CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | LONDON | APR 2014 to DEC 2018

 

AVTN NewsNet24⁷ – A proposed broadcast news network start-up covering every aspect of aviation, and other under-served, under-exploited markets.

 

Envisioned as a 24/7 multi-platform news service focused on aviation, transportation, and other specialist verticals, AVTN | NewsNet24⁷ aimed to serve a global audience often overlooked by mainstream networks.

 

• Spearheaded the proposed network from concept to commercial blueprint, leading fundraising for the £218M required to establish and launch commercial operations in London, New York, Singapore, and Amsterdam.

 

• Presented to VCs, corporates, TMT firms, and sovereign wealth funds managing assets up to $275B, gaining a conditional offer of $20M with backing for an IPO, along with a separate projected unicorn valuation exceeding $1.2BN.

 

• Directed financial and operational strategy, including budgeting, P&L, and forecasting. Year 4 projections targeted £300M+ in annual revenues with dividends exceeding 6%, all underpinned by analysis of 2.7M+ data points.

 

• Developed a global and regional B2C expansion plan to reach 540M+ households across EMEA, North America, LATAM, and APAC. Advocated early adoption of AI, Machine Learning, and Blockchain for scalable content delivery.

 

• Planned and Scoped a cutting-edge technology stack spanning satellite, cable, and digital platforms, including streaming via OTT, AVOD, and SVOD with UHD delivery. Defined workflows across content acquisition, post-production, and playout.

 

• Drove the strategic vision for editorial and creative content development across multinational and multilingual teams. Oversaw production planning and scheduling, rights management, compliance, and governance.

 

• Cultivated vendor engagement, building strategic relationships and attracting the involvement of over 100 B2B contributors.

 

• Engaged with EU government bodies to navigate regulatory and geo-political issues.

 

• Represented the venture at invitation-only events hosted by heads of state, senior diplomats, and global thought leaders, including the President of Estonia, US Senators, Ambassadors, and HNWIs.

 

• Attended BT’s Thought Leadership Dinner at the BT Tower during Future Travel Experience Europe 2015, joining senior airline and airport executives for a strategic discussion on innovation in travel and technology. Featured speakers included BT futurologist Dr. Nicola Millard, Etihad’s Head of Technology and Innovation David Oliver, and BT’s Head of Customer Insight Joanna Howard, with moderation by industry veteran Robert Cook.

 

Outcome & Reflections

 

While AVTN NewsNet24/7 did not proceed to market, due to shifting investor appetite and the complexities of global regulatory and political environments, the venture remains one of the most detailed and ambitious media startup frameworks ever developed.

 

There were no guides or playbooks on how to build a global news network from scratch. So, we designed one, applying our years of media experience. From R&D beginning in 2010 through four full proposal versions between 2014 and 2018, and over 130 interlinked financial models, the result was a Tier 1 launch strategy comprising 2.7 million datapoints, 90 budget areas, and full operational simulations across four continents.

 

The final proposal, deck, visual architecture, and a portion of the strategic planning were developed in close collaboration with Kinny Cheng, whose contribution brought visual clarity, structural cohesion, and precision to the project at every stage. Kinny was a fantastic sounding board from the moment he joined the project, and remains a respected colleague and valued friend.

 

Much of the groundwork remains strikingly relevant in today’s fragmented, OTT-led media environment. The accompanying podcast explores the project’s strategic arc, lessons learned, and what it might take to reignite the vision under new conditions.

 

Documents & Resources

 

AVTN NewsNet24⁷ – Investment Deck

 

A 39-page summary created for investor engagement, outlining the Tier 1 launch strategy, growth forecasts, market positioning, and platform economics. Designed for high-level review, the deck highlights AVTN’s revenue potential, distribution model, and audience conversion metrics. It complements—rather than replaces—the full operational proposal.

 

Download the Investment Deck (PDF)

 

AVTN NewsNet24⁷ – Proposal Document

 

The full operational blueprint for launching a global news network. This detailed proposal covers editorial structure, broadcast infrastructure, staffing plans, compliance, regulatory frameworks, and content delivery systems. Built from over 130 spreadsheets and 2.7M datapoints, it provides a rare inside view of what it takes to design a multi-platform media organisation from the ground up.

 

Download the Proposal Document (PDF)

 

AVTN NewsNet24⁷ – Market Overview

 

A compact reference summarising AVTN’s target regions, audience reach, and platform-by-platform distribution strategy. This overview includes international roll-out phases, key market segmentation, language and access modelling, and regional household penetration estimates. Ideal for contextualising the global strategy at a glance.

 

Download the Market Overview (PDF)

 

Note: AVTN.TV email addresses are no longer functional.