GoPro installs former Microsoft executive Tony Bates as president
Posted by: Jon Ben-Mayor on 06/04/2014 11:17 AM
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The move is seemingly to get things ship shape before GoPro moves ahead with its IPO, which was initially announced back in February of this year. Bates, who was also CEO of Skype, will join the GoPro Board of Directors and his position will report directly to GoPro CEO and founder Nick Woodman.
In the recent press release, GoPro CEO Nicholas Woodman states; "I'm fired up to have two seasoned technology veterans like Tony and Peter join our team. Their passion and experience will help us realize our vision for enabling people to self-capture and share engaging personal content," said Nicholas Woodman. "As President of GoPro, Tony will focus on our core business as well as scaling GoPro's fast-growing media operations."
"It's an honor to join the GoPro team," said Tony Bates. "GoPro represents everything that excites me in a company. Incredible products, compelling content, a world-renowned brand and above all, amazing people who make it happen. Working for a technology company that creates products that people love and that capture life's magical moments is a dream come true."
Mr. Bates most recently served as Executive Vice President of Microsoft MSFT -0.03% responsible for business development, strategy and evangelism. He joined Microsoft in 2011 with the acquisition of Skype, where he had served as CEO since 2010. An expert in internet technologies, he has more than 25 years of leadership experience at the intersection of communications and technology.
At Skype, Mr. Bates led an aggressive effort to increase its user base and extend services beyond recreational and video calling. At the time of acquisition, he had introduced premium phone and video services and grown the monthly Skype user base to 170 million connected users per month. Prior to Skype, Mr. Bates served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cisco, heading up the enterprise, commercial and small business divisions. Additionally, he has served on the boards of YouTube and LoveFilm.
"It's an exciting time to be joining GoPro." said Mr. Gotcher. "The company has established a track record for developing cutting edge technology and understanding consumers. The incredible content being created by their customers represents the next great chapter in GoPro's story."
In the recent press release, GoPro CEO Nicholas Woodman states; "I'm fired up to have two seasoned technology veterans like Tony and Peter join our team. Their passion and experience will help us realize our vision for enabling people to self-capture and share engaging personal content," said Nicholas Woodman. "As President of GoPro, Tony will focus on our core business as well as scaling GoPro's fast-growing media operations.""It's an honor to join the GoPro team," said Tony Bates. "GoPro represents everything that excites me in a company. Incredible products, compelling content, a world-renowned brand and above all, amazing people who make it happen. Working for a technology company that creates products that people love and that capture life's magical moments is a dream come true."
Mr. Bates most recently served as Executive Vice President of Microsoft MSFT -0.03% responsible for business development, strategy and evangelism. He joined Microsoft in 2011 with the acquisition of Skype, where he had served as CEO since 2010. An expert in internet technologies, he has more than 25 years of leadership experience at the intersection of communications and technology.
At Skype, Mr. Bates led an aggressive effort to increase its user base and extend services beyond recreational and video calling. At the time of acquisition, he had introduced premium phone and video services and grown the monthly Skype user base to 170 million connected users per month. Prior to Skype, Mr. Bates served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cisco, heading up the enterprise, commercial and small business divisions. Additionally, he has served on the boards of YouTube and LoveFilm.
"It's an exciting time to be joining GoPro." said Mr. Gotcher. "The company has established a track record for developing cutting edge technology and understanding consumers. The incredible content being created by their customers represents the next great chapter in GoPro's story."
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