• by Alex Weprin , September 7, 2018

George Strompolos, the CEO of the digital multichannel video network FullScreen, is stepping down from that role and shifting into an advisory position. He informed employees Friday in an email.

FullScreen was one of the earliest multichannel video networks, helping content creators improve their production capabilities, and helping to sell ads around their content.

While it was initially driven by individual talents on YouTube, it expanded into other areas like subscriptions, live events and production over time.

Otter Media, now owned by AT&T, acquired a majority stake in FullScreen in 2014; it acquired the remaining shares of the company early this year. FullScreen competitors like Awesomeness TV and Maker Studios were ultimately sold to larger media companies.

Otter Media COO Andy Forssell, who previously served as FullScreen’s COO, will continue to have oversight of the company.

“We knew early on that online video, the smartphone and social media would change the world,” Strompolos wrote in the email. “Together, we built a first-of-its-kind company that empowers a diverse spectrum of creative voices and redefines how brands approach their marketing in the modern era.”