OTTera, a leading provider of white-label OTT applications and FAST Channel solutions, proudly announces the addition of Sarah Shessel as its new Director of Business Development. Sarah brings over 10 years of experience in the OTT space, most recently leading Ovation TV’s digital and social media operations.
In her new role, Sarah will focus on expanding OTTera’s customer base and driving global distribution efforts through OTTera’s innovative StreamBridge™ service. With her multifaceted background, and a deep understanding of the digital media and streaming landscape, Sarah is poised to deliver significant growth across OTTera’s portfolio of services, empowering customers to navigate the fast-evolving streaming industry.
A native Parisian, Sarah’s international experience, coupled with her multilingual skills, makes her a vital asset in OTTera’s mission to grow its global presence and provide tailored solutions and support to both customers and partners. Her marketing expertise and global perspective will be key in fostering strong relationships and ensuring the success of OTTera’s diverse, worldwide client base.
‘We are thrilled to welcome Sarah to our dynamic team,” said Christine Vallrugo, Director of Sales Operations at OTTera. ‘Her extensive experience and expertise in the media and streaming industry, make her a perfect fit for OTTera’s vision. As we continue to expand our StreamBridge™ service and drive global marketing efforts, Sarah’s innovative approach and strategic thinking will be invaluable in delivering impactful solutions for our clients. Her ability to navigate the complexities of the streaming landscape and foster strong, meaningful partnerships will play a crucial role in our growth, allowing us to serve an even broader and more diverse global audience’.
‘I am thrilled to continue my journey in the streaming space with a global powerhouse like OTTera. J’ai hâte de grandir au sein de cette si belle équipe soudée et d’évoluer dans un environnement si novateur! Bon MIP à tous!’ said Sarah Shessel.
Sarah’s Bio:
Born and raised in Paris, France, Sarah Shessel moved to Los Angeles during her teenage years. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in political science and mass communications from UC Berkeley and earned her MFA in Producing from the American Film Institute. Sarah’s thesis film earned her an Emmy Award while she simultaneously covered politics during an election year as part of her graduate internship at NBC4 News. Sarah began her career producing documentaries for both North American and European television. She later joined The Huffington Post, contributing to the pioneering team behind HuffPost Live, the first live-stream news channel of its kind. She then became the first-ever Social Media Manager for Portland’s KATU News (Sinclair Broadcasting).
Upon returning to Los Angeles, Sarah joined BLT, one of Hollywood’s premier creative agencies, where she led social media for several Amazon Prime Video series and was appointed Lead Strategist for Amazon Kids. For the past seven years, she headed the digital department at Ovation TV, overseeing social media, tech operations, and guiding the company through the rapidly transforming OTT and FAST channel streaming landscape. She has launched several FAST channels and mobile apps and served as the gatekeeper for Ovation TV’s award-winning AVOD travel entertainment channel, JOURNY.
