Former Amazon executive Paull to lead Bamtech

MLBAM, the interactive media and internet division of North America’s Major League Baseball, has appointed Michael Paull as the new chief executive of its Bamtech video technology division.

Paull previously served as vice-president of digital video at e-commerce giant Amazon, and had been credited with spearheading the growth of the Prime Video service.

Paull, who will start in March and report directly to the Bamtech board of directors, will succeed Bob Bowman, MLB’s president for business and media, who has steered the rapid expansion of the division over the past decade.

MLB had hired recruitment agency Egon Zehnder to look for a chief executive for Bamtech, whose roster of sports clients includes the National Hockey League, MLB, golf’s PGA Tour, wrestling’s WWE Network and Ice Network, a digital platform for professional figure and speed skating.

"Michael is a talented and accomplished executive who shares our collective vision for Bamtech as it aggressively explores new means to acquire and distribute video content," MLB commissioner Robert Manfred said. "We are confident Michael will deliver on the incredible potential and promise this venture has for building powerful viewing experiences for its clients and their customers."

In November 2016, Bamtech linked up with media and entertainment company Discovery Communications to create the new Bamtech Europe division.