Today’s Gamer is a highly influential trendsetter and lifestyle maven whose passion for "what's next" is virtually unparalleled in the marketplace. Their interests expand far beyond the Games realm. They are first adopters and heavy consumers of media, technology, gadgets and gear.
UGO Entertainment has devoted the last 10+ years to serving this audience. The company’s flagship websites, UGO.com and 1UP.com along with its owned and operated properties engage a massive audience of more than 42 million monthly unique visitors around all things central to the Gamer Lifestyle: Movies, TV shows, Music, Comics, Technology, Gadgets, Gear, Girls, Sports, and of course, Games. We know Gamers because we are Gamers. We share their "what's next" obsession. Like most Gamers, the Web is our medium of choice and we use it ceaselessly to fuel their lifestyles, to entertain them and to give them maximum info on the latest developments.
This is all made possible by our strong relationships with our world-class client base. UGO Entertainment is an innovator in the online advertising space and has earned a reputation as a trusted publisher, delivering customized, high impact and high touch online advertising programs to the targeted, and highly coveted, 18-34 male demographic.
UGO Entertainment is a unit of Hearst Corporation and operates from its headquarters in New York City.
J Moses
Chief Executive Officer
J Moses co-founded UGO Entertainment in 1997 and serves as Chief Executive Officer. J provided the leadership and growth strategies to guide UGO Entertainment through the Internet shakeout and ultimately to its successful acquisition by Hearst Corporation. With over 30 years of media experience, J has successfully managed both traditional and digital businesses.
In 1996, as President of MTV Russia, J presided over the launch of MTV Networks in Moscow and from 1992- 1995, J served as President of BMG Interactive where he greenlighted Grand Theft Auto which has gone on to become one of the top selling video games of all time.
J also served as Vice President at Times Mirror Magazines where he founded the New Media division and as Chief Operating Officer of the CRB Broadcasting Group where he rescued and engineered the turnaround of a formerly bankrupt radio company. J served as a producer at ABC Sports for four Olympic Games and has created a dramatic series for CBS and a television movie for Lifetime Television.
Mr. Moses received his BA from Princeton University, his MBA from Harvard University and is a member of the Board of Directors for Take-Two Interactive Software.
Michael McCracken
President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Revenue Officer
Michael McCracken joined UGO Entertainment in 1998 and serves as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Revenue Officer. Michael oversees all operational functions within the company and is focused on driving premium advertising, performance advertising and alternative revenue streams.
Prior to joining UGO Entertainment, Michael was an investment banker with Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions, public and private debt and equity issuance as well as principal investing in start-up ventures within the internet market space through DLJ's Global Retail Partners' merchant banking fund (GRP).
Michael also worked with Salomon Brothers Equity Capital Markets Group and with Intel Japan KK as the Director of Business Development.
Mr. McCracken received his BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and his MBA from Harvard University.
Brian LaRock
Chief Financial Officer
Brian LaRock joined UGO Entertainment in 2003 and serves as Chief Financial Officer. Brian is responsible for the financial operations of the company providing strong financial planning, management and guidance while supporting the entire operations of UGO.
Along with 8+ years of internet experience, Brian brings a wealth of financial experience and expertise to UGO Entertainment where his diverse background includes financial management positions in software, manufacturing, transportation and education. Prior to joining UGO, Brian was the Controller for Experience.com, where he played a major financial and operating role in this on-line, college e-recruiting start up. Brian also served as the Controller for Pivotpoint, Inc., a mid-range, ERP software company and played a major role in the sale of Pivotpoint to Mapics, Inc.
Mr. LaRock received his BS in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts.
Richard Kennedy
Senior Vice President, Business Development
Richard Kennedy joined UGO Entertainment in 2004 and serves as Senior Vice President for Business Development where he manages business development, corporate development and strategic and affiliate partnerships.
Prior to joining UGO Entertainment, Richard was the Senior Director for Business Development at HiWire, Inc., a software company that provides streaming ad management and delivery for online broadcasters. Richard negotiated and managed affiliate relationships with over 400 US terrestrial and Internet radio stations while at HiWire.
Richard also produced the New England Patriots Radio Network broadcasts, produced music programs for WBCN, Boston and co-founded a successful commercial real estate corporation in Massachusetts.
Mr. Kennedy received his BA from Boston College and his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
- Company Name: UGO Entertainment, Incorporated
- URL: http://www.UGO.com
- Founded: April, 1997
- Headquarters: New York, NY
- UGO Entertainment consistently ranks among the Top 10 Multi-Category Entertainment properties, according to Nielsen Online
Profile: UGO Entertainment (www.ugo.com), a unit of Hearst Corporation, has been exclusively online for over ten years, creating quality lifestyle content for Gamers. The company’s flagship websites, UGO.com and 1UP.com along with its owned and operated properties engage a massive audience of more than 42 million monthly unique visitors with a distinctive editorial voice and a passion for all things central to the Gamer lifestyle: Movies, TV shows, Music, Comics, Technology, Gadgets, Gear, Girls, Sports, and of course, Games.
UGO Entertainment has earned a strong reputation as a trusted publisher, delivering customized, high impact and high touch online advertising programs for its world-class client base, and is a leader in attracting the coveted 18-34 male demographic. The company operates from its headquarters in New York City.
- Management:
- J Moses, Chief Executive Officer
- Michael McCracken, President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Revenue Officer
- Brian LaRock, Chief Financial Officer
- Richard Kennedy, Senior Vice President, Business Development