23 May 2019
BLACKBIRD PLC
("Blackbird" or the "Company")
Directorate change
Dawn Airey appointed as a Non-Executive Director
Blackbird plc (AIM: BIRD), the developer and seller of the market-leading cloud video platform, Blackbird, is pleased to announce that Dawn Airey will join the Board of Blackbird on 23 May 2019 as a Non-Executive Director.
Dawn is a veteran of the media industry, having worked in television for 30 years, holding senior positions with the majority of the United Kingdom's commercial broadcasters. Most recently, she spent three years as CEO of Getty Images (October 2015 - December 2018), prior to which she spent two years as Senior Vice President at Yahoo! Inc's EMEA office, where she led the Company's operations in the region.
Prior to joining Yahoo!, Dawn held leadership positions at many major UK media companies, including President of a unit of RTL Group, Channel 5's parent company, and Chairwoman and Chief Executive of Channel 5, where she oversaw all operations. She also worked as Managing Director of Global Content at ITV where she oversaw its UK and international production and content businesses. Prior to that, she served as Managing Director, Channels and Services, at BSkyB, the UK's largest pay-TV broadcaster.
In 2018, Dawn was conferred as an Honorary Doctor of Arts, awarded by Edge Hill University for her outstanding contributions to the media industry. She was awarded a fellowship by the Royal Television Society (RTS) in 1998. She is a Vice President of the RTS, a Non-Executive Director of Getty Images, Inc., a Non-Executive Director of Thomas Cook Plc and Chair of The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. She holds a degree from the University of Cambridge.
Andrew Bentley, Chairman of Blackbird, said: "We are delighted that Dawn is joining the board where we know she will make a great contribution. Dawn has a wealth of relevant and valuable senior media industry experience across her remarkable career and the whole board looks forward to working with her in order to grow shareholder value."
Ian McDonough, CEO of Blackbird, said: "It's a real coup to have someone of Dawn's calibre and media industry stature join our board. Her international experience and network make her an ideal candidate and aligns perfectly with our global strategy and the executive team are looking forward to working with her."
Dawn Airey said: "I am excited to be joining the formidable team at Blackbird. The video technology that has been developed is extraordinary. I look forward to playing a part in guiding and amplifying its global potential."
Regulatory Disclosures
In accordance with Rule 17 and Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules for Companies, Dawn Elizabeth Airey, aged 58, is, or has been within the last five years, a Director or Partner in the following companies and partnerships:
Current directorships and partnerships |
Past directorships and partnerships held within the last five years |
Thomas Cook Group Plc The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain Grosvenor Limited Getty Images, Inc. |
Jackdaw Media Limited |
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Dawn Airey was a Director of Iostar Plc between 12 February 2007 and 16 April 2007 (being Chief Executive Officer between 8 April 2007 and 16 April 2007). Iostar Plc went into creditors voluntary liquidation on 25 May 2007. The deficit due to creditors was £3.34 million. The Company was liquidated on 9 July 2010.
There is no other information required to be disclosed under the AIM Rules for Companies.
Contacts:
Blackbird Plc |
Tel: +44 (0)20 8879 7245 |
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Ian McDonough, Chief Executive Officer |
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Adrian Lambert, Marketing Director |
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Allenby Capital Limited (Nominated Adviser and Broker) |
Tel: +44 (0)20 3328 5656 |
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Nick Naylor |
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Nicholas Chambers |
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Yellow Jersey (Financial PR) |
Tel: +44 (0)776 932 5254 |
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Joe Burgess |
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Felicity Winkles |
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About Blackbird Plc
Blackbird Plc (AIM: BIRD, www.blackbird.video) floated in February 2000.
Blackbird develops, markets and licenses a powerful cloud video platform using its patented Blackbird technology. The technology underpins multiple applications, which are used by rights holders, broadcasters, sports and news video specialists, esports live events and content owners, post-production houses, other mass market digital video channels and corporations.
The Blackbird technology allows full visibility of multi-location digital content, improves time to market for live content such as video clips and highlights for social media distribution, and results in much more effective monetisation.
Blackbird® is a registered trademark of Blackbird Plc.
Websites
www.blackbird.video
Social media
www.linkedin.com/company/blackbird-cloud
www.twitter.com/blackbirdcloud
www.facebook.com/blackbirdplc