• April 27, 2007

Online video-sharing startup Metacafe expanded its sales team this week with two executive hires. Melissa Marra, most recently vice president for eastern sales at CNET Networks' entertainment division, has come on as Metacafe's regional vice president of Eastern and Central sales. Brent Fraser, meanwhile, is coming from Broadband media company Maven Networks, and will now serve as Metacafe's regional vice president of Western Sales.

The new regional vice presidents, based in New York and the San Francisco Bay Area, are part of Metacafe's larger efforts to expand in the highly competitive video-sharing market.

Earlier this year, independent Metacafe--long the focus of acquisition rumors--brought on Bud Colligan, the former head of software maker Macromedia, as its executive chairman. Erik Smith joined as vice president of content and programming.

In addition, Mort Greenberg came on as vice president of sales, and Allyson Campa joined as vice president of marketing. Greenberg came over from IAC Advertising Solutions, an operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp, where he served as vice president of media sales strategy and development. Before joining Metacafe, Campa served as CEO of Bravanta Inc., an online incentive programs company that she founded.

By contrast, Metacafe video-sharing rivals like Revver and Guba have spent the last year shedding staff; Guba co-founder Thomas McInerney recently stepped down as CEO, for example.