In a bid to drive its agenda around immersive, next-generation entertainment experiences, Fox has launched a new division, FoxNet, which will work across 20th Century Fox Film and Fox Networks.
Emerging from the Fox Innovation Lab, which launched The Martian Experience, the company’s first commercial virtual reality (VR) endeavour, FoxNext will broaden its objective to support all of 21st Century Fox’s business and will also work closely on film studio projects. Namely, the new division will oversee the production of studio franchise VR experiences, such as the already announced Alien and Planet Of The Apes productions, and work to commercialise Fox’s overarching VR strategy. It will also oversee the company’s location-based entertainment business including the development of the 20th Century Fox World theme park in Malaysia.
Leading the new division will be Salil Mehta, who first joined Fox in 2013 and most recently served as president, content management, for Twentieth Century Fox Film. Mehta will begin his new role immediately, reporting jointly to Peter Rice, chairman and CEO of Fox Networks Group, and Stacey Snider, chairman and CEO of Twentieth Century Fox Film.
Commenting on the appointment, Rice said: “We’re excited by the power of new technologies to drive the art of storytelling forward and we know we’ve only scratched the surface. Salil brings a strategic business vision and a deep understanding of new technologies allowing us to expand our creative capabilities.’
Snider added: “Extending our storytelling to new platforms in new ways is a constant focus for us as we look to build more touch points with consumers every day. Building on the momentum we’ve already seen in this area via the Fox Innovation Lab, FoxNext represents a natural next step in defining our long-term vision in this arena.’
Source: Rapid TV News
