ION Video Lands Steve Jobs Protégé to Drive Silicon Valley Commercial Push
A Silicon Valley heavyweight joins ION’s advisory board
ION Video (ASX: IOV) has appointed Kelli Richards, a former Apple executive mentored directly by Steve Jobs for over 30 years, as the first member of its newly established Advisory Board, effective 15 May 2026. Richards is President and Chief Connections Officer of The All Access Group LLC, a Silicon Valley-based advisory practice focused on media, technology and innovation businesses.
The appointment comes as ION progresses its commercial strategy for its patented video virtualisation technology. The company holds four foundational patents protecting its ability to transform static video files into programmable data at the file architecture level, without transcoding.
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Who is Kelli Richards?
Richards’ career spans decades at the intersection of technology, media and entertainment. As a former Apple executive, she was responsible for launching Apple’s earliest music and entertainment initiatives and built a network that reaches the highest levels of the global technology, media and entertainment industries.
The Steve Jobs endorsement, which has become one of the most cited validations of her standing in Silicon Valley, speaks directly to her reputation as a strategic thinker:
Steve Jobs
“Kelli has a knack for seeing possibilities others don’t, and for seeing around corners as a visionary.”
Richards has also been explicit about why she accepted the ION appointment. Her familiarity with the company’s underlying technology stretches back to 2009, when she first encountered Fin O’Hanlon’s vision. In her own words:
Kelli Richards, Advisory Board Member, ION Video
“As a visionary innovator myself, and the person responsible for launching Apple’s earliest music and entertainment initiatives, I’ve always been at the forefront of the convergence of the media and tech worlds. I have known Fin O’Hanlon for many years and have followed the evolution of the underlying technology that now forms the basis of ION’s platform. In 2009, the market was too early to align with his vision, generative AI had not yet become the mass market force multiplier it has become just in the past few years. It’s my personal view that this technology is a powerful tool and a gamechanger for media and tech firms.”
What the advisory board is designed to do
ION’s Advisory Board is a non-governance strategic body, meaning members are not directors of the company and hold no authority to act on its behalf or participate in Board decision-making. It was established specifically to support ION’s commercialisation strategy.
The Advisory Board is intended to provide:
- Strategic guidance regarding industry positioning and commercial engagement
- Access to relevant industry networks and introductions
- Sector-specific expertise relevant to ION’s target markets
ION intends to appoint additional members over time across selected industry verticals aligned with its commercial objectives.
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Advisory board structure and engagement terms
The material terms of Richards’ engagement are structured to align her incentives directly with commercial outcomes, with no upfront cash cost to the company.
| Term | Detail | Notes | Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial term | 12 months from 15 May 2026 | Either party may terminate on 60 days’ written notice | Advisory Agreement with The All Access Group LLC |
| Equity incentive | 202,224 unlisted options (nil exercise price) | Vest 12 months from grant date; expire 3 years from grant date | Subject to Board approval |
| Cash retainer | Nil | No cash retainer payable | Equity-aligned incentive only |
| Success fee | 6% of net revenue received in first 12 months of any introduced commercial agreement | Triggered only on binding commercial agreements where introduction is a material contributing factor; does not apply to capital raising | Success-based framework |
The structure means ION carries no cash retainer obligation. The 6% introduction fee is payable only where Richards introduces a third party that subsequently enters into a binding commercial agreement with ION, and where the Board determines the introduction was a material contributing factor.
CEO’s view on the appointment
Anthony Baker, Chief Executive Officer, ION Video
“Kelli brings deep experience across the technology, media and entertainment sectors together with longstanding industry relationships developed over many years in Silicon Valley. We are pleased to welcome her as the first member of ION’s Advisory Board and look forward to working with her as we continue to progress the Company’s commercial strategy.”
The appointment reflects ION’s focus on engaging prospective enterprise customers, strategic partners and industry participants on a global basis as it advances its commercial strategy.
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