Company Launches & Partnerships
Newsy, the millennial-oriented digital news network has partnered with TV broadcaster Raycom Media: Raycom. In the deal, Newsy content will be featured across its nearly 40 owned and operated linear channels, as well as all of its digital platforms.
Jeremy Holley and Laura Hutfless have founded FlyteVu and are Principals of the company. FlyteVu is a full-service marketing agency that connects brands and, ultimately, consumers with music and artists. Jeremy was previously the SVP of Consumer & Interactive Marketing at Warner Bros. Records. Laura was formerly an Agent in Music Brand Partnerships at CAA. Whitney Byerly is now an Account Manager at FlyteVu in Nashville. She was formerly an Assistant in Music Brand Partnerships at CAA.
Red Arrow Entertainment Group, an entertainment company owned by German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1, has launched digital media company Ripple Entertainment. Former FremantleMedia North America execs, Gayle Gilman (CEO) and Jason Ziemianski (CRO) have signed on to the new venture as CEO and CRO respectively.
The British Film Institute (BFI) has launched its diversity fund Three Ticks, with the dedicated aim to increase diversity representation in front of and behind the camera, to open on November 2. The fund will have an initial investment pool of $1.5 million to fund development, production, distribution and audience development. 15 features have already received been funded through Three Ticks, which was initially launched in pilot form back in September last year.
Rick Benattar and Nigel Thomas have launched feature and TV production company, Benattar/Thomas Productions. The new shingle will focus on innovative and commercially driven material across a range of budgets and genres. Benattar was previously an executive at Lorimar, Angry Films and Thunder Road. Thomas founded the UK-based Matador Pictures in 1999 and has produced more than 70 feature and TV films. The new company already has three films in an output deal with XLrator Media that have completed shooting and are slated for 2016 release.
Conde Nast has acquired Pitchfork Media, a website with an editorial focus on music news and reviews.
The women’s lifestyle-centric multi-channel network Kin Community – whose talent roster includes, among others, YouTube megastar Hannah Hart has launched Kin Network Distribution to release Kin videos to Twitter, Facebook, Amazon, Scripps’ Ulive platform, and linear TV. Sarah Passes has been hired to lead the division. She previously worked in the digital division of Creative Artists Agency.
Liberty Global, the international cable company chaired by John Malone, has paid $10.8 million for a stake in Bigballs Media, the parent of Copa90, a YouTube channel focusing on soccer fans. The deal values Bigballs at $76 million and also gives Liberty Global the option of increasing its stake in six months.
Film
Jeremy Chilnick has been promoted to the role of COO at Morgan Spurlock’s Warrior Poets. He was an original staffer of the company when it opened in 2004, starting as an assistant. Prior to this new role he was a Partner and Head of Production. In his new position he will oversee all aspects of film, television and digital development, all internal productions, and content delivery.
David Linde is now the CEO at Participant Media. He was previously the Founder of CEO at Lava Bear Films.
Tyler Mitchell is now the SVP of Motion Pictures at Imagine Entertainment. He was previously a Partner at Landscape Entertainment.
Robert Walak is now pursuing other opportunities. He was previously the President and Managing Director for Europe in Production, Acquisitions & Television at The Weinstein Company.
Brian O’Rourke has announced his retirement for March 2016 from his post as the CFO at the Directors Guild of America. Joan Sumpter will take over in the role. She was formerly the VP of Finance & Administration at Fulfillment Fund
Adam Ainley has been upped from VP to SVP of Finance at Shout! Factory. Kathy Callahan has been upped from Associate VP to VP of Special Market Sales & eCommerce at Shout! Factory. John Rotella has been upped from VP to SVP of Sales. Arlene Shapiro has been upped from Associate VP to VP of Royalties.
Shaun Barber has been upped from SVP to the EVP and General Sales Manager of Domestic Theatrical Distribution at Lionsgate.
Rowan Riley has been named the VP of Development and Production at Burn Later Productions, an independent film finance and production company. She was previously at Anonymous Content, where she was closely involved with The End Of The Tour and Quarry, among other titles. She’s also a Sundance Producing Lab fellow as well as a member of Cinefamily’s Creative Advisory Board.
Christian de Gallegos is now the President at Green-Light International. He was previously the President at International Film Trust.
TV
Karen Leever has been named the EVP and General Manager of Digital Media at Discovery Communications. Previously, Leever served as Head of Digital and Direct Sales at DirecTV. At Discovery, she takes over for Sean Atkins, who became MTV’s President in September.
Danny Cohen will begin pursuing other opportunities in December 2015 after he leaves his post as Director of Television at BBC.
Steve Elliott has been named the VP of Branded Entertainment Development at Comedy Central. He was previously the Creative Director at Pilot.
