Entertainment technology and services company Rovi named sales chief Tom Carson its president and CEO effective immediately, taking over for outgoing CEO Fred Amoroso, who announced plans to retire earlier this year.
Carson, previously executive vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, also was elected to the Rovi board. Amoroso will provide assistance during a 90-day transition period, as the company announced in May 2011.
Carson joined Santa Clara, Calif.-based Rovi in May 2008 (which was then called Macrovision Solutions), with the $2.8 billion acquisition of Gemstar-TV Guide International. At Gemstar-TV Guide, he had been president of the North American IPG business and president for North American CE business.
"The board of directors is confident that Tom Carson is the right person to lead the company," Rovi chairman Andy Ludwick said in a statement. "Our belief in Rovi's direction and strategy played a significant role in our selection process. Rovi is fortunate to have deep management strength and Tom has the skill-set and global expertise essential to lead this outstanding group."
Amoroso added, "Tom has been instrumental in expanding the company globally, especially in gaining traction with new solutions, which has led to our great success. Tom embodies key aspects of the Rovi culture through his ability to foster effective teamwork, focus on business execution and build customer relationships."
Carson, before joining Gemstar, held a variety of executive positions at Thomson, including executive vice president of global sales and marketing services. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration as well as an MBA from Villanova University.
"Rovi is a world-class company at the heart of digital entertainment technology with tremendous assets, vision, employees and customers," Carson said in a statement. "This is a market undergoing great transformation, which has exposed multiple opportunities. I look forward to taking on this new role, and moving the company forward."
In the third quarter of 2011, Rovi, a key supplier of interactive program guides to cable operators, increased sales to MSOs 13% in the third quarter of 2011. But the company's shares plunged after the company cited a weak outlook for its analog-copy protection and Roxio consumer software businesses.
