Gemini Investors has revealed the formation of Adventure Media Holdings, a new holding company composed of leading special interest-oriented media and events companies serving specialized audiences and verticals, with Ross Clark named as CEO.
Adventure Media Holdings brings together multiple businesses backed by Gemini to create a new level of synergy and scale — starting with leading players in the art, jewelry, and toy & family sectors — while working to expand the platform with additional acquisitions. [Disclosure The Toy Book is a division of Adventure Media & Events, one of the backed companies.]
The formation of Adventure Media Holdings comes amid the rapid resurgence of trade shows, conferences and other networking events following the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by the robust demand for face-to-face interaction and immersive, expertly crafted experiences.
Clark, an executive with more than two decades of experience in the digital media, events, social media, and tech industries, joins the company from Sanctuary, an innovative venture-backed marketplace in the wellness and advice space, where he served as CEO.
I'm delighted to lead Adventure Media Holdings during this exciting time in its development. The demand for specialized content and experiences shows no signs of slowing down, as shown by how engaged and loyal consumers are with content that lets them do or learn about the things they love. I can't wait to roll up my sleeves to explore ways to expand the company's portfolio, take it to the next level and pave the way for its successful future."
In his new role, Clark oversees all aspects of the company, from its long-term strategic planning, business growth, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), and products to distribution channels, revenue streams, and daily operations.
“We’re excited to welcome Ross, a trusted and forward-thinking leader, to launch and propel Adventure Media Holdings into its next phase of the business,” says Jim Goodman, President of Gemini Investors. “His proven track record of results, especially his success in adapting different forms of content, media, experiences, and events to new platforms, makes him a particularly well-qualified professional to capitalize on the vast opportunities for expanding the holding company’s leadership in the specialized media and events space.”
At Sanctuary, Clark led a 150-member team to develop and scale an interactive app that generated millions of users and garnered Apple’s “App of the Day” endorsement. He devised and oversaw its multi-platform growth strategy across marketing, PR, and social media, driving 4,000% year-over-year growth in two years. He also spearheaded ad-supported offerings and established partnerships with brands including Starbucks, Google, Marriott, Netflix, Diageo and Venmo.
Prior to Sanctuary, Clark was SVP of Business Development and Strategy at Epix, an MGM company, where he expanded digital distribution footprint through innovative deals with Roku, VRV and other leading platforms; Vice President and General Manager of the Hearst and Snapchat joint venture Sweet, where he increased global audience by 130% during his tenure; and Senior Director at Condé Nast, where he led the expansion of Condé Nast Entertainment’s distribution footprint and oversaw the company’s acquisition of Pitchfork Media.
Clark is a graduate of Columbia Business School and the University of Pennsylvania. He held previous roles, including corporate strategy at NBCUniversal, management consulting at Booz & Co., and more. Clark is also a Board member of Opportunity Music Project and a Career Coach at Columbia Business School.
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