Cris
Popenoe
Cris
Popenoe is a creative executive and entrepreneur with a proven track record as a
strategist, multi-platform media developer and integrator, content programmer
and partner and deal maker. Her experience spans the distance from idea to
consumer, and includes strategy, development, production, publishing, marketing
and sales.
Both a strategist and a practical, down-to-earth, get-it-done person, her work
includes strategies and implementation on entry, exit, capitalization, R.O.I.,
growth, positioning, pricing, distribution, risk-assessment, new market and
international expansion, due diligence, and intellectual property as well as
customer acquisition and retention.
Her particular area of focus is the development of interactive media with
transactional and emotional hooks across multiple platforms, including mobile
wireless devices, broadband, VOD, IPTV, iTV and DVD.
Cris has long-term relationships with well-positioned global industry leaders
and talent in all facets of the entertainment business in LA and New York as
well as Europe and Asia. She has the talent, contacts and the credibility to
develop and execute large-scale media ventures and the strategy and tactics for
the deployment and development of content and businesses across multiple devices
in a manner best suited to each device.
Cris has 30 years experience in managing media businesses. An entrepreneur as
well as an executive, Cris has been on the leading edge of self development and
wellness from the beginning. She’s also been deeply involved in kids’ media.
She's also done business in China and Japan. Over the last decade, Cris has
produced (or been senior executive in charge of producing) many award-winning
digital media projects
In 1972, she co-founded Yes! Inc. She served as its president until 1992 and
grew the company into a leading purveyor of books, videos and music related to
wellness, holistic living and personal growth and Asian studies — both at retail
and through a significant international catalog and direct marketing business.
She was the first to computerize an independent book store. The software that
she later developed from scratch was first licensed and then sold to the largest
book store in Europe (a part of the Stockmann Group) where it subsequently
became the basis of the computer system for the largest department store group
in Scandinavia.
The first to popularize the term Wellness (in her 1977 book of the same
title), Cris has deep subject matter expertise in well-being, fitness, life
balance, personal development and body-mind-spirit — with an ability to make
these topics accessible to mainstream audiences. The LA Times declared
her 1979 book Inner Development "the most useful guide to the literature
old and new of the consciousness revolution".
Cris has unparalleled experience in creating premium content in new media. In
1992, she was recruited to create Putnam New Media, funded by The Putnam Berkley
Group and Bertelsmann. Once again, she built an organization from the ground up,
developing program ideas, securing creative talent and producing all of the
CD-ROM content. Her efforts paid off as each title produced was a multiple
award-winner. In addition, Cris was an active participant in Hollywood's early
Internet efforts as a founding member of Universal's Technology Advisory Board
in 1992.
In 1996 she was recruited into the Media & Telecommunications group of Coopers &
Lybrand Consulting (which became PriceWaterhouseCoopers) to help build their
media practice. The following year she joined the Interpublic Group, where she
was Managing Director of Internet Retailing for Nicholson NY, one of their
agencies.
In 1998 Cris founded WiseBear.com, an expansive online business dedicated to
balanced living, personal growth, wellness and fitness. Merging commerce,
content and community, Cris raised nearly $5 million in venture capital and sold
the business to Michael Milken in August 2000 in an all-cash deal.
Cris founded Dawn Productions LLC in 2001. She and a core team of highly
talented associates deliver innovative, clear, practical and immediate solutions
for client problems. Cris' contact information is
cris@popenoe.com.