Charles Rivkin joins the on-demand public
mobility company as it continues to expand its global footprint
July 9, 2019 (NEW YORK)— Via, the leading provider and developer of on-demand public mobility solutions, announced today that Charles H. Rivkin has been appointed to its Board of Directors. Rivkin is the Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and has more than 30 years of experience as a media executive and leading U.S. diplomat.
“We are delighted to welcome Charles to our board,” said Daniel
Ramot, co-founder and CEO of Via. “Charles’ extensive experience leading global
organizations and being at the forefront of international policy will be a
pivotal resource as Via continues its rapid worldwide expansion.”
“I am honored to join Via as its first independent director,” said Rivkin. “Daniel and Oren have built an extraordinary company and I look forward to supporting their vision to bring a truly dynamic mass transit system to the world.”
Rivkin currently leads the MPAA’s global mission to advance the business
interests of the film, television, and streaming content industry. Drawing on
almost three decades of experience as a media executive and a senior U.S.
diplomat, Rivkin advocates for policies that: drive investment in, and protect,
creative content; open new markets; and champion the economic and cultural
power of this dynamic sector around the world.
“Charles’ deep government affairs and public policy expertise will
be incredibly valuable to Via as it partners with cities across the globe to
provide smart, shared mobility solutions that reduce congestion and emissions,”
said Oren Shoval, co-founder and CTO of Via.
“Via’s mission is to help cities and public transit authorities
improve and expand their existing transit systems using advanced technology and
data, and we are thrilled to have Charles’ support,” said Via Board Members Arnon
Dinur of 83North, and Chemi Peres of Pitango Venture Capital.
Prior to joining the MPAA, Rivkin served for almost a decade at
the highest levels of the U.S. government’s diplomatic corps, including as the
U.S. Ambassador to France and Monaco (2009-2013) and later the U.S. Assistant
Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs (2013-2017) at the
Department of State. In this role conducting economic diplomacy, Rivkin led the
State Department bureau responsible for driving U.S. economic growth through
attracting foreign investment and advocating on behalf of American companies
doing business around the world.
This included managing international trade negotiations, intellectual
property rights protections, global internet policy and transportation affairs.
Under his leadership, the office of transportation policy worked with foreign
partners to promote the highest international safety and security standards
underpinning the global transportation system. Rivkin’s bureau was also the
U.S. government interagency lead on international communications and
information policy, which included collaborating with other countries, U.S.
business and civil society to advance a global digital economy that rests on
competitive and secure telecommunication networks.
Before his government service, Rivkin worked in the media and
entertainment sector for more than 20 years including as President and CEO of
award-winning entertainment businesses such as The Jim Henson Company, home to The Muppets.
Rivkin’s record of driving change and leading policy
both in government and in the private sector adds valuable expertise to the Via
board as the company continues to innovate in changing the way people access
cities.
About Via:
Via is re-engineering public
transit, from a rigid system of fixed routes and schedules to a fully dynamic,
on-demand network. Via’s mobile app connects multiple passengers who are headed
the same way, allowing riders to seamlessly share a premium vehicle. First
launched in New York City in September 2013, the Via platform currently
operates in the United States, and in Europe through its joint venture with
Mercedes-Benz Vans, ViaVan. Via’s technology is also deployed worldwide through
partner projects with public transportation agencies, private transit
operators, taxi fleets, private companies, and universities, seamlessly
integrating with public transit infrastructure to provide the most cutting edge
on-demand mobility systems. Via
has more than 70 partnerships with cities and major organizations across 17
countries.