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TV Networks Concede to the Streaming Future
Talks about Television, Media and streaming content
JN
James Norman
Managing Partner at Black Operator Ventures
Oakland, California
Overview
James Norman is the CEO at Pilotly and a Managing Partner at Black Ops, with expertise in AutoTech, Entertainment & Sports, Media/Content, and E-commerce sectors. His career highlights include founding GroupFlix and Ubi Video, along with investing in companies like Stimulus and Livegistics at various stages of development.
Work Experience
Co-Founder
2025 - Current
Building the predictive consumer intelligence model for creative content (currently in stealth with Fortune 100 design partners)
Managing Partner
2021
Black Operator Ventures backs the most underinvested founders who are building technology to solve real world problems, where there are little to no regulatory huddles. We lead seed rounds, and opportunistically co-invest at the pre-seed and series A alongside our ecosystem partners.
Black Ops is a seed stage venture fund backing outstanding Black founders
CEO
2014
Pilotly is the first market research platform built for creative content. We help the largest organizations of the world optimize their content to achieve their intended outcome. Learn more at http://www.pilot.ly
EMPOWERING RESEARCH TEAMS TO CAPTURE CREATIVE INSIGHTS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD
Raised $350,000.00 from Google for Startups.
Chairman
2016
Transparent Collective (TC) is a group of founders dedicated to increasing exposure and access to Silicon Valley for African-American as well as Latino/Hispanic men and women. TC is working to break down barriers that acutely affect the success of minority founders at the early start-up stage.
Transparent Collective is a non-profit organization helping underrepresented founders access the growth resources and connections.
Founder
2013 - 2014
An a la carte TV service that enables TV fans to choose their favorite shows and put in them into a monthly pass.
GroupFlix is an elegant online video service that enables TV lovers to choose the shows they want with an affordable monthly subscription.
Chairman of the Board
2013 - 2013
Founder / CEO
2008 - 2013
Put all your favorite videos in one place and discover new ones while you're at it. Using Ubi's intuitive video guide, alongside its other great tools, you can take your ideal video experience anywhere you want. Combining linear / OTT feeds of traditional network content along with SVOD and MCN content, Ubi delivers an all in one viewing experience personalized to your needs.
Co-Founder / Chairman of the Board
2010 - 2012
Manage strategic vision and product strategy at the premier automotive lifestyle fashion label, F1RST.
Web Initiatives
2009 - 2010
Formed a team that successfully launched Mitsubishi into social media, building a significant following on Facebook, YouTube and Flickr. General web maintenance on Mitsubishicars.com Developed Interactive strategy to link online efforts to brand story (remains in implementation stage)
Product Planning
2005 - 2008
Co-Founder
2003 - 2006
Automotive marketing firm that developed concept vehicles, devised Gen Y marketing strategies and produced brand events. Clients roaster included, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Mazda and others
Education
BSE
2000 - 2005