James Yaffe

James Yaffe is an American businessman, executive leader and investor, currently serving as Chief Strategy Officer for Ziff Davis where he oversees strategy, corporate development, and innovation for their three business units (Ziff Davis, IGN, and AskMen). Yaffe joined Ziff Davis after co-founding FUEL:M+C (with Jonathan Miller),[1] serving as an EVP and partner at Windsor Media (founded by Terry Semel) and as a co-founder/Managing Partner at Endeavor Market Solutions (the Corporate Consulting division of Endeavor Talent Agency- now WME/IMG).[2]

Early career

Yaffe began his executive career at Omnicom/BBDO in New York, NY where he served as Senior Vice President running the Apple Computer business. He left Omnicom to start TROON- a digital media company that was later sold to XCEED a publicly traded digital consultancy and brand management company. In 2001, Yaffe joined the Endeavor Talent Agency to launch Endeavor Marketing Solutions,[3] a corporate consulting division he founded to provide services including: brand management, content creation, business development and financial strategy for artists and corporate clients.[4] Yaffe served as managing partner until 2007; corporate clients included American Express, Motorola, Best Buy, EA, and Mattel. As well as building digital business for Ashton Kutcher, Pharrell Williams and helping to launch the Pussycat Dolls.[5]

From 2008 to 2011, Yaffe was a partner in Terry Semel’s Windsor Media, (a private equity firm), which invested in Media, Technology and Lifestyle companies including: in Vice, Square, Jagex, and Scopley, among others. In September, 2011, Yaffe co-founded FUEL:M+C (Media + Commerce), an early stage investor in digital media and commerce companies, including Maker Studios (sold to Disney), Bureau of Trade (sold to Ebay), and StyleSaint. The thesis behind FUEL: M+C was identifying leaders/companies committed to blending Content with Commerce.

Current

Yaffe was fortunate to partner with J2 Global (NASD: JCOM) to execute against his operating objective to extend his content and commerce investment strategy into the acquisition of Ziff Davis in November of 2012. As Ziff Davis became the first investment in the diversification of J2, thus creating a digital media division- currently run by the executive management team of Vivek Shah (CEO), Yaffe (Chief Strategy Officer) and Steve Horowitz (COO). Ziff Davis has been transformed into a modern digital media company with global scale and focus on Premium Content, Data and Commerce. It has more that 500 employees’ and office’s in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Montreal, London and Sydney.

Yaffe also currently serves on the Board of The Yaffe Center for Persuasive Communications at the University of Michigan.[6]

Education

Yaffe attended the University of Michigan, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, marketing, and communications. While attending the University of Michigan, Yaffe was also the captain of the golf team.

References

  1. ↑ "Our Visionaries: James Yaffe – Partner, Windsor Media". Brand Visionaries, LLC.
  2. ↑ Elliott, Stuart (October 24, 2005). "Doses of Reality, In-Flight and Out". New York Times.
  3. ↑ Brodesser, Claude (October 25, 2001). "Yaffe will Endeavor to top marketing arm". Variety.
  4. ↑ Kaplan, David (February 10, 2005). "Marketing Panel Predicts Low Ratings for Oscars". MediaPost.
  5. ↑ "VentureBeat Profiles - James Yaffe". VentureBeat.
  6. ↑ "Research Programs & Priorities". University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
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