Short International has appointed London-based Ian Carrasco as VP EMEA and LATAM.
Carrasco will be responsible for accelerating ShortsTV’s growth across the two regions, overseeing the rapid rollout of the Shorts and Cortos branded FAST (Free Ad Supported Television) channels which have already been launched around Europe on Samsung TV Plus, LG Smart TVs, Rakuten TV and, most recently, Pluto TV. Carrasco has also been charged with developing a strategy to bring the ShortsTV+ app to market, identifying additional customer acquisition and partnership opportunities, and driving the growth of ShortsTV’s linear channels, ShortsTV and TVCortos, in the regions.
Carrasco has extensive experience of working in the Spanish media and entertainment industry, including senior strategic and commercial business development roles for WarnerMedia, and leading multimedia production company, Mediapro Group. Most recently, he led the international expansion of Mediapro’s OTT platform and pay-TV channel targeted at Gen Z audiences, where he secured multi-country partnerships with leading Spanish-speaking pay-TV providers in EMEA and LATAM. In addition to delivering key global content licence deals, Carrasco managed WarnerMedia’s pay-TV channels and non-linear services distribution strategy, working on iconic brands including CNN and Cartoon Network.
Commenting on the appointment, Shorts International CEO, Carter Pilcher said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be joined by Ian Carrasco. He is a fantastic addition to the Shorts International team, combining a brilliant mind and a great sense of humour with a wealth of media experience and in-depth knowledge of the TV, SVOD and OTT markets. He joins us just as global consumption of the highest quality short entertainment is red-hot and will provide invaluable expertise to assist us in rolling out our TV, OTT and FAST channel services on the leading global platform.
“Even more importantly – our partners will love working with him as we grow the ShortsTV business across EMEA and LATAM. He has got the experience and creativity to rethink tired old lose-lose TV business models and help us and them reimagine the exploding content marketplace. This guy is amazing”.
Carrasco added: “European and Latin American consumers have a huge appetite for high-quality short form content. There is a significant opportunity to expand the ShortsTV/TVCortos footprint in the regions as we work with our growing group of strategic partners to bring their audiences exactly the content they want.
“I am so excited to join the fantastic Shorts International team. We have put in motion a comprehensive growth strategy to capitalise on the increasing popularity of short form content in each market. Not only are we working together to bring tailored marketing, content and distribution channels for our partners, but ultimately, we are creating a new generation of entertainment for audiences of all demographics with our short form gems”.
