The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has announced that Richard Plepler, CEO, HBO, will be honoured with the Media Person of the Year 2014 title.
Plepler is responsible for the overall management of the TV service, which provides the two television networks – HBO and Cinemax – to over 114 million subscribers worldwide. HBO programming is sold into over 150 countries globally.
Philip Thomas, CEO, Cannes Lions, said, "Under Richard’s leadership, HBO has proved that reports of the death of television were extremely premature. By putting excellence in content first and last, and by creating highly acclaimed and award-winning shows, he has boosted audiences around the world whilst establishing a widespread and active international fan base. Cannes Lions is delighted to recognise Richard’s achievements and present him with the Media Person of the Year award.”
Pleper, who began his career on the staff of Senator Christopher Dodd, ran his strategic communication and production consultancy RLP from 1985 to 1992. He joined HBO as senior vice president, corporate communications in 1992, and was promoted to EVP, corporate communications in 1997. He became vice president of HBO in 2002; and was elevated to co-president in 2007 before taking on his current role in 2013.
Plepler said, “I couldn’t be more honoured to accept this prestigious award on behalf of HBO. HBO has always stood for excellence and quality across all levels of our business both domestically and around the world. To join such a distinguished list of honourees and their great companies is a special privilege.”
Plepler will be honoured with the award on Tuesday, 17 June, during this year’s Cannes Festival.
Salar Kamangar, CEO, YouTube, was Media Person of the Year in 2013.
