Near Earth LLC Expands Advisory Board with Media Veterans

Near Earth LLC has added three new members to its Advisory Board: Ted Bolton, PhD, President of Bolton Research Corporation; Gary Hatch, President and Chief Executive Officer of ATCi; and Stuart Jacob, founding executive and Senior Vice President of SignStorey, Inc.

(PRWEB) January 10, 2007 -- Near Earth LLC has added three new members to its Advisory Board: Ted Bolton, PhD, President of Bolton Research Corporation; Gary Hatch, President and Chief Executive Officer of ATCi; and Stuart Jacob, founding executive and Senior Vice President of SignStorey, Inc. Near Earth LLC Managing Partner Hoyt Davidson commented: "These additions will augment Near Earth's capabilities in media and telecom with tremendous depth in these sectors."

Ted Bolton is the President and founder of Bolton Research Corporation, which over the past twenty-five years has grown to be recognized as one of the premier broadcast/media research and marketing consulting firms in the United States. Dr. Bolton has successfully demonstrated his expertise in the areas of research, programming, marketing strategy, and management consultation in the most competitive markets across the country. Major broadcast and media companies have used Bolton Research to develop research and marketing strategies at their owned and operated facilities. Dr. Bolton is a frequent speaker at national media conventions such as the National Association of Broadcasters, Broadcast Promotion Association, and other group seminars. He was also selected as a contributor and author for NAB publications and academic journals. He has served on the faculty of University of Massachusetts, and has been an Adjunct Professor at Ohio State, St. Joseph University, Temple University, and University of Miami.

As an owner/operator in the radio industry, Dr. Bolton in 1993 participated in the formation and management of Liberty Broadcasting, a station group of 17 properties in the eastern United States. Liberty Broadcasting was sold to Clear Channel in 1996.

Gary Hatch was inducted into the Cable Television Hall of Fame in 2005. From 1986 to the present time Mr. Hatch has served as President and CEO of ATCi, a leading provider of end-to-end systems integration and services including installation and development of cable head-ends, ground stations, and ATCi's proprietary antenna technology, Simulsat. He has been retained as a consultant and resource for worldwide satellite industry and related entertainment media related public and private offerings, strategic advisory assignments and advice on mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. Mr. Hatch serves on the board of EastSat (an Asian satellite direct-to-home entertainment network) and Intersect, a Brazilian multi media company.

Prior to joining ATCi, Mr. Hatch served as a sales engineer and international executive for Motorola and Telecommunications, Inc. (TCI). He is a recognized industry leader in satellite communications and has extensive experience in cable television, wireless broadband, telephone, Internet, and the broadcast entertainment industries. Mr. Hatch also has vast experience in the international multimedia entertainment markets. He has been involved throughout his career in domestic and international satellite digital television, voice, Internet and data communications projects.

Stuart Jacob is a seasoned marketing and business development executive with a 20-year track record of developing, launching and managing numerous new media and ad-supported networks. Presently, in addition to providing consulting services for new media and digital entertainment companies, he serves as a founding executive and Senior Vice President for SignStorey, the largest Digital Signage company serving the supermarket industry. His prior positions included Chief Marketing Officer and EVP for Visible World, a revolutionary service that personalizes TV commercials on a household basis; Vice President for GE Capital, where he developed new media services for satellite including cable, Internet and Digital Cinema applications; founding executive in charge of all business development, programming and marketing for the first DBS North American service, the first commercial PPV service, the first multi-channel satellite PPV service and the first cable PPV service.

The Near Earth LLC Advisory Board and its areas of expertise include:

SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
-Dr. Terry J. Hart, (FSS - Fixed Satellite Services); Principal, Hart and Associates, LLP; former President, Loral Skynet; and former Space Shuttle Astronaut.
-Mr. Bruce Haymes, (FSS - Fixed Satellite Services); President, Coleytown Media Advisors and former SVP, Corporate Development and Strategy, PanAmSat.
-Mr. Ramin Khadem, (MSS - Mobile Satellite Services); Consultant to the satellite and telecom sectors; Chairman of the Board, Trustees of the International Space University (ISU), Former Chief Financial Officer, Inmarsat Ventures Plc and Inmarsat Group Holdings Ltd.
-Mr. Jeremy L. Rose, (VSAT - Satellite Networking); Senior Consultant, COMSYS; European Editor, International Journal Space Communications.

MEDIA
-Dr. Ted Bolton, (Radio and New Media); President and Founder, Bolton Research Corporation.
-Mr. Gary Hatch, (Cable, IPTV and DBS); President and CEO, ATCi.
-Mr. Charles "Chuck" Hewitt, (Broadcasting, DBS); President, Atlas Business Development; former President, Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA).
-Mr. Stuart Jacob, (New and Traditional Media); founding executive and Senior Vice President, SignStorey, Inc.
-Mr. Robert J. Maccini, (New Media and Radio); Chief Operating Officer, Ando Media LLC and Net Radio Sales LLC.
-Mr. Jimmy Schaeffler, (New Media , DBS and Satellite Radio); Chairman and CSO, The Carmel Group.

TELECOM
-Mr. Christopher Baugh, (Wireless Telecom and Satellite); President, NSR (formerly Northern Sky Research).
-Ms. Susan J. Irwin, (Telecom Market Research and Strategic Communications); President, Irwin Communications, Inc.
-Mr. Marshall W. Pagon, (WiMAX and Spectrum); CEO, Pegasus Communications and Pegasus Broadband (provider of Xanadoo wireless broadband service).
-Mr. Bruce Wendt, (Communications Towers); Managing Member, Steel Tree Partners, LLC; formerly led Mergers and Acquisitions for AAT Communications Corp.

About Near Earth LLC:
Near Earth is an investment banking firm focused on the satellite, media and telecom industries. Near Earth provides a full range of capital raising, advisory and consulting services to companies and their Boards. Near Earth's professionals have been involved in financings in excess of $30 billion during their careers. For more information, visit www.nearearthllc.com

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