In a move the company says will build on its “rich history of innovation,” Sinclair Broadcast Group has created its first dedicated cross functional research and development group. This, Sinclair says, will help coordinate and accelerate efforts across content, technology, audience development and distribution.
Furthermore, this new group will incorporate a corporate strategy function “to further innovation and growth” across Sinclair.
Who’s running the group?
Scott Ehrlich has been named to the newly created position of Chief Innovation Officer.
Ehrlich, who will lead the group, joined Sinclair in 2017 and is being promoted from SVP of Growth Networks and Content. He will retain oversight of the company’s “diginets,” comprised of COMET, CHARGE! and TBD; and digital and OTT streaming platforms NewsON and STIRR.
Ehrlich is a pioneer in streaming media, and his experience in the space dates to 1996. He brought to market one of the first subscription streaming video services in the industry, RealNetworks’ SuperPass, and while at Real negotiated some of the first internet rights deals with several professional sports leagues.
Sinclair President/CEO Chris Ripley calls Ehrlich “a creative and fearless leader with a long history of successful innovation and the skills to develop a startup into a thriving company. We are excited for him to expand his role, infusing the pace and imagination of the startup world as we continue to grow Sinclair and evolve our offerings.”
Ehrlich is the Founder and CEO of Agility Studios, and is the founder of Impulse Media, where he was a strategic advisor to startups and established companies focused on digital video products, distribution and business models.
Earlier in his career, Ehrlich was the Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of News America Digital Publishing at News Corporation and Director of Audience Development at NBC Cable.
