New CEO and Chairman for MarketCast Group

Los Angeles-based consumer insights business MarketCast Group has appointed long-time media and entertainment exec John Batter as Chief Executive Officer, replacing Henry Shapiro who has moved into the position of Chairman.

MarketCast Group comprises four consumer insights businesses: entertainment research specialist MarketCast, research and strategy agency Insight Strategy Group, social media research and analytics firm Fizziology, and sports research and advisory firm Turnkey Intelligence. The group is a portfolio company of private equity firm Kohlberg & Company.

Batter, who recently joined the Group's Board, takes up the leadership position after serving as CEO of Tribune Media Company's digital and data segment Gracenote, prior to its $560m cash sale to Nielsen. Earlier, he was CEO of M-GO, a joint venture between DreamWorks Animation and Technicolor; President of Production for DreamWorks Animation; and a senior executive at Electronic Arts.

In his new role, Batter will replace Shapiro, who has spent nearly twenty years helping to grow the group from a mainly domestic, theatrical-only research business to a provider of entertainment research and analytics worldwide. Commenting on the news, Shapiro said: 'I am excited to dedicate my time to working with John to take the company to the next level as Chairman, and to pass day-to-day responsibilities to a talented and seasoned executive team. I am thrilled to welcome John to MarketCast Group. He has the perfect mix of experience and skills for this phase of the company's growth'.

Web site: www.mcastgroup.com .