Company Launches & Partnerships
Production company Citizen Skull Productions has started CSP Management, a management division representing actors, writers, DPs, directors and social media influencers. CSP Management’s goal is to broaden influencers’ digital profiles and assist them cross platforms into film and television. Clients include Sienna Spalding, Nessa Varez and Lynette Cenee.
Time Inc. has launched The Foundry, a new collective that joins editorial and branded content creators under a single group. The Foundry’s first new vertical will be the automotive-centric The Drive, to launch in September. The group will be lead by Mark Ford, Time Inc.’s EVP of Global Advertising Sales.
Swedish media company Modern Times Group has acquired Turtle Entertainment, an e-sports firm based in Germany that hosts numerous gaming leagues in tournaments.
Multi-platform video services provider Vubiquity has acquired Juice Worldwide, an encoding house and digital distributor, out of Toronto. As Juice has preferred vendor status with iTunes, Netflix, Amazon, and Google Play, and other major digital and OTT providers, the deal will give Vubiquity’s media partners to distribute content to all of them. Juice Worldwide will keep its name and retain its CEO, Andrew Buck.
Film
Broad Green Pictures has tapped Alix Madigan to be their head of creative affairs. She previously worked as a staff producer at Anonymous Content, and also had stints at Propaganda Films, Skouras Pictures and Avenue Entertainment. She also currently serves on the board of Film Independent.
Michael Francis will be leaving his post as the Chief Global Brand Officer of DreamWorks Animation, but will remain on as a Consultant.
Jonathan S. Headley has been upped to SVP, Treasurer of The Walt Disney Company. He was previously the SVP, Corporate Finance and Assistant Treasurer.
Anikah McLaren is now the SVP of Production at Fox Searchlight Pictures. She was formerly the VP of Production & Development at Universal Pictures.
David Ansen has been tapped as the Lead Programmer for the Palm Springs International Film Festival. He previously spent four years as Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Film Festival. In his new role he will be tasked with acquiring films for upcoming festivals from U.S.-based distribution outlets and international sales companies. He also will be on the selection committee for films submitted to the festival.
Kelli Konop is now the EVP of Physical Production at Good Universe. She was formerly the EVP of Physical Production at Mandate Pictures.
Jason Seagraves is now the VP of Production & Development at Cross Creek Pictures, he was previously a Production Executive there.
Jack Talley is now the EVP of Physical Distribution at Alchemy. He was previously the EVP at Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
TV
Cara Dellaverson has been tapped by NBC Ent. as their new SVP of Drama Development to report to Pearlena Igbokwe, EVP of Drama Development. She was previously the SVP of Television Development and Current Programming at Lionsgate, where she oversaw the launch of ABC’s Nashville and Orange Is The New Black.
Authentic Entertainment has revealed its new executive team structure. Michael Bouson will now serve as their COO, promoted from Executive in Charge of Production and SVP of Production & Operations. Nneka Enurah now holds the title of Director of Digital & Communications at Authentic Entertainment. She was formerly a Manager of Development there. Paul Halperin now holds the title of SVP of Finance & Risk Management. He was previously the SVP of Business Affairs. Mark LaFleur is now a Creative Director at Authentic Entertainment. He was previously the Senior Director and DP. Doug Mirabello is now the SVP of Development, up from Director of Development. Paul O’Malley is now the VP of Development; he was previously the VP of Casting & Talent at Authentic. Will Pisnieski is now the CTO and Head of Post-Production, promoted from his title of SVP. Patrick Stringer is now the VP of Broadcast Operations, up from Director. Jeff Weaver is now the SVP of Current Programming. He was previously an Executive Producer and Showrunner for the company. Carolyn Yamazaki is now the VP of Business & Legal, she was promoted from Counsel.
Jon Adler now holds the title of Director of Development at CNN, up from Associate Director.
Kerri Clark now holds the title of VP and Assistant General Counsel at Legal & Business Affairs, Content Distribution at Turner Broadcasting System. She was formerly Senior Counsel, Content Distribution at Turner Broadcasting System.
The Jackal Group has promoted Dani Gorin to the role of Director of Development, Television, up from Manager of Development. In her new position, Gorin expands her responsibilities to strategically identify scripted television projects across cable, broadcast, comedy and drama to be developed by the company. She will also help oversee the development and production of all television projects in the company’s pipeline.
