadcasting Board of Governors, a non-partisan U.S. Federal agency, appointed by the President of the United States to develop, plan and guide 3 satellite-delivered news and information-based channels, named Alhurra (“The Free One”) broadcast in 22 countries.
I supervised and directed the construction and build-out, the hiring of management and staff for all operating departments including news, production, programming, finance, human resources,branding/marketing, web site development and technical operations in the Washington, DC area and in the Middle East.
The first of the original two all-digital, tape-less 24/7 channels was launched on February 14, 2004, quickly reaching over 20 million viewers according to AC Nielsen. The second channel, Alhurra Iraq, premiered on April 27, 2004 via terrestrial and satellite network to Iraq. Both channels are beamed from Washington, D.C., with daily and weekly news and current affairs programs being produced in Washington and in the Middle East. Based on the success of the original two channels, additional funding was given to launch Alhurra Europe on August 1, 2006.
Media Corporation of Singapore 2001 – 2003
Group Chief Operating Officer
Successfully directed the management of the TV network’s ad sales (6 channels), programming, news, marketing and branding strategies to counter the May 2001 launch of Singapore’s first commercial television competitor as deregulation was introduced in the market. After over 2 years of competition, the strategy resulted in the retention of more than 78% share of the TV advertising market, and a 78% share of the audience. In its second year with MediaCorp, the company announced an after tax net-profit of S$134.4 million/US$78.5 million, all during the challenges of the SARS virus, regional terrorism and economic recession.
Worked alongside the Group CEO, to streamline and re-engineer all seven strategic business units of Singapore’s largest broadcast media company from a state-owned model, resulting in significant operational and financial benefits. The group is divided into television channel management, public broadcasting, radio, TV/film production, news/current affairs, print and multimedia businesses.
Directed the successful restructuring of the TV sales/marketing units, with significant revenue gains.
Spearheaded the first long-form drama (125 episodes) successfully integrating an advertiser-funded programming model with four sponsors. The prime-time series averaged an 18% rating – a 30% increase over the previous 20 episode daily drama, which built to over a 24% rating.
Developed the group’s cross-platform marketing and advertising sales synergies creating new revenue streams and enhancing ratings and circulation for electronic and print media.
Identified and effectuated MediaCorp Studios production unit efficiencies, creating new production and revenue opportunities, in Singapore and throughout the region.
Created and directed the convergence of SMS, interactive and web applications, given the enormous usage plus revenue opportunities for all in-house productions including fiction, non-fiction, acquired formats (Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, The Hollywood Squares and The Weakest Link in 2 languages; Wheel of Fortune in English; Fremantle’s American Idol and the formatted version of Singapore Idol); blockbuster movies, plus national news content.
Developed the business strategies for the top-rated television channels, directing the optimal positioning for each of MediaCorp’s channels in audience and advertising share.
Reorganized the structure of 12 radio and 5 TV stations’ news assignment desks in a single operation, coordinating assignments, developing efficiencies in covering and producing the news.
Re-positioned the daily Chinese- and English-language television newscasts, broadening content and presentation, resulting in audience increases, with new ad sales gains.
FMI Media Group, New York, New York 1997 – 2000
President
An international broadcast and new media consultancy, with hands-on experience in the UK, Europe, Russia and the Middle East, specializing in all areas of general management, strategic planning, news, programming, channel positioning, branding, marketing, ad sales, and research.
Senior Managing Corporate Adviser for Ihlas Holding and TGRT TV Turkey, guiding the successful Autumn 1998 re-launch, reengineering and efficiency project for its national television network, plus the reorganization of the IHA news agency, the country and region’s largest. TGRT TV became the third largest national broadcaster in less than one year, and its revenue rose by 150%. This included the rebranding of a Islamic-rooted channel into a contemporary, young and affluent broadcaster targeting the all important 18-49 demographic.
Developed the long-term programming strategy for StoryFirst Communications’ CTC Television Network in Russia; SBS Broadcasting, a London-based broadcaster of national television channels in Europe; TV Strategy Group, London, for new business opportunities and start-ups in Eastern Europe.
From Autumn 1996 through Spring 1997, as the Managing Director of The Movie Channel – Middle East, I guided the early development, planning and management in programming, finance, creative services, and operations for the London-based pan-regional pay TV service.
