Early Life
Jose Roberto Marinho was born on December 26, 1955, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is the son of Roberto Marinho, the founder of Grupo Globo, Brazil's largest media conglomerate. He studied History at the Pontifical Catholic University in Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) and Geography at the Rio de Janeiro Federal University (UFRJ). He attended the Santo André and Andrews schools before completing his secondary education. After high school, he studied abroad in Canada and then returned to Brazil to further his education. In 1972, he began his career as a reporter at O Globo newspaper, where he covered various topics.
Rise to Success
Marinho's career at Grupo Globo began in the 1970s, working in different roles within the company. He became the vice-president of Grupo Globo and, following his father's death in 2003, inherited control of the media conglomerate. Since then, he has served as the president of Grupo Globo. Under his leadership, Grupo Globo has expanded its reach by launching new television channels, acquiring media properties, and growing its international operations. He also founded CBN, the first Brazilian radio station to broadcast news 24 hours a day. He is also the president of the Roberto Marinho Foundation.
Key Business Strategies
Under José Roberto Marinho's leadership, Grupo Globo has prioritized adapting to the digital era. The company has expanded its digital business by investing in its streaming platform, Globoplay, and by acquiring Eletromidia, which has strengthened Globo’s presence in the outdoor advertising market. Globo focuses on content production and distribution across multiple platforms, including traditional TV, pay-TV, and digital channels. The company has also invested in content revenue, leveraging high-profile events to boost advertising revenues.
Philanthropy
Jose Roberto Marinho is the President of the Roberto Marinho Foundation, a philanthropic arm. The foundation supports numerous educational and cultural projects in Brazil. The foundation has helped create the world's first museum dedicated to Portuguese, as well as museums dedicated to soccer and the future. In the past, he helped to create the Telecurso, a pioneering educational program that provided educational opportunities for millions of Brazilians.
