Saatchi Online, The World's Leading Online Art Gallery, Appoints Veteran Business Executive Sean Moriarty As CEO

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Saatchi Online, the world's leading online art gallery, today announced the appointment of Sean Moriarty, a business leader with deep experience in both consumer and Internet markets, as the company's chief executive officer.  Mr. Moriarty will set the strategic direction and lead day-to-day operations for the company as Saatchi Online seeks to accelerate its growth as a marketplace connecting art buyers and artists from around the world.

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Mr. Moriarty, 43, brings a wealth of applicable experience to his new post.  Most recently, he has served as a business advisor, board member and investor in the technology, media and entertainment industries.  In this role, he has worked closely with startups – including TuneIn.com, Eventbrite and Metacloud – that have gained widespread customer awareness and significant operating momentum in their markets.     

Earlier, Mr. Moriarty spent nine years in top management roles at Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc., the market leader in ticket sales and distribution.  He joined the company in 2000 as executive vice president of product and technology, was named chief operating officer four years later and was appointed president and CEO in 2007.  From 2004 to 2008, Ticketmaster's annual revenue nearly doubled to $1.4 billion.  During his tenure, Mr. Moriarty led a complete revamping of Ticketmaster's technology platform, expanded the company's international presence from seven to 22 countries (including China) and steered an initial public offering of Ticketmaster shares as part of a spinout from parent IAC/InterActiveCorp.

At Saatchi Online (www.saatchionline.com), Mr. Moriarty assumes leadership of a business that is redefining the experience of buying and selling art, a global market valued at $65 billion a year.  "Buying original artwork – particularly at traditional art galleries – is difficult and uncomfortable for many people," he said.  "Saatchi Online is opening up the art buying experience by offering the best and most accessible selection of artwork from around the world and by reducing the friction of the traditional art market."

Added Mr. Moriarty:  "Saatchi Online offers a showcase for emerging artists from all over the world to exhibit their work and sell directly to buyers.  Our mission is to connect people with art and artists they love."

Saatchi Online was launched by London's renowned Saatchi Gallery with the aim of promoting contemporary art by emerging artists from across the globe.  It became an e-commerce business in 2011.  Saatchi Online presents original works of art in an expertly curated environment that welcomes, informs and guides buyers.  It exhibits paintings, drawings, sculpture and photography in a variety of price ranges, shows work by more than 25,000 artists and has buyers in 80 countries. 

The appointment of Mr. Moriarty marks a key inflection point in the growth and evolution of the company.

"Sean is uniquely qualified and exceptionally well suited to take Saatchi Online to the next level of growth and adoption," said Roberto Bonanzinga, a partner at Balderton Capital, an early investor in the online art gallery.  "Sean's executive leadership skills, his business and technology acumen and his feel for contemporary culture are a powerful combination that will serve Saatchi Online exceedingly well."

"Project A is proud to be an early investor in Saatchi Online and to have given the company operational support at an early stage in its growth," said Uwe Horstmann, founding partner and managing director of Project A Ventures, a Berlin-based company builder.  "We look forward to the next phase of Saatchi Online's development under Sean.  He is an inspiring leader who has built great teams at outstanding companies over many years."

In addition to his board roles at TuneIn, Eventbrite and Metacloud, Mr. Moriarty is chairman of Los Angeles-based startup Triton Digital.  He also serves on the board of the non-profit Pat Tillman Foundation.  Mr. Moriarty is a native of western Massachusetts and earned a B.A. degree in English from the University of South Carolina.  He resides in Pasadena, Calif. with his wife and two daughters.   

About Saatchi Online

Saatchi Online is the world's leading online art gallery, connecting people with art and artists they love. Saatchi Online offers an unparalleled selection of paintings, drawings, sculpture and photography in a range of prices, and it provides artists from around the world with an expertly curated environment in which to exhibit and sell their work. Saatchi Online is redefining the experience of buying and selling art by making it easy, convenient and welcoming for both collectors and artists. To discover the world of Saatchi Online, please visit www.saatchionline.com.

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SOURCE Saatchi Online