Liberty Media Corp. has promoted Robert B. Clasen to president and CEO of Starz Entertainment Group LLC (formerly Starz Encore Group LLC).
Clasen had been president and chief operating officer. He succeeds interim CEO Mark Bauman, who is retiring.
"Bob Clasen has proven to be an extraordinarily effective leader for SEG," Liberty CEO Robert R. Bennett said in a prepared statement.
"In little more than one year since he has come on board, the company has signed new affiliation agreements with seven of the company's largest distributors; executed a series of innovative and effective marketing campaigns with both satellite and cable affiliates; rolled out subscription video-on-demand to millions of new customers; launched the first premium subscription Internet service; brought in new leadership for key executive positions; and laid the groundwork for a new branding effort that will kick off early next year,” Bennett added.
Bennett also noted that Clasen’s promotion marked the end of a 14-year period in which Starz was started and run by founder and former chairman and CEO John J. Sie and Bauman.
