MediaCo Promotes René Santaella to Chief Growth & Innovation Officer
Newly Created Role Will Own "Supply + Growth Engines" for TV, Audio and Digital & Streaming
MediaCo Holding Inc. (NASDAQ:MDIA), a leading, multicultural multiplatform media company spanning TV, audio, digital and streaming, today announced that it has appointed René Santaella to the newly created role of Chief Growth & Innovation Officer (CGIO), effective today. In this expanded executive role, Santaella will own MediaCo's end-to-end "Supply + Growth Engines" chain that converts content investment into scalable distribution, deeper audience engagement, increased inventory scale and quality, and improved monetization performance across MediaCo's entire portfolio.
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René Santaella
"MediaCo grew significantly in 2025 with record ratings and streaming viewership, revenue and reach. We are the momentum in the market, so we are investing in the required leadership and resources to accelerate growth," said Albert Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer of MediaCo. "René has a proven track record in building, modernizing and scaling multiplatform businesses and delivering measurable results. This new role is designed to be relentlessly focused on growth and innovation and maximizing the impact of our content, distribution, product and monetization engines."
A NEW ROLE BUILT TO SCALE MEDIACO'S GROWTH ENGINES
As Chief Growth & Innovation Officer, Santaella will report to the CEO and work alongside the C-suite to lead the strategy and execution of MediaCo's Supply + Growth Engines across TV, Audio and Digital & Streaming, including:
- content portfolio, originals development and programming strategy
- distribution and strategic partnerships
- product and audience engagement
- data and analytics to power testing and decision-making
- tech innovation, AI and workflow transformation
- inventory and revenue enablement
"This role is designed around a simple truth: in today's media landscape, growth comes from aligning the entire chain around consumers and a multiplatform world on every screen and every device," said Santaella. "I'm excited to be hyper focused on growth and innovation by optimizing the value of our content portfolio, expanding distribution and inventory, improving engagement, and advancing the technology and workflows that power our platforms."
"René's leadership will accelerate how we scale distribution, inventory and monetization across our platforms," said Brian Fisher, Chief Revenue Officer. "As MediaCo's audience continues to grow across TV, audio, digital and streaming, and with digital surging – this role helps turn that momentum into even greater value for advertisers and partners."
SANTAELLA BACKGROUND
Santaella has served as Chief Operating Officer of MediaCo since October 2024, leading multiplatform strategy, growth, distribution and operations across streaming video, network and local TV, audio and social for brands including EstrellaTV, Estrella News, Hot 97, Curiosity Stream's Spanish-language FAST channels, and Que Buena LA, among others. Additionally, he has been instrumental in growing MediaCo's sports business with Liga MX, Combate Global and Bally Sports as well as transforming radio and news shows into live and interactive multiplatform video content across all platforms. Previously, he served as Chief Digital & Streaming Officer at Estrella Media, Inc., where he led the vision, strategy and growth for the company's digital and streaming business. His prior experience also includes senior leadership roles at Sony Pictures Television and Disney, with deep expertise across digital, streaming operations, and advertising monetization.
Santaella holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Business and a B.A. from UCLA.
About MediaCo
MediaCo Holding Inc. (NASDAQ:MDIA) is a diverse-owned, multi-platform media company serving multicultural audiences nationwide. Its powerhouse brands—including HOT 97, WBLS, EstrellaTV, Estrella News, Que Buena Los Angeles, and the Don Cheto Radio Network—reach more than 20 million people each month across television, radio, digital, and streaming platforms. Its Sigma Audio Networks LLC, a groundbreaking national multicultural audio network, is modernizing how advertisers reach America's growing multicultural audiences. Learn more at https://mediaco.now.
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