TIME WARNER INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING/
HBO INTERNATIONAL, London, England 1994 – 1996
Senior Vice President and Managing Director
Identified and developed new broadcast and cable TV businesses in key European markets including the launch of 1A Berlin in Germany; Channel 5 in England; cable and broadcast opportunities in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Managed Time Warner’s European media investments and member of the Board of Directors: Classic FM, England’s first national commercial radio network and Com2i, Paris, an investment fund.
TURNER INTERNATIONAL, Moscow, Russia 1992 – 1993
Director of Operations, TV6 Moscow and Eastern Europe
Guided and developed the launch and management of Russia’s first private, commercial television station, TV6 Moscow, launched January 1, 1993. The channel, a joint-venture with Turner International and Moscow Independent Broadcasting Corporation, programmed a mix of CNN in Russian, plus American and Russian feature films, series and animation.
Within six months, the station, achieved more than a 10% audience share, and in a year’s time, overachieved its advertising target, garnering more than $1 million in new revenue. Developed and trained a Russian staff in all operating departments.
Served on the New Business Development team in Russia and Eastern Europe, seeking new business initiatives for terrestrial and satellite broadcast licenses.
WWOR-TV, New York, New York 1986 – 1991
Vice President, Programming
Directed the re-launch and developed long-term strategies for all programming, operations, promotion/marketing following the ownership change from RKO to MCA, Inc.
Established and managed an aggressive program strategy incorporating planning, acquisitions and development of local, original first-run and syndicated content, for daytime and prime-time time slots.
Developed an aggressive local slate of programming, from a successful daytime 3-hour live talk show, which was subsequently launched as a national syndicated series; to prime time information, lifestyle magazines and evening talk shows; weekday morning and Sunday children’s programs.
Effectuated and positioned risk-taking acquisitions strategy of Cosby, Arsenio Hall, Who’s the Boss and Married…with Children, the creation of a strong children’s franchise, and the re-positioning of action hours, developing a strong movie showcase format utilizing lower cost product to maximize ratings and revenue.
Previous experience included:
At SELTEL, Inc, New York, (a national television station advertising representative), from 1984 – 1986, I served as Vice President, Director of Programming, managing a seven-person department of programming, research consultants and analysts. We provided program, research and marketing counsel for over 100 network and independent television stations in the U.S.
Evaluated, planned and scheduled programming models for clients including new “sign-on” stations, providing revenue-producing program initiatives, which maximized ratings & revenues.
From 1979 – 1984, for TAFT BROADCASTING COMPANY, I held the position of Program Manager at three of the company’s owned-and-operated stations in Buffalo, N.Y., Washington, D.C. and Miami, Florida.
I guided the transition of ownership of all programming functions, promotion/marketing/creative services and operations at WCIX-TV, Miami, an Independent station, from 1983-1984.
At WDCA-TV, Washington, DC, also an Independent station, built station’s audience profile (from 1981-1983), with significant revenue gains, planning and buying content, scheduling series, movies and specials. I managed the programming, operations and promotion departments. Repositioned prime time professional sports rights (MLB, NBA, NHL), enhancing revenue and refining programming grid.
I served as Project Executive Producer for the first major Job Fair, a two-hour, live information program, which received over 1,000 solid job offers, and became a model for televised job-a-thons in America. National and global media coverage, including live on-the-air appearance by the Honorable Ronald Reagan, President of the United States. Personally received an award at a White House ceremony from President Reagan for my efforts.
At WGR-TV, Buffalo, NY, an NBC affiliate, from 1979-1981, I spearheaded new programming initiatives with the revitalization of an early-fringe 2-hour movie block (#1 in time period). We revived prime access with the development of a local PM Magazine, plus prime-time local specials with the NHL Buffalo Sabres), contributing to higher revenue and ratings. I managed all areas of operations, programming and creative services (promotion/marketing). Developed cross-media promotion campaigns with co-owned AM and FM radio stations –creating additional value for the company’s media properties. Executive Producer of NHL Buffalo Sabres broadcasts of 30 games per season, in addition to the scheduling and negotiation of local rights.
Education
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge; University of New Orleans
Political Science/Mass Communications 1973 – 1976
(This included two semesters in Munich, West Germany)