Hulu has shaken up its executive team, with Chief Content Officer Joel Stillerman, SVP of Partnership & Distribution Tim Connolly and SVP of Experience Ben Smith all leaving the company as part of a major reorganization announced Friday.
Going forward, Hulu said its content teams will be organized into two groups: one that brings together live TV and SVOD content licensing, acquisition and business functions; and a second for original programming, including handling relationships with creators, producers and studios. Craig Erwich, Hulu’s SVP of content will head up the original content group, reporting to CEO Randy Freer.
Hulu said a search is underway to find someone to head up the new content partnerships group, while the role of chief content officer is being eliminated.
“Ben, Tim and Joel have all played a significant role in getting Hulu to the strong position it is in today. They will forever be a part of Hulu’s success story, and we wish them the very best in their next endeavors,” Freer said in a statement.
Hulu is unifying its technology and product organizations into one group that will be overseen by the company’s new Chief Technology Officer Dan Phillips, who was formerly COO at TiVo.
Jaya Kolhatkar has been appointed to the newly-created role of Chief Data Officer, reporting to Freer, where Hulu said she will be focused on enhancing Hulu’s customer intelligence, implementing strong data governance, and driving a culture of objective, data-driven decision making across the company.
Prior to joining Hulu, Kolhatkar was SVP of global data and analytics platforms for Walmart.
“By adding new expertise and capabilities to our executive ranks and creating greater alignment around our customers, we are positioning Hulu to grow more rapidly, innovate more quickly and connect consumers even more deeply with the content they love,” Freer said.
Hulu’s advertising sales group will continue to report to SVP of Ad Sales Peter Naylor.
The company said that all shared services functions – finance, legal, corporate communications, and talent and organization – will remain unchanged, with execs reporting directly to Freer.