IABM Appoints Jerry Gepner CEO

Jerry Gepner

IABM, an international trade and business association for broadcast and media technology with 450 members worldwide, has named Jerry Gepner its new CEO. He replaces Peter White, who in almost 14 years at the head of the organization presided over a period of strong growth in difficult times, the group said. He continues to work with IABM on consultancy projects.

Gepner, a graduate of the University of South Carolina, has had a long and very successful career in the media industry. Early on he was a leader in sports television, working for CBS Sports and as one of the original executives at Fox Sports. He was co-founder and COO of Sportvision, which developed and deployed real-time augmented reality graphics in American football, NASCAR and other sports.

More recently he was group CTO then divisional CEO at Vitec Group (now Videndum). Gepner joins IABM from CP Communications, a provider of wireless audio, video and IP production solutions, where he was COO.

“We are thrilled to appoint someone who will advance the organization’s efforts across the board,” said Josh Arensberg, chair of the IABM board. “Jerry Gepner is a very exciting appointment. He has 20 years of C-level business experience, and at the same time he has won five Sports Emmy Awards and has been inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. He has been both a buyer and a seller, giving him great perspective.

“This is the kind of experience in breadth and depth we need,” Arensberg added. “We are confident he is going to drive the IABM forward as a powerful advocate for our industry, reinforcing the IABM as the single authoritative voice for all suppliers of media technology.”

Gepner added: “I am very excited by this opportunity. Of course I have been very aware of the value of the IABM, and I look forward to being able to contribute to its continuing success. Trade bodies only have value if they give their members more influence, more understanding and more reach. I look forward to sustaining these as I get to know every member company in the near future.”

Lucinda Meek, IABM chief finance and operations officer, said: “IABM has grown to be an internationally recognized and respected organization. The appointment of Jerry Gepner underlines our global presence, and the whole team is looking forward to new challenges as we go ever further in representing the interests of the technology sector.”

Gepner will be introduced as the new CEO at IBC (Sept. 15-18, RAI Amsterdam), and will take up his new role in October. He is based in Philadelphia.