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A+E Global Media Names Brian Weiss EVP, Strategy And Business Development

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  Published in Business and Finance on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 16:16 GMT by Deadline.com
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AE Global Media Appoints Brian Weiss as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development

In a move that signals its intent to accelerate growth and expand its portfolio of content‑driven media properties, AE Global Media announced today that former television executive Brian Weiss will take on the role of Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. Weiss will report directly to CEO and President Daniel A. Katz and will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s growth strategy, partnership development, and business‑development initiatives across the firm’s growing slate of brands.

Who is Brian Weiss?

Weiss comes to AE Global Media with a wealth of experience in the broadcast and digital media industries. He previously served as Chief Strategy Officer at Cinetas Media, where he orchestrated the company’s transition from linear television to a multi‑platform streaming ecosystem. At Cinetas, Weiss led a team that secured strategic licensing deals with major studios and negotiated distribution agreements that broadened the company’s reach to over 200 million households worldwide.

Prior to Cinetas, Weiss held senior roles at Warner Bros. Television, where he managed cross‑departmental collaborations between the network’s content, distribution, and digital divisions. His career began at NBCUniversal, where he climbed the ranks from a junior business analyst to a senior associate in the company's corporate strategy unit. His trajectory has been marked by a knack for spotting emerging trends and translating them into actionable business strategies that drive revenue and brand equity.

What the Role Entails

As EVP of Strategy and Business Development, Weiss will oversee three core responsibilities:

1. Strategic Growth Planning – Crafting the company’s long‑term roadmap, including identifying new market opportunities and potential acquisition targets. Weiss will be expected to conduct rigorous market analysis, competitive benchmarking, and financial modeling to inform decision‑making at the executive level.

2. Partnership Development – Building and nurturing relationships with content creators, distributors, technology partners, and ancillary brands. This includes negotiating co‑production deals, joint‑venture agreements, and brand‑integration initiatives that can be leveraged across AE Global Media’s portfolio of web series, podcasts, and live‑event programming.

3. Business‑Development Operations – Overseeing the day‑to‑day operations of the business‑development team, ensuring alignment with broader corporate objectives, and measuring key performance indicators such as revenue generated from new partnerships and the time‑to‑market for collaborative projects.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brian to our leadership team,” said Daniel A. Katz. “His deep experience in both traditional and digital media landscapes, combined with his proven track record of building strategic alliances, will be instrumental as we continue to expand our global footprint and diversify our revenue streams.”

Why AE Global Media Needs a Strong Strategy Lead

Founded in 2019, AE Global Media has quickly risen to become one of the fastest‑growing media companies in the digital space. Its core brands—ranging from the highly‑followed comedy web‑series “LaughLab” to the thought‑provoking podcast series “Future Tense”—have amassed millions of followers across YouTube, Spotify, and Instagram. The company’s rapid growth has been fueled by a combination of viral content, strategic influencer partnerships, and a data‑driven approach to audience engagement.

However, the digital media ecosystem is more competitive than ever, with larger conglomerates and emerging platforms vying for the same audience segments. “To stay ahead, we need a clear, data‑driven growth strategy that leverages our existing strengths while exploring new verticals,” Katz noted in a statement. By bringing Weiss onto the executive team, AE Global Media is positioning itself to navigate the complex landscape of content licensing, platform diversification, and monetization.

Linking Back to AE Global Media’s Recent Moves

The appointment of Weiss is not the company’s first major staffing shake‑up. Earlier in 2025, AE Global Media hired former Disney Interactive executive Lisa Nguyen as Chief Content Officer, tasked with spearheading the development of original programming for international markets. Nguyen’s mandate included overseeing the launch of a new Hindi‑language comedy series in partnership with Indian streaming giant ZEE5—a move that has already generated over 3 million views in the first two weeks of release.

In addition, the firm has been actively pursuing strategic acquisitions. A recent, high‑profile deal saw AE Global Media acquire PopUp Studios, a boutique production house known for its viral TikTok‑style short films. This acquisition expands AE Global Media’s production footprint and provides new avenues for cross‑promotional content across its existing brand ecosystem.

Industry Reactions

The media community has taken note of the appointment. Variety’s analyst panel highlighted the strategic timing of the hire, noting that Weiss’s background in securing multi‑platform deals aligns with the industry’s pivot toward “platform agnosticism.” “The next wave of growth for media companies will be driven by those who can seamlessly negotiate across streaming, social, and traditional broadcast platforms,” the panel added.

Meanwhile, Pitchfork’s media section discussed the potential ripple effects on podcast advertising, citing Weiss’s previous success in monetizing niche content through targeted sponsorships. “If Weiss can replicate that model across AE Global Media’s brands, we could see a substantial uptick in direct‑sponsor revenue and a new suite of branded content offerings,” the article suggested.

Looking Ahead

With Weiss on board, AE Global Media is poised to capitalize on a growing trend: audience fragmentation and the rise of micro‑audiences. The company’s internal data analytics team has already identified a 15 % increase in engagement for its “Future Tense” podcast series among Gen‑Z listeners in the U.S. and the U.K. By developing a targeted partnership strategy, Weiss could help monetize these micro‑segments through bespoke sponsorships, premium content tiers, and cross‑promotional campaigns with fashion, tech, and lifestyle brands.

In addition, AE Global Media’s upcoming slate includes a multi‑season documentary series on climate change that has attracted interest from environmental NGOs and green-tech firms. Weiss’s expertise in building alliances could be instrumental in turning these partnerships into tangible revenue streams while amplifying the series’ impact.

Conclusion

Brian Weiss’s arrival as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development marks a significant milestone for AE Global Media, underscoring the firm’s ambition to transition from a digital‑native content creator to a diversified media conglomerate. With a proven track record of navigating the intersection of traditional media and emerging digital platforms, Weiss is uniquely positioned to steer the company toward new growth opportunities, forge strategic partnerships, and deepen engagement across its ever‑expanding audience base. As the media landscape continues to evolve, AE Global Media’s bold staffing decisions, coupled with a clear strategic vision, suggest that the company is ready to lead the next wave of innovation in digital entertainment.