Jaunt, a virtual reality startup, has named Hearst executive George Kliavkoff as its new CEO.
He will join the company effective today and Jaunt founder Arthur van Hoff, who has served as interim CEO, will resume his role as chief technology officer.
Kliavkoff joins Jaunt from Hearst Corporation where he served as co-president of Entertainment & Syndication, Hearst’s largest operating division, responsible for that company’s interests in cable television networks, including ESPN, Lifetime, A&E and History; television production and distribution; newspaper syndication; and merchandise licensing.
Kliavkoff also served as president of Hearst Ventures, which makes strategic investments in companies operating at the intersection of media and technology.
Jaunt makes a hardware and software suite for VR that includes everything from VR cameras to a VR app. The company has been without a CEO since co-founder Jens Christensen left in May.
Jaunt has received funding from prominent media companies and venture capital firms including the Walt Disney Company, Evolution Media Partners, China Media Capital, Highland Capital Partners, Google Ventures, Redpoint Ventures, Axel Springer, ProSiebenSat.1 SE, the Madison Square Garden Company, Peter Gotcher and Sky
“George’s strategic vision and expertise scaling innovative global media companies are exactly the right combination to take Jaunt to the next level,” van Hoff said in a statement. “His proven track record for introducing forward-thinking video technology platforms to mainstream audiences makes him an exceptional fit for us. The board and I are thrilled that he is joining the company.”