Former MTV Networks CEO Mark Rosenthal has been tapped as CEO of Current Media.
Rosenthal, who sits on Current's board of directors, is charged with the ongoing domestic and international expansion efforts of the Al Gore and Joel Hyatt-created company, which operates a cable TV and Web-based company that features user-generated news content. Hyatt was recently named vice chairman.
The Current TV cable network is in front of 60 million cable and satellite television households and the Web site Current.com averages over 7 million unique visitors each month.
Rosenthal comes to Current from Spot Runner, where he recently held the position of vice chairman and president of media platforms.
"Mark Rosenthal has been a vital and valued member of the Current board since its inception," said Al Gore, chairman and co-founder of Current Media in a statement. "Joel and I are thrilled to have him join our senior team to accelerate Current's growth and success. His experience building some of the world's most successful cable television networks, advertising and new media companies is the perfect addition to our team as we open new opportunities for Current's domestic and international expansion."
Rosenthal, who will assume his new duties July 27, served as president and CEO of MTV Networks for nearly a decade beginning in the mid 1990s and was instrumental in expanding the company's media portfolio and audience reach. More recently, Rosenthal was chairman and CEO of Interpublic Media, one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies.
"I am grateful that Al Gore and Joel Hyatt have offered me this opportunity," said Rosenthal in a statement. "Under Al and Joel, Current has provided real thought leadership to the media industry ... and the business has been built on a solid financial foundation from which I am confident we can grow substantially."
