John Kotsaftis

Current

CEO at DStv Online

Past

CIO Internet & Head of SWAT at Naspers
GM Product Development at 24.com
GM Innovation Zone at MIH Group

Managing Director at Easycounting Limited
Development Manager at Cable & Wireless
Various Roles at Shell
Senior Consultant at Accenture (Andersen Consulting)
Software Developer and Database Administrator at Saftainer Transport Logistics

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Education

Rhodes University
University of Cape Town

Recommended

4 people have recommended John

Connections

268 connections

Industry

Internet

Websites

John Kotsaftis’s Summary

Online strategist & CEO across multiple mediums of internet, mobile and TV in a global media company with a strong technology focus in developing markets.

At DStv Online, focused on providing premium sports and entertainment content over Video on Demand and DTH platforms.

Integrating online strategies with TV and "lean-back" viewing experiences on multiple hardware platforms from set-top boxes to gaming consoles.

I am looking for technologists and content experts on new mediums.

John Kotsaftis’s Specialties:

Internet Strategy, Product Strategy & Development, Innovation, VOD

John Kotsaftis’s Experience

CEO

DStv Online

(Public Company; NPSN; Broadcast Media industry)

May 2009 — Present (7 months)

DStv Online is a new business formed out of the MNET, Supersport, DSTV Interactive TV and Rugbyzone new media divisions of Multichoice.
CIO Internet & Head of SWAT

Naspers

(Internet industry)

July 2006 — April 2009 (2 years 10 months)

In this role, I helped drive the global Internet/Mobile product strategy and development at Naspers - MIH, identifying future product trends and emerging technologies. I also founded a Global Internet/Mobile Product Development Unit within Naspers called SWAT (Strategic Worldwide Applications & Technologies).

I was also involved in M&A activities in the Internet sector, working with startups as well mature businesses.
GM Product Development

24.com

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Information Technology and Services industry)

November 2005 — June 2006 (8 months)

In Charge of Product Deveopment for the www.24.com portal (South Africa's largest portal).
GM Innovation Zone

MIH Group

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; MIHL; Information Technology and Services industry)

September 2003 — October 2005 (2 years 2 months)

GM of the first Internet Product Incubator of the MIH group
Managing Director

Easycounting Limited

(Information Technology and Services industry)

2000 — 2003 (3 years )

Invented an online accounting system in 1999 which formed the basis of a product called Easycounting WebLink.
Development Manager

Cable & Wireless

(Public Company; CW.L; Telecommunications industry)

March 1999 — December 1999 (10 months)

Consulted to Cable & wireless Global Markets on telecommunications OSS and BSS systems for their top 50 blue-chip customers.
Various Roles

Shell

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; RDS; Oil & Energy industry)

1996 — March 1999 (3 years )

Involved in numerous business areas within Shell Southern Africa and Shell International (UK)as a consultant.

Also worked as an implementation consultant with Kalido Ltd which was an organisation that was spun-out of Shell in the UK. Kalido is probably one of the most innovative business intelligence products available.
Senior Consultant

Accenture (Andersen Consulting)

(Public Company; Information Technology and Services industry)

1994 — January 1996 (2 years )

Senior Consultant at Andersen Consulting.
Software Developer and Database Administrator

Saftainer Transport Logistics

(Privately Held; 501-1000 employees; Transportation/Trucking/Railroad industry)

December 1993 — June 1994 (7 months)

John Kotsaftis’s Education

Rhodes University

B.Com Honours , Information Systems , 1994 — 1994

Activities and Societies:

Part-time lecturer
Class Representative
University of Cape Town

B.Com , Information Systems , January 1990 — December 1993

Activities and Societies:

Basketball Team

Additional Information

John Kotsaftis’s Websites:

John Kotsaftis’s Interests:

Internet Mobile technologies Social Media eCommerce new media

John Kotsaftis’s Groups:

Institute of Analysts and Programmers (UK)

Rhodes University
iptv
Online Advertising Professionals
Accenture
Startup Specialists
Cable & Wireless Alumni
Mobilists (Innovators in mobile industry - 3900+ members)
Shell Information Technology International
University of Cape Town Alumni
Shell
Netrepreneurs
Apple fans
Mobile start-ups - 7,000+ members and growing!
Diocesan College (Bishops) Cape Town
Naspers Harvard Program
Social TV - next generation media (Web 2.0, mobile, digital video broadcast, DTV, STB, MHEG, IPTV)