JR deSouza
Former Director eCommerce and New Distribution Channels for Disney Company
Former Senior Product Manager for TiVO
 

Mr. deSouza is a brand-builder.  Specializing in innovative digital content distribution, J.R. divided a celebrated career between Silicon Valley and Hollywood.  Simply put, Mr. deSouza forged a dominant reputation by delivering explosive growth for industry powerhouses such as  Disney, Samsung, TiVo, & Philips.

Mr. deSouza was the Director of eCommerce and New Distribution Channels for the Walt Disney Company. While at Disney, Mr. deSouza helped to build an entirely original product segment within the child electronics market space. Mr. deSouza's wizardry transformed digital content creators into incremental sources of revenue. The benefits of Mr. deSouza’s efforts reverberate through Disney Studios, Disney Records, & Disney Interactive Game Studios to this day.

Prior to being sought out by Disney, Mr. deSouza was Digital Video Products Marketing and Sales Manager for Samsung Electronics. Mr. deSouza was part and parcel of the strategy that placed the Samsung brand on the map, doubling his division’s business and leapfrogging competitors in both launch timing and market share. One of the primary innovators of the very first High Definition Up-Converting DVD player (the HD931), Mr. deSouza helped to create a completely new consumer electronics category - and a line now adopted by every major competitor.

Prior to Samsung, Mr. deSouza distinguished himself as the original product manager for TiVo, the DVR pioneer. As Senior Product Marketing Manager, he worked with the founding team to define TiVo’s legendary features.  Mr. deSouza and team launched the product, established the brand, and defined the TiVo as the de facto standard.

While Product Manager at Philips Electronics, Mr. deSouza partnered with industry giants Microsoft & Intel to develop digital convergence products.  In 1997, Mr. deSouza put the 1st computer on the cover of Home Theater Magazine.  During this time, he was instrumental in the creation of a unique and market changing remote control – the Pronto. From research and development to launch, Mr. deSouza maneuvered Pronto into a phenomenon. Characterized by astounding sales growth, multiple model expansions, and a global network of online users, the Pronto brand continues to enjoy success over a decade later.

Seeking fresh challenges, Mr. deSouza has accepted the role of Vice President of Business Development for MaximumTV. He now drives content acquisition and business development for this trailblazer of Hispanic TV and broadband content for the U.S. market.

A native of Brazil, Mr. deSouza moved to the United States in 1986, pursuing elite training and competition in swimming. Winning numerous national titles and holding national records in both countries, Mr. deSouza also became a two-time World Record Holder in 1993, a Gold & Bronze medalist at the 1993 World Championships, and a two-time Olympic finalist at the 1992 Barcelona Games in Spain.

Mr. deSouza earned a BA undergraduate degree in Environment Management as a College Scholar and an MBA at the University of Tennessee with an emphasis on Marketing and Finance.

Mr. deSouza brings expertise in brand crafting and marketing, along with a passion for environmental technologies, to both Thinkubator and its portfolio holdings.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• World Record Holder and World Champion, Swimming - 1993 World Championships
   
• Two-time Olympic finalist, 100 Butterfly & 400 Freestyle Relay - 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games
   
• Disney Inventor Award (Patent Awarded) - Educational Interface for Musical Instruments, 2008
   
• Waterproofing Patent for Cameras & Electronic Equipment - OUTEX, 2009