Waywire Networks today announced that it had elected four industry leaders to its Advisory Board. Joining the Advisory board are Tim Hanlon, Richard Titus, Michelle Kraus and Mike Wheeler. A diverse group with backgrounds in technology, media, advertising, and digital video, they bring a wide breadth of understanding of the media industries roots and rapidly expanding future.
Tim Hanlon is widely regarded as one of America’s most influential thought leaders in the fields of emerging media, marketing and digital technology. Tim created and led corporate ventures practices at agency holding firms Publicis Groupe (VivaKi/Denuo) and Interpublic Group (Mediabrands/Velociter), overseeing nearly 70 early-stage investments and partnerships – with nearly three dozen successful exits (and counting) since 2006. “As traditional television and online video continue to both mature and overlap, the harmonization of viewing behavior and business models are becoming more exciting, and important,” said Hanlon. “Waywire’s Curated Channel infrastructure is poised to be a valuable bridge in modern video’s continued transition and ongoing evolution.” Today he is the Founder/CEO of The Vertere Group, focused on the intersection of media, marketing and technology.
Richard Titus has been innovating in media and entertainment through his entire career. A prolific internet entrepreneur and digerati Titus founded or co-founded seven companies, since his first job as a roadie and sound engineer for The Beach Boys. He founded Tag Media, which became the LA office of Razorfish. In 2007 he joined the BBC as Controller, User Experience and Design at the BBC, overseeing its audience facing services on the Internet, Mobile, ITV and iPlayer. In 2008 he became the Future Media Controller for Audio & Music and Mobile. Richard is an active angel investor and was named one of the Wired 100 and is a frequent public speaker and futurist. speaking on the impact of technology on the media and entertainment. In 2013 Richard co-founded Prompt.ly a mobile scheduling & payment services platform.
Michelle Kraus, PhD. is an experienced technology and social media executive. Working with both public and private investors, Michelle has managed in times of exponential growth, and times of challenge. She’s facilitated waves of innovation, and has made her mark from her offices in Silicon Valley in both the tech world and politics. Whether she is working for global Boards of Directors, or arranging business partnerships for her portfolio companies — Michelle is passionate about people, innovation and new ideas.
Mike Wheeler is the managing partner in Westerly Partners, LLC., providing strategic, financial and technology solutions to early-stage companies focused on the new media and technology industries. Wheeler serves as an investor or board member to adfreeq, BBN Networks, ChyronHego, Cycorp, FanCandy, Masada OxyNol, Milenia3, Library Ideas, LocalVox, Morningside Partners, Reynolds Journalism Institute, SportsRecruits LLC. and Win View. Before founding Westerly Partners, Wheeler was president of e2enet, an early stage venture capital firm. He has more than 25 years of senior management experience at NBC, MTV, Showtime, The Financial News Network, Meredith Broadcasting and