Outdoor Sportsman Group said Jim Liberatore has been named president and CEO after previously holding those titles at the group's TV networks, namely Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network. He gains oversight of the group's 15 magazine titles, 19 outdoor-industry websites and the recently launched subscription video-on-demand service MyOutdoorTV. He continues to report to Matt Hutchings, CEO of parent KSE Media Ventures. Jeff Paro, who had been chief of the group's integrated media unit, resigned to pursue other career opportunities after 10 years in that role, the company said earlier today. Paro joined KSE after it acquired InterMedia Outdoors in November 2014.
Liberatore became CEO of Outdoor Channel in mid 2013 after seven years at the helm of SportsTime Ohio, which Fox Sports bought in a deal announced in late 2012. Earlier in his career Liberatore was head of Speed Channel and, before that, was an executive at regional sports networks owned by Fox and by Madison Square Garden.
“Jim is an industry veteran who has been guiding the growth and transition of our networks – Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network,” Hutchings said in a release. “Jim’s added responsibilities are testimony to the tremendous work he has done and the team he has put together to enact and excel in all areas of our media businesses. Jim is now tasked with creating and executing a global, multi-media vision to cater to outdoor enthusiasts worldwide.”
