The Disney+ executive will oversee the product and technology development strategy and execution for Univision’s streaming portfolio, anchored by the recently launched free ad-supported streaming service PrendeTV.
Univision Communications Inc announced that it has hired Michael “MC” Cerdá to serve as the Company’s first Executive Vice President, Product and Engineering, Streaming, joining from Disney+. Cerdá will report to Pierluigi Gazzolo, Univision’s President and Chief Transformation Officer.
In this newly created role, Cerdá will oversee the product and technology development strategy and execution for Univision’s streaming portfolio, anchored by the recently launched free ad-supported streaming service PrendeTV.
Cerdá will manage these functions for PrendeTV and future streaming products to ensure a differentiated, compelling, and consumer-centric experience and interface for Spanish-speaking audiences. He will also collaborate with key areas across the enterprise to help further enhance PrendeTV’s technology platform to better serve distribution partners and advertising clients.
“MC is a great addition to the Univision team; his leadership and technical expertise will help us grow and evolve PrendeTV while further accelerating the company’s broader transformation,” said Gazzolo.
“His entrepreneurial track record and deep experience in developing industry-leading technology platforms at Disney+, Facebook and Goldman Sachs are critical assets for us as we continue to evolve and differentiate our company in the streaming space.”
“I am delighted to join Univision— a trusted and iconic brand that means so much to U.S. Hispanics—and to now form a part of the first and only streaming service designed specifically for Spanish-speaking consumers. This unique opportunity allows me to leverage my deep consumer experience, technical and business background to make a significant contribution to the platform, internal teams and external partners,” said Cerdá.
“I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to continue to transform Univision and create something truly unique in the marketplace.”
Prior to joining Univision, Cerdá led product management as well as the international expansion in the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and parts of Asia Pacific for Disney+. Prior to Disney, he worked for Goldman Sachs as Chief Product Officer and Managing Director for Marcus, the company’s digital consumer bank.
Previously, Cerdá was Head of Media Products at Facebook, where he led Product, Design and Technology for the ad-based music video streaming service Vevo and led Product and Technology at MySpace. He also founded communications startups Threadbox, Jangl and Ooma, prefaced by nearly a decade in networking infrastructure at companies such as Redback, Lucent and Netopia.
Cerdá lives in California with his wife and is an avid Latin Jazz musician.
