Steve Baron

Advising consumer technology, AI, and digital platform companies on pre-launch product strategy, applied AI, and go-to-market execution. Engagements include pre-launch product reviews for a publicly traded consumer electronics brand, product strategy and response-quality work for a widely used AI assistant (supervised fine-tuning and RAG), and product strategy for a category-leading AI product at a global technology company.

Built and led the digital product organization that launched FOX Weather, Fox Corporation's first new editorial brand in two decades. Drove FOX Weather to #1 on the US App Store at launch — outranking TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram — through advanced App Store Optimization and a pre-order campaign that generated 250K pre-orders. Launched the full mobile, web, livestream, and VOD portfolio in six months, including mobile 3D radar and an API infrastructure handling ~1B requests per month at peak. Built SEO and content distribution strategy across Google News, Apple News, Yahoo News, and partner channels, achieving 80% YoY SEO-optimized growth. Awarded a Webby for Visual Storytelling in 2023.

Recruited as digital product and transformation subject-matter expert for North America's leading nonprofit trade association serving local TV, radio, and newspaper companies. Directed corporate strategy, transformation projects, and partnership development; advised member companies on roadmaps for digital transformation, product investment, and operating-model change.

Joined post-Tribune acquisition under a retention package to guide digital integration and operational alignment across the nation's largest local TV broadcaster (200+ stations, ~70% of US TV households). Managed a $10M+ operating budget and the post-acquisition integration of Tribune and Nexstar digital capabilities, teams, and vendor relationships. Led change management across 30+ external partner transitions; achieved 100% retention of digital teams through the transition.

Ran a global org of 12 direct reports and 150+ team members spanning product, engineering, content, analytics, and platform. Unified 40+ local TV station websites into a single national platform reaching 100M monthly uniques — the largest local-media digital network in the country at the time. Owned the migration from a proprietary Rails CMS to WordPress VIP, reducing costs by ~80% while improving scalability. Served as product owner for news and weather apps across the portfolio, integrating video, ad-tech, mobile, OTT, and AI/ML capabilities. Tribune was sold to Nexstar in 2019 in a $7.2B transaction. President of the Board, Covers Media Group (2017–2019); Board Member, Dose Media (2017–2019).

Recruited at startup phase to lead digital content, technology products, and operations for a private-equity-backed local TV group on a $5M+ annual budget. Built the first live-video-focused weather app with 2× faster push notifications than competitors. Developed a customized WordPress CMS powering web, mobile, AVOD, streaming, and connected-platform ecosystems across the station group. Local TV, LLC was sold to Tribune Media in 2013 for $2.7B — one of the largest local broadcast group transactions of the decade.

First digital leadership role after a decade in broadcast. Based at FOX32 Chicago with product and editorial influence across Fox digital properties nationwide. Hired and led a five-member editorial and product operations team. Launched Fox Chicago's first website, achieving 250% traffic growth in its first year and establishing the model for subsequent station digital builds.

On-camera meteorologist and reporter for Salt Lake City audiences for nearly a decade. Built deep expertise in live communication, breaking-news operations, and audience trust at a top-50 market station. Earned an Emmy Award for Breaking News Coverage in 2006.

Broadcast meteorologist and news reporter for the South Bend / Mishawaka / Elkhart market.

First broadcast role. Weather anchor, field reporter, and on-the-ground photographer covering north central Florida.