Firstlight Media Beefs Up Sales, BizDev To Support OTT Market

With the number of streaming services continuing to grow to record levels, Firstlight Media today announced expanded support for the industry, adding three executives to its sales and business development team.

Bal O’Neil has joined the company as vice president of solutions engineering, Eric Goldstein will serve as head of business development and John Ferrandino has been named head of sales. All three will be responsible for delivering partner and client solutions for video service providers.

OTT market activity has increased exponentially during the current year; Parks Associates notes that there are now 300 services, more than doubled the total of six years ago. In addition, services are seeking new solutions that can help them resolve issues or capitalize on new opportunities as a result of the steep increase in pandemic viewing.

“The increased competition for a growing pool of viewers has raised the stakes exponentially for every single OTT provider,” said Paul Pastor, chief business officer and co-founder of Firstlight Media. “Having Bal, Eric, and John on our team gives the industry access to a broad spectrum of expertise that can help them build business, audiences and ROI.”

O’Neil helped drive customers’ successes during more than a dozen years with QuickPlay, the predecessor of Firstlight Media, and AT&T, for which she helped to define global solutions for Fox, Singapore’s Hooq and Telus. She most recently was vice president, solutions delivery for Evergent Canada.

Goldstein is expert at identifying and growing business opportunities within organizations. During almost a dozen years with Disney/ABC he spearheaded distribution, business development and strategic partnerships for ABC Digital Media Group, Disney ESPN Media Networks and Radio Disney Networks, for which he was vice president, distribution and digital products.

Ferrandino is a leader in building and leading world-class sales organizations. He was responsible for managing sales or market development activities with Limelight Networks, Conviva and most recently Amagi, for which he was senior vice president of sales, Americas.