Eric Kessler

Eric Kessler is co-president of HBO, a position he has held since June 2007. Kessler oversees the marketing and worldwide distribution of the HBO and Cinemax brands across all distribution channels and new media platforms. His responsibilities include domestic pay television, the HBO international channels, program licensing, syndication and DVD sales. Kessler’s current focus is the worldwide launch of HBO GO—HBO’s new authenticated streaming service. HBO’s Technology Operations and Information Technology groups also report to him. Kessler joined HBO in July 1986 as a marketing manager in the Home Video division, ultimately serving as its president from 1989 to 1995. In March 1995, he moved over to the television network where he served as executive vice president, Marketing, launching the award-winning “It’s Not TV. It’s HBO.” campaign. During his tenure as head of marketing, HBO was awarded a number of prestigious marketing and advertising awards, including the very first Emmy® for a commercial. The marketing campaigns for “It’s Not TV. It’s HBO.” and The Sopranos were also inducted into CTAM’s Hall of Fame. Kessler is the recipient of numerous high-profile industry honors including Promax’s Brand Builder of the Year; Brandweek’s Marketer of the Year and was named a top 10 Innovator by Advertising Age. In January 2003, Kessler was named president, Sales, Marketing and Business Development. He currently serves on the board of directors for the New York City Police Athletic League as well the industry trade groups CTAM and IRTS. Kessler holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.