Thomas Kressner

A seasoned entrepreneur, Thomas has a record of visionary leadership, dedication to stakeholders, and an extraordinary ability to secure influential partnerships. His career journey spans sectors from finance to media and technology, showcasing his resilience, strategic acumen, and future-focused thinking. Starting his educational journey at the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), Kressner moved on to Hewlett Packard in Sweden. His business acumen grew further with an MBA from INSEAD in 1981, supported by a scholarship from SSE. He made a name in finance, working at esteemed firms like Bankers Trust and Kidder Peabody and as a limited partner at Morgan Stanley in London until 1998. In 1998, Kressner transitioned from finance to the media and technology sector, founding Yes TV, a pioneering video-on-demand company in Europe.

Heavyweight Shareholders

His leadership attracted heavyweight shareholders such as Walt Disney, Warner Bros, and Sony Entertainment. The company rapidly achieved unicorn status with a pre-market valuation of USD 1.2 billion in 2000. Kressner was recognized as a runner-up for Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year that same year. Despite a tempting USD 100 million acquisition offer from Masa Son, Kressner held firm. He targeted an IPO on the London Stock Exchange in 2000. However, a significant drop in the NASDAQ index led to the IPO's cancellation. Despite this, Kressner's determination and faith in his venture remained unbroken. Thereafter, Yes TV secured a TV license in Hong Kong and substantial investment from the founding family of China Light and Power.

Goal TV

This marked the evolution of the venture into Goal TV, a dynamic platform dedicated to broadcasting football content, including English football clubs such as Chelsea TV, Manchester TV, and Liverpool TV. Goal TV rapidly expanded its footprint and was aired in 300 million homes across Asia. In 2008, Kressner founded ASN, an American sports channel in Asia with exclusive NCAA, NHA, and NFL content. In an achievement, the NFL became a key shareholder of ASN, further strengthening Kressner's reputation to secure participation of influential stakeholders. ASN later underwent a rebranding to Sports Illustrated following a pan Asian partnership deal with Time Inc. in 2017. The two Sports Illustrated channels reached close to 300 million homes across Pan Asian Pay TV platforms. ASN was subsequently sold to a group of Chinese investors who planned for an IPO. While the IPO was eventually cancelled due to differences in strategy with the new shareholders, Kressner's strategic vision for the company remained commendable.

Yes Plus

Kressner's exploration of digital innovation continued with the launch of Yes Plus, a music platform in China in 2006. Despite the platform's closure due to the majority shareholder's scepticism of streaming music over the internet and mobile devices, Kressner's conviction in the potential of the digital landscape remained strong. His belief was also embodied in NOIZETV, a social media platform launched in the Philippines in 2015, which served as an early precursor to platforms like TikTok In 2017, Kressner pioneered AOE, a venture targeting next-generation digital spaces. Despite a postponed USD 50 million fundraising effort in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he continued to explore ground breaking domains, including esports, gaming, the metaverse, edtech, and next-generation news platforms. Throughout his ventures, Kressner demonstrated unwavering dedication to his shareholders. He successfully attracted new investors while ensuring the continued involvement of original shareholders, reflecting his enduring commitment to inclusive growth.

Summary

In summary, Thomas Kressner is an exceptional entrepreneur with a proven track record in envisioning future trends, securing key shareholders, and navigating complex business landscapes. His pioneering contributions, coupled with his steadfast loyalty to stakeholders, position him as a compelling ally for investors seeking an innovative and experienced partner.