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Barry DillerCEO of USA Networks
Date of Birth: 02.02.1942
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Barry Diller - Biography
- Early Life and Career
- Success at Paramount Pictures
- Challenges and Expansion
- Expansion into the Internet Industry
- Perspective and Future Plans
Barry Diller - Biography
CEO of USA NetworksBarry Diller, often referred to as "Mr. Media" or the "mogul of media", is the Chairman and CEO of USA Networks, a major corporation known for its activities in the development of media technologies. Despite his prominent position in the industry, Diller is known for his unassuming demeanor and reluctance to make a big impression. In personal conversations and public discussions, Diller remains in the background, silently guiding the conversation and only speaking when he deems it necessary.
Early Life and Career
Barry Diller was born in 1942 in San Francisco and grew up in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. His path in the entertainment industry was somewhat predestined, given his upbringing in the famous neighborhood. He began his career as a messenger at the William Morris agency, specializing in finding young talent for television shows. By the age of 24, he was working as an assistant to the head manager of one of ABC's television divisions, and later managed the New York studio for Prime Time Television, an ABC Entertainment subsidiary.
It was during this time that Diller implemented his first successful idea: the creation of long-running series that captured the attention of a large audience, such as "Roots," "Rich Man, Poor Man," and "War and Remembrance."
Success at Paramount Pictures
In 1974, Diller was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Paramount Pictures. It was in this position that Diller's business acumen truly shined. Under his leadership, Paramount's profits quadrupled in a short period of time. In the early 1980s, in addition to his role at Paramount, Diller became the President of the newly formed Entertainment and Communications Group, which included corporations like Simon & Schuster, Madison Square Garden Corp., and SEGA Enterprises.
During this time, Diller expanded Paramount's holdings and market presence by acquiring seven struggling television stations and transforming them into the successful Fox Television Stations corporation. Diller's keen business intuition led to the creation of Fox Broadcasting Co. and Fox Network, which capitalized on the emerging world of high-tech media.
Challenges and Expansion
Diller's success caught the attention of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who offered Diller the position of CEO at 20th Century Fox in October 1984. Initially, their partnership thrived, but tensions arose when Diller demanded more financial involvement in Fox Inc. and greater autonomy in its operations. The resulting scandal led to Diller's departure from Fox in 1992.
Undeterred, Diller shifted his focus to the IT business. In 1995, he acquired a controlling stake in Silver King Communications, a little-known telecommunication company. This marked the beginning of his expansion into the cable and internet industries. Diller went on to acquire Home Shopping Network, Inc. and became the CEO of USA Network Inc., which transmits its broadcasts to approximately 70% of households in the United States.
Expansion into the Internet Industry
In the late 1990s, Diller recognized the potential of the internet and web portals. In 1999, USA Networks acquired Lycos, a leading internet portal, and formed USA/Lycos Interactive Networks. This move allowed Diller to tap into Lycos' 30 million visitors and expand his user base. Diller continued to expand his online presence by acquiring Expedia Online Travel Service, a major online travel agency, and integrating it with National Leisure Group.
Diller's strategy focused on providing comprehensive entertainment and travel services to his user base. He aimed to increase the company's revenue from these services to $4 billion. This led to the creation of USA Travel Channel and the integration of Home Shopping Network's television networks with the company's other services.
Perspective and Future Plans
Despite his success and influence in the media industry, Diller remains a private and enigmatic figure. He avoids unnecessary public appearances and media attention, but understands the weight his opinions carry within the business world.
Diller's focus on the tourism industry is driven by its significant growth potential in the online business sector. He plans to capitalize on the increasing demand for online travel services and expects the electronic transactions in the tourism industry to reach $63 billion by 2006.
In addition to his ventures in the entertainment and travel sectors, Diller continues to pursue opportunities in show business. Ticketmaster Online-City-Search, a part of USA Networks, sold over 83 million tickets to various events across the United States in 2000.
Barry Diller's journey from a messenger to a media mogul is a testament to his business acumen and ability to adapt to changing industries. As the CEO of USA Networks, Diller's empire continues to evolve and expand, leaving many curious about his future endeavors.
