Biography
Otto Padron is President and COO of Meruelo Media, the fastest growing Minority owned Media Company in California. Otto's mass media experience; leadership skills and vision were instrumental in the reorganization and expansion of Meruelo Media in 2012. Today, Meruelo Media stands as one of the most diverse media companies in the Nation with four key broadcast properties in Los Angeles, California. Its broadcast portfolio holds some of the most institutional brands in the LA market. The oldest independent Spanish language TV station in the U.S., KWHY-TV 22 and its combo full power sister station, KBEH-TV 63. These properties are joined by legendary old school Hip Hop FM radio station KDAY 93.5 FM and one of the most iconic rhythmic stations in the Los Angeles market - Power 106. In 2014, Otto led the design and construction of the new Meruelo Media multi-million-dollar Broadcast and Studio Center in Los Angeles, California (www.meruelostudios.com).
Before joining the Meruelo Media team, Otto was Senior Vice President of Programming for Univision Television Network, the leading Spanish language Network in the U.S. Otto is the only executive to have successfully headed programming for both major US Spanish language networks, Univision and Telemundo. His unique media background brings a rich perspective and matchless insight of the Hispanic viewer profile, content and cultural preferences to any project. As a shaping member of these powerhouse brands, Otto skillfully blended solution-based ideas with a value-oriented management style driven by bottom-line results. During his +20 year tenure programming these competitive networks, Otto developed a keen understanding of relevant entertainment formats and has established a reputation for delivering winning results through production excellence and flawless execution.
Otto assumed various positions of growing responsibility culminating as Senior VP, Programming and Promotions. He directly managed all domestic entertainment productions, operations, on-air promotions and key positioning and branding strategies. Overall, he was responsible for the management of a yearly domestic production budget of $150 million and supervised a team of over 300 employees. Moreover, he managed the programming aspects of the content agreements with Televisa (Mexico), Venevision (Venezuela) and RCN (Colombia), as well as the networks general entertainment domestic productions. Otto is a Colonel with over 35 years of military service in the US Army Reserve. He's an Infantry officer with a distinguished service record in some of the most demanding active duty units in the Army. Today, he commands the 1st Brigade of the Pacific Division in Garden Grove, California. For his achievements, Otto was featured and recognized in a U.S. Army Strong campaign as one of America's top Hispanic leaders. Otto holds a Master's degree from the distinguished Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Among his most notable awards, Otto has a Bronze Star Medal, a Ranger tab and the Combat Infantryman Badge for valor in combat. (Army Strong Campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQXIYnIzTBk)
Otto is a member of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce board and is also the Vice President Commissioner on the City of Los Angeles Convention Center and Tourism Development Board. He is married to Mexican actress, Angelica Vale and has four children. He holds a double Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Communications and Economics from the University of Miami, Coral Gables and is a Worlds Ahead Graduate of Florida International University's Chapman School of Business and holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration.