Max Kisbye has been promoted from VP to SVP of TV Production & Development at MGM Television. Lindsay Sloane is now the EVP of TV Production & Development at MGM Television. She was formerly the SVP of Head of Television at TriStar Productions. Nathan Taylor is now the Director of Development at MGM Television, up from Creative Executive. Rob Hochberg now holds the title of Creative Executive at MGM Television, up from Executive Assistant.
Cameron Larson is now the VP of Original Programming at Crown Media Family Networks. She was formerly a Writer, Producer at Aviator Entertainment.
Jennifer O’Connell is now pursuing other opportunities. She was formerly the Head of U.S. Television at CORE Media Group.
Philip Matthys has been named the Head of Business Affairs, Original Series at Hulu. He was previously the SVP and Head of Business Affairs at USA, Syfy, and Universal Cable Productions.
Entertainment One Television has upped Jeff Lynas from SVP, Operations & Business Development to Chief Operating Officer and will report directly to CEO John Morayniss. In his new role, Lynas will handle all day-to-day operations for eOne Television on a global basis and continue in his business development capacity, establishing and structuring new business relationships for eOne Television across production, distribution and digital. Polly Williams is now the Head of Drama at Entertainment One and Creative England Television Drama Venture. She was formerly a Development Director at Sally Head Productions.
Jenny Ramirez is now the SVP of Development at Irwin Entertainment. She was formerly the VP of Development & Production, CORE Media Group.
Jon Rutherford is now the President of Distribution at Temple Street Productions. He was previously the EVP of Distribution & Business Development at Tricon Films & Television.
Bryan Seabury is now the SVP of Drama Development at CBS Entertainment, up from VP.
Management, PR, Agencies
Daniel Martinez has been upped from VP to EVP of Brand & Entertainment Marketing at PMK-BNC. Joanne Melzer has been promoted from VP to SVP of Insights & Analytics at PMK-BNC.
Lori Swift is now a Manager, Talent at Sweet 180. She was formerly an Agent, Talent and Head of New York Office at Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates.
Tony Wang is now a Partner at O’Melveny & Myers. He was previously a Partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges.
Music, Digital, Publishing, Misc.
Michael Goldfine, CMO at YouTube MCN Fullscreen has left the company to work on future projects. Together, Polly Auritt as their new VP of Scripted Content and Katy Chen as their VP of Unscripted Development will fill that role. Auritt previously served as MTV’s VP of Scripted Series Development; Chen comes from Awesomeness TV, where she was the Director of Development.
Cynthia Rapp has been named the SVP, Global Creative, Consumer Products at 20th Century Fox. She was formerly the CMO of Stila Cosmetics.
Amol Jadhav has been named the VP of Global Expansion at The Weather Company. He was previously the Head of Global Platform at Ebates.
Funny or Die has hired Owen Burke as their Editor-in-Chief. He previously was the EP of Funny or Die-produced The Chris Gethard Show for Fusion and ran the TV department for Will Ferrell and Adam McKay‘s Gary Sanchez Productions. The company also named Chris Bruss as President of Digital Content. Bruss started with the company in 2009, serving as VP of Branded Entertainment.
Jon Carvill has been named the VP of Communications at Vevo. Prior to that, he served as VP of Corporate Communications at billion-dollar tech startup Globalfoundries.
Andrew Goldman has been named the Chief Strategy Officer at TVtibi. He was previously the VP of Programming Strategy & Planning at HBO.
Global experiential marketing and eSports agency NCompass International, has tapped Brent Koning, formerly of Microsoft, to oversee all gaming and global partnerships for NCompass and will work out of the Seattle office, headed up by SVP Ryan Fitzpatrick. They’ve also hired Aaron Miller, formerly of George P. Johnson, as VP of Innovation and will report to SVP Matt Mayer, in the Los Angeles office.
Melissa Boag has been named the SVP of Kids & Family Entertainment at Shout! Factory. She was upped from VP of Kids & Family Entertainment. Tom Chen has been named the VP of Publicity at Shout!, up from Associate VP of Publicity & Corporate Communications. Jordan Fields has likewise been promoted from Associate VP of Acquisitions to VP. David McIntosh has been upped from VP to SVP of Business Affairs & Digital Distribution.
Kate Hart has been promoted to Director of Development at Think Tank Management & Production. She was formerly one of their Creative Executives.