Dmitry Shapiro CEO Profile

Dmitry Shapiro, CEO Veoh Networks www.veoh.com


By Emily Nesselroad

Dmitry Shapiro is a recognized thought leader and visionary in electronic communications, peer-to-peer networking, online community, and computer security.

EN: Tell me a little about how you started Veoh - your inspiration for the company.

DS: Veoh has been an idea mulling around in my mind for quite some time. I have always felt a great desire to make an impact in the media space, as I firmly believe that media, specifically television, is the most powerful communications medium of all time. Because of this I believe that such a powerful medium should not be under the stringent control of a limited number of people (Television Networks, Cable/Satellite companies, etc.) Veoh was built to democratize television broadcasting, allowing anyone in the world with a computer and an Internet connection to become a television broadcaster. Veoh does for television what the World Wide Web did for print publishing, and just as profoundly Veoh will change everything in our lives, from entertainment to education to politics.

EN: As you see it, how does Veoh fit into the attention deficit workplace?

DS: Veoh is perhaps a poster child for attention deficit workplace. We are a company of many simultaneous projects, instant messaging, email, blackberries, treos, wikis, blogs, etc. Dealing with so much information is becoming more and more difficult and really understanding how to deal with these distractions becomes critical.

EN: There is great technology at your disposal to enhance the speed of communication, but do you ever feel burdened by it? How?

DS: All the time, but we live in a competitive society, so it is either embrace or die. I now find it difficult to get through a one hour meeting without having to field phone calls, instant messages, or urgent emails.

EN: You have spent a good part of your professional career in the tech world, what product/invention has revolutionized the way you do your job currently?

DS: Clearly the Internet has changed everything, but there are lots of other technologies that have become key as well. Blogs, RSS Readers, Blackberry, Verizon Wireless PCMCIA cards, etc.

EN: How do you think Veoh can be utilized in the professional world, outside of the television and film industry?

DS: Veoh will be used by political parties to reach their constituents on a continuous basis, able to deliver in depth discussion on platforms and agendas. Veoh will be utilized by industry to deliver pre-sales productorials as well as post sales video user guides. The applications for Veoh are as wide as the applications for the World Wide Web.

EN: What distinguishes your technology from Apple’s release of video and T.V. capabilities on iTunes?

DS: Veoh allows everyone in the world to broadcast FULL SCREEN TV-QUALITY video to the masses, without cost, without geographical restrictions, and without heavy handed regulations. Apple’s system is a directory for mostly short-form videos, which must still be served from user’s own servers. What this means is that if someone’s show becomes popular on Apple, the user will get a gigantic bill in the mail from their ISP, as all of the content comes from their servers. Veoh hosts large video files for broadcasters, eliminating this type of a situation. Veoh utilizes a proprietary P2P technology to make this possible.

EN: What do you want the public to know about Veoh?

DS: Veoh is the place where individuals as well as studios can broadcast their own TV Channel. Veoh has over 12,000 videos available for watching right now, and growing every hour. Veoh has enough videos to completely fill up your video iPod, free of charge. Veoh is working on making television a truly democratized medium, bringing diversity, choice, and truth to television. If successful, Veoh will change every part of our lives. In your opinion, what’s the next big thing in the future of communication technology? Teleportation. I am waiting for it with bated breath! On a more practical note, I am a big fan of Web 2.0 philosophies.

EN: What is one strategy that you use to sustain productivity, despite a ceaseless number of demands on your schedule?

DS: That’s a tough one, and I am not sure that I have mastered it yet. I find that I just work more, and have definitely learned to type much faster than I used to. Hiring an assistant is definitely a necessity. As an entrepreneur, you’ve experienced the highs and lows of starting your own companies, what factors have kept you motivated and positive?

1. This is as bad as it gets, so the future must be brighter
2. There’s got to be someone in the venture capital world that understands what I am doing.

EN: What advise would you give today’s attention deficit executive?

DS: Learn to interview, learn to delegate, trust the people that you hire, make tough decisions often, learn to type faster, learn to carry on 5 IM conversations simultaneously, stay away from golf as it will eat up all of your productive time, if money is available, take it. Don’t worry about Series A valuations or losing control of your company, it is not a baby it is a company, read blogs, write a blog, get an RSS reader, hire an assistant, use interns, believe in grassroots viral marketing. Once in a while, drink some alcohol or whatever else gets you relaxed, and reflect on how crazy your life is, and how much you actually enjoy this craziness. The day that you stop enjoying it, retire!


Dmitry Shapiro’s Official Bio:
Dmitry Shapiro is a world recognized thought leader and visionary in electronic communications, peer-to-peer networking, online community, and computer security. Mr. Shapiro is a frequent speaker at major technology and business events, and is widely quoted in the press, including InfoWorld, PCWorld, Computer World, eWeek, Internet World, and other publications.

Prior to founding Veoh Networks in 2004, Mr. Shapiro founded Akonix Systems, Inc. Under his vision and leadership, Akonix Systems pioneered the technologies that are now standard corporate requirements for IM and P2P management.

Prior to founding Akonix, Mr. Shapiro led technology development for CollegeClub.com, at that time the world's largest community of college students, which provided innovative real-time communications to its community of over four million users.

Before CollegeClub.com, Mr. Shapiro led the Internet technology group at Fujitsu Business Communication Systems and was a key player in Fujitsu's systems engineering team.

He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

In his spare time, Mr. Shapiro is a hobbyist videographer, activist, and philanthropist.