Aaron LaBerge

Last updated
Aaron LaBerge
Aaron LaBerge 2019.jpg
LaBerge in 2019
NationalityAmerican
EducationComputer Science & Engineering B.S., University of South Carolina
OccupationTechnology executive
TitlePresident & CTO, Disney Entertainment and ESPN
Term2020–present

Aaron LaBerge is an American technology executive and the president & chief technology officer (CTO) of Disney Entertainment and ESPN. [1] He has been recognized as an innovator in content delivery and sports coverage. [2]

Contents

Early life

LaBerge was born in Charleston, South Carolina and went on to attend the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina; he graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science & Engineering in 1996. [3]

Career

LaBerge joined The Walt Disney Company in 1997 after Disney acquired Starwave Ventures. Before Starwave Ventures, he was a senior software engineer at Renaissance Interactive, which specialized in Internet-based content management and publishing. [3]

From 2007 to 2013, LaBerge was CEO of a venture-funded consumer software company he co-founded, Fanzter Inc. He directed the development of the business and the launch of its consumer-focused Internet and mobile suite of products. [3]

Prior to joining DTCI, LaBerge served as the CTO of ESPN starting from 2015 and served as an advisor on the Disney Research Advisory Board. [4] During his tenure at ESPN as a senior vice president starting in 2013, LaBerge was instrumental in the construction and design of ESPN's second Digital Center in Bristol, Connecticut.

In 2018, LaBerge was named EVP and CTO of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International and first reported to Kevin A. Mayer, who was chairman of the segment at the time. In 2020, LaBerge became CTO of the new Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution segment chaired by Kareem Daniel.

Recognition

LaBerge won a Sports Emmy in 2016 as an Innovator for his involvement with Megacast and was nominated the same year for the ESPN Pylon Camera. [5]

He was featured in Variety’s inaugural Digital Innovators list as an executive who is looking to “set a new bar” using “tech to directly connect and engage with audiences.” [2]

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References

  1. "LaBerge named CTO for Disney DTCI unit".
  2. 1 2 "Digital Innovators".
  3. 1 2 3 "Alumni Profile: Aaron LaBerge".
  4. "LaBerge rejoins ESPN".
  5. "37th Annual Sports Emmys" (PDF).