Charles Segars

Charles Segars has an industry-wide reputation for achievements in launching successful ventures including new media content start-ups, cable and satellite networks, branded entertainment, and a world renowned motion picture franchise. Mr. Segars is currently at DreamWorks Animation as a digital advisor to the senior most executives. He is involved in all aspects of DWA’s diversification into new media including content creation, distribution, and monetization through OTT and MVPD platforms. Recently, Segars launched the new YouTube/DreamWorks venture YouTube Nation and advises on other YouTube initiatives including AwesomenessTV and the upcoming DreamWorks Channel. Concurrently, Mr. Segars is also a member of the Board of Directors for Ovation TV and Ovation New Media, as well as its acting Chief Executive Officer. He was a key architect of the 2007 acquisition of the arts and culture-focused network and oversaw the re-launch and turnaround of the service. He continues to lead all strategic programming, marketing, ad sales, distribution, operations, and P & L aspects of the venture. Mr. Segars oversaw distribution growth of 45 million additional homes, the acquisition of IMF from Universal Music Group, and the building of the Ovation digital and international ventures. Additionally, Mr. Segars is founder of Segars Media, a content production company best known for Disney’s blockbuster franchise National Treasure, National Treasure: The Book Of Secrets, and soon to be released, National Treasure 3. He co-created and wrote the story for the franchise and serves as Executive Producer. Segars is a creative advisor to Levity Entertainment as well as on the board of advisors to a number of upstart content and social marketing companies. Prior, Mr. Segars was a senior executive at DreamWorks Television (EVP equivalent /no titles). There he shared responsibility for all aspects of series development, production, marketing and business affairs. Series included Spin City and Freaks & Geeks, mini-series including Steven Spielberg’s Taken, as well as a number of documentaries. He helped manage producer/writer overall deals and had oversight of the ABC TV/DreamWorks partnership. Prior to DreamWorks, Mr. Segars was Vice President of Primetime Specials and Late Night Programming at CBS Entertainment. There, Segars was a key member of the team responsible for launching the highly successful late night drama block CrimeTime After PrimeTime, Kids in the Hall, and The Late Show with David Letterman. He also oversaw all aspects of reality and news specials, as well as live event programs including The Grammy Awards, The Country Music Awards, and The Kennedy Center Honors. He has held a number of other senior executive positions including Vice President of Program Development at Viacom Productions and Executive Producer of Program Development at MovieTime/E! Entertainment Television. Mr. Segars’ involvement in digital media began when it was still called “new media” in 1999. He was a co-founder and CEO of the online site CountingDown.com, one of the premiere movie fan sites on the Internet in 1999. There, he was responsible for the launch of this self-publishing, e-commerce and community site. In this role, he oversaw marketing, operations, P & L, ad sales, and content. He orchestrated the sale of CountingDown.com to Vulcan Ventures in 2001. Segars also served as Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer at MarketRange Inc., a leading subscription and community aggregator whose properties included Perfectmatch.com. At MarketRange, Mr. Segars led a strategic partnership team that specialized in customer acquisition, marketing, and revenue generation for the Market Range suite of companies until its sale in 2007. Mr. Segars is deeply committed to public service and national security. He is currently a White House Associate leading the Advance Team for The Office of the President of the United States. Segars is also a sworn Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputy and currently serves in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Emergency Operations Bureau/Dignitary Protection Unit. Additionally, Segars is co-founder of OpSec Alliance Partners where he advises companies in matters of security, crisis management, and global logistics. Mr. Segars has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and completed a graduate certificate in International Security and Policy at Stanford University in 2011. He is an active member of the WGA, Producers Guild, and INSA, and has recently joined Carnegie Mellon as an adjunct professor for its Masters of Entertainment Industry Management Program.