High-Profile Interactive TV Industry Figure, John P. Roberts, Joins Discovery-Hasbro JV, The Hub

John P. Roberts, the executive who pioneered participation TV in the US as SVP of digital media and entertainment at the Game Show Network (now GSN), has been named SVP of digital content and cross-platform entertainment at The Hub, a multiplatform children's TV network that is a joint venture between Discovery and Hasbro and that is scheduled to launch October 10th with what it promises will be a "robust and engaging online presence." He will report to The Hub's president and CEO, Margaret Loesch.

According to The Hub, Roberts will oversee the development and execution of the network's overall digital strategy, online content and other digital and social media platform strategies; and will be tasked with ensuring that all digital content reflects the network's objectives, creative vision and brand. He joins The Hub from Lucasfilm, where he was head of digital media, responsible for developing the strategy for that company's digital media initiatives and coordinating collaboration across such business units as Lucasfilm, Lucas Arts, ILM and Sky Sound. In addition to the Game Show Network (note: for more on Roberts' work at that network, see for example, the interview with him that was published on itvt.com, September 15th, 2006), his resume includes stints at Universal Studios and at News Corp., where he was recruited to establish Fox's first ever Internet presence (which encompassed Fox Entertainment, Fox Sports and Fox Kids Network). He is a four-time Emmy nominee for interactive TV and a recipient of an [itvt] Award for Leadership in Interactive and Multiplatform Television.