Aereo Hires Video Game Marketer

Will help push TV station streaming service beyond New York market

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/8/2013 3:12:10 PM

Aereo has hired Alex Moulle-Bertreaux, formerly global head of marketing and PR for Rockstar Games (Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption), to help market its service as it expands beyond the New York market.

"As chief commercial officer, Moulle-Berteaux will oversee the company's marketing initiatives, customer care, distribution partnerships and product management, playing a critical role in helping develop Aereo's overall business and its nationwide expansion efforts --  a planned 21 markets in 2013 -- announced in January," Aereo said in announcing the hire.

Aereo's service includes streaming TV station signals online, which has drawn the ire, legal and otherwise, of broadcasters, who view the service as something of a grand theft audio and video, arguing it is an illegal attempt to circumvent copyright laws. Aereo has argued that it does not need broadcaster's permission or pay them for airing the signals because they are simply providing remote, online access to over-the-air antennas supplying signals their customers get for free.

A court has refused to enjoin Aereo from providing the service while the court decides broadcasters' legal challenge, paving the way to Aereo's announced expansion plans last month.