Modern Times Group Mtg AB announced the appointment of Rikard Steiber to the new role of Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer with effect from 4 February 2013 and the promotion of Matthew Hooper to the new role of Executive Vice President of Group Corporate Communications with effect from 1 February 2013. MTG also announced the appointment of Richard Beeston as Vice President of Finance with effect from 11 March 2013. Rikard Steiber joins MTG from Google, where he has worked for 6 years and most recently as Global Marketing Director for Google's Mobile & Social Advertising business. Rikard previously served as Director of Product Marketing for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, a role which included the launch and ongoing marketing of products including Search, Maps/Earth, Gmail/Apps, YouTube, Mobile, Android, Chrome, Adwords and AdSense. Prior to joining Google, Rikard was CEO and co-founder of XLENT Strategy and Digiscope Consulting in Stockholm and one of the co-founders of Scandinavia Online AB. Rikard will lead the digital development of MTG's existing operations, new businesses and service offerings, and be responsible for ensuring that the Group exploits the full digital revenue and impact potential of its rich and varied programming content, multiple
distribution windows and broad range of customer contacts. Rikard will explore both organic and M&A led digital expansion opportunities for the Group and will report directly to MTG President and CEO Jørgen Madsen Lindemann. Rikard will be specifically responsible for MTG's existing digital media business, which comprises overall responsibility for the development of the Group's free-TV channel online catch-up or ‘Play' services in 9 countries and online radio operations in 5 countries, as well as for new services such as the Like.TV second screen service, the new Viasat Sports online TV clips service, and the Klipster coupon services (run in cooperation with Metro International). Rikard will also take over responsibility for the Viagame online gaming service. MTG's other digital activities include the Viaplay online pay-TV service, which is available across the Nordic region and Russia. Matthew Hooper has worked for MTG since October 2011 as Group Head of Corporate Communications and Planning. He previously worked with MTG for 12 years as co-Founder and Managing Partner of Shared Value Limited, the international corporate communications consulting firm. Matthew is responsible for the planning and implementation of the Group's corporate communications activities including public relations, investor relations, government relations and internal communications. Matthew reports to MTG President and CEO Jørgen Madsen Lindemann. Richard Beeston rejoins MTG in the UK and will be responsible for certain Group finance, controlling and administration functions and play a key role in new
business development and expansion, including mergers and acquisitions and other projects. Richard is a chartered accountant and has been Group Finance Director of BBC Worldwide Ltd, the UK based commercial arm and wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), since June 2009. Richard previously worked at Viasat Broadcasting UK Limited between October 2006 and June 2009 as Chief Financial Officer of Broadcasting. Richard will report directly to MTG Chief Financial Officer Mathias Hermansson, who is also responsible for the Group's strategy, M&A and legal departments.