Stuart Murphy is leaving his post as Director of Entertainment Channels at Sky Entertainment Channels after six and a half years at the company and transitioning into a production deal with Sky Vision to write, direct and develop comedy and drama projects. During his time as Director, Murphy oversaw channels Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Arts and Sky Living, as well as overseeing the comedy, drama, factual and entertainment commissioning teams. He is a board member of the History channels, Jupiter Productions and is involved with virtual reality company Jaunt.
Jamie Friend has been upped from VP of Corporate Strategy & Insights to CEO, EMEA at Turner Broadcasting System.
Steve Elliott has been named the VP of Branded Development at Comedy Central. In the newly created role, Elliot will oversee branded creation, including episodes, specials, short-form, and social media content for Comedy Centeral’s pages. Formerly, Elliott served as Creative Director at the production companies Pilot and Triple Double.
Tina Exarhos is leaving her post as EVP of Marketing at Creative at MTV to be succeeded by Joe Ortiz, SVP Strategy & Creative, MTV On-Air Promotions. Exarhos previously oversaw all marketing and creative development for MTV, including short-form interstitial content, visual packaging, digital and social marketing, and consumer and trade advertising. Dan Fierman has been named the VP and Editorial Director at MTV News. He was previously the Editorial Director for Grantland where he oversaw the production of acclaimed digital content that, among other things, garnered ESPN multiple Webby nominations.
Chris Goble has been named the SVP of TV Production and Development at Automatik. He was previously a Literary Manager at Grandview. Though separate companies, Grandview and Automatik are partnered together.
Bryan Terry has been named the VP of Development & Programming at truTV. He was previously an Executive Producer at Off the Bat from the MLB Fan Cave.
Darcy Tomlin has been named the VP of Programming & Operations at Discovery Networks International. She was formerly the Senior Director of Programming at Velocity.
Bridget Wiley has been promoted from SVP of Current Programming to EVP at CBS Entertainment and CBS Television Studios. Wiley takes over for Glenn Geller who held the position for two years before being promoted to president of CBS Entertainment last month, replacing outgoing chairman Nina Tassler. Wiley will lead creative affairs for all scripted series on CBS as well as series produced by CBS TV for other networks and streaming services. Additionally, VP Current Programs Amy Reisenbach has been promoted to SVP and will handle all series produced by CBS TV Studios for the CW while continuing to work on several CBS shows, including NCIS.
Lesley Cerwin has been upped from VP to SVP of Entertainment Publicity at NBC Entertainment.
Michael Serafini has been named the VP of Programming at DHX Television. He was previously the Interim Executive Director of Content Planning at CBC Television.
Management, PR, Agencies
Robert Koch is now a Partner at Hansen Jacobson. He was previously a Partner at Jackoway Tyerman.
Margo Liden is now the Agent in Global Branded Entertainment at ICM Partners. She was formerly an Account Executive at Mulholland Drive Entertainment.
Kylie MacKenzie is now an Agent, Commercials & Theatrical at Artistic Talent Agency. He was formerly the Head of Commercials at elev8.
Glen Mastroberte is now Counsel to Latham & Watkins. He was previously the Attorney at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan.
Brian Speiser has been upped from Agent to VP of Alternative & Factual Programming at APA.
Adam Weinstein is now a Partner, Motion Picture Literary at Verve. He was previously the Agent in Motion Picture Literary at Verve.
Music, Digital, Publishing, Misc.
Adam Lewison has been named the SVP of Programming, Marketing and Operations at Crackle, Sony’s OTT service. In his new role, he will oversee content acquisition and scheduling, and lead the company’s marketing efforts. Most recently, Lewison served as SVP of Programming and Production at FX Networks.
Gregory Strompolos has been named the Director of Business Development at the social live streaming platform YouNow. Strompolos will be responsible for forging content partnerships with figures in the entertainment industry. Most recently, he worked as Senior Manager of International Networks at Fullscreen.
Jennifer Salant has been named the VP of Business Development at Conde Nast Entertainment, Conde Nast’s branded video division. Salant will oversee syndication and distribution strategy for the company’s digital video network. Previously, Salant was an SVP at the digital media company Mode Media.
Jeremy Barrett is now an Executive Producer at Wondros. He previously founded Paydirt Pictures.
Mark Caplan has been upped from VP to SVP of Global Consumer Products at Sony Pictures Consumer Products.
Thao Hoang is now the SVP of Business Development at Defy Media. He was previously the VP of Content Distribution at Viacom Media Networks. Alex Lin is now the Director of Development at Defy Media. He was previously the Manager of Comedy Development at NBC Entertainment. Christopher Willey is now the VP of Development, he was previously the Head of Development of Digital Networks at Condé Nast Entertainment.
Marcus Wiley is now pursuing other opportunities. He was previously the Head of Program Planning & Development at Snapchat.