Former Chairman and CEO, AOL Time Warner
Gerald M. Levin is the former CEO of AOL Time Warner Inc., the world's first Internet-powered media and communications company, whose industry-leading business includes interactive services, cable systems, publishing, music, networks and filmed entertainment.
As CEO, Levin was in charge of all the company's businesses and divisions. He also served on AOL Time Warner's Board of Directors. As CEO of AOL Time Warner, Levin put in place a management structure built around the company's critical growth drivers. He led the rapid integration of AOL Time Warner and positioned the company to capitalize quickly on the immense growth opportunities in the converging Internet, communications and media industries. A recognised pioneer in the development and deployment of interactive media, Levin served as Chairman and CEO of Time Warner, Inc. and was a leading architect of the historic merger of AOL Time Warner in 2001. Before that, he helped build the corporate giant as the prime mover of the Time Inc. and Warner Communications merger in 1990 and Time Warner's merger with Turner Broadcasting System in 1996. Under Levin's leadership, Time Warner achieved its status as a world-class, blue-chip company by building on the best corporate and divisional management in the media and entertainment industry and on gold-standard brands in every product category. Time Warner also developed the strong values that infused all of the company's activities while achieving the size, financial strength and disciplined strategic plan necessary to bring a superior return to its shareholders. Levin became CEO of Time Warner in December 1992 after being named President and Co-CEO. He had previously been COO and Vice Chairman of Time Warner, a position he attained when Time Inc. merged with Warner Communications Inc. At Time Inc., Levin was named Vice Chairman and elected to the Time Inc. Board of Directors. Levin joined Time Inc. in 1972 when Home Box Office, the company's pay-cable subsidiary, was in its developmental phase. He served as HBO's Vice President of Programming, was named its President and CEO and was promoted to Chairman. Levin made the historic 1975 decision to distribute Home Box Office via satellite, which helped create the modern cable industry. Previously, Levin was an attorney with the New York City firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and had been affiliated with Development and Resources Corporation, an international investment and management company, where he became General Manager and COO. Following that company's acquisition by International Basic Economy Corporation (IBEC), he served for a year as IBEC’s representative in Tehran, Iran. Levin graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Haverford College and received a legal degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was note editor of the Law Review. He has received honorary degrees from the University of Vermont, Texas College, Middlebury College, the University of Denver and Haverford College. He is also former Chairman of the Board of Haverford College. Levin previously served as a Director of the New York Stock Exchange, he also has served as a member of the Board and Treasurer of the New York Philharmonic; a member of the Council of International Advisers to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong; the Board of the National Cable Television Center and Museum, The Aspen Institute and The Museum of Jewish Heritage-A Living Memorial to the Holocaust; Trustee Emeritus of Hampshire College; a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, The Trilateral Commission and the Economic Club of New York.
