Company Launches & Partnerships
USA Network has changed their tagline and brand image to “We the Bold”. “’We The Bold’ reflects the kind of stories we want to tell – rich, captivating stories about unlikely heroes who defy the status quo, push boundaries and are willing to risk everything for what they believe in,” said Chris McCumber, President, Entertainment Networks, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment.
WGA East and Vice Media have completed a tentative agreement on their first contract. Vice’s estimated 70 covered staffers will vote next week to ratify the deal. The deal includes an economic package worth 29% over three years, protections on the current health insurance offered employees, protections for employees to engage in non-Vice work, compensatory time off when employees work on days off, guaranteed severance pay and monthly meetings to discuss workplace issues.
Nylon Media is now partnered with UTA. Nylon is a beauty and pop culture content producer that targets Millennial women. In light of the deal, Jamie Elden has been named the new President and Chief Revenue Officer and will oversee all of Nylon’s operations from its offices in New York and Los Angeles. He was previously the Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Entertainment at Media General’s Federated Media.
Paul Hilepo is closing the Hatig Hilepo Agency at the end of this month. Hileopo will leverage his 25-years of experience as an agent to launch a new management company, PH Entertainment Group. Long-term clients Laverne Cox, Ken Leung Phyllis Somerville, Debbi Morgan, Samrat Chakrabarti, will also make the move. Hilepo will also develop and produce projects for his clients.
Al Jazeera America has officially closed. The network started in 2012 with the acquisition of Current TV, but suffered from low viewership and allegations of management bias against women and Israel. In a memo, President Kate O’Brian and CEO Al Antsey said of the news, “Al Jazeera America has the most talented and diverse team any media organization could wish for…We all know good journalism is critical. It ensures information is reliable, and can be trusted. Good journalism doesn’t mean opinion or spin. It is a responsibility which every media organization should carry with determination and resolve. We are proud to have done so since our first to our final moment on air.”
President Obama has officially supported the FCC’s plan to give independent manufacturers of set top boxes alternatives to cable and satellite company deals. The decision will allow Consumers to own their own set top boxes instead of lease them. Consumers now pay $20 billion to rent or lease boxes, up 185 percent 20 years ago, noted the White House, while the prices for TVs, computers and mobile phones have declined by 90 percent.
The Weather Co. is launching of a new interactive presentation tool, Max Connect, and adding virtual sets to the company’s AR solution, Max Reality. With Max Connect presenters can interact with AR elements in real time without having to turn their back to the audience, which is what tends to happen when they are using more cumbersome tools like hand tracking or a touch screen. The virtual sets can be easily integrated into a station’s existing workflow.
Film
Daniel Battsek has been named the Director at Film4 (London, as of July 2016). He was previously the President at Cohen Media Group.
Spencer Beighley has been hired as a Development Executive at Grand Electric. He was previously the Creative Executive at Appian Way.
Evan Langweiler has been upped from the Senior Director to the VP of Global Communications at Universal Pictures. Jenny Tartikoff has been named the SVP of Global Communications at Universal Pictures (as of May 2016). She was formerly the SVP of Rubenstein Communications.
Jonah Leach has been upped from Coordinator to Manager of Acquisitions & Co-Productions at Lionsgate.
Ildi Toth Davy has been named the EVP of Sales & Acquisitions at Evolutionary Films (London). Ildi was formerly the SVP of Sales & Acquisitions at Odin’s Eye.
Angela Emery has been named the VP of Communications, Brand Development at Universal Pictures. She was formerly the Senior Director of Global Brand Communications at Mattel.
Naomi Funabashi is now a Creative Executive at Mandeville Films. She was formerly a Coordinator at HeyDay Films.
Ruzanna Kegeyan has been named the EVP of Sales & Acquisitions at Arclight Films. She was formerly the President at Synchronicity Entertainment.
Mark Padilla has been upped from VP of Worldwide Sales & Distribution to the SVP of Sales & Acquisitions at Double Dutch International.
TV
Hanan Abdelaa has been named the Director of Development at 51 Minds Entertainment. She was formerly a Development Manager and Talent Executive at Endemol Shine North America. Elyse Adams has been upped from Manager of Current Programming to the Director of Current Productions at 51 Minds Entertainment. Tricia Biggio has been named the VP of Current Productions. She was formerly the Senior Director of Development & Production at VH1. Chris Kinsella has been upped from VP to the SVP of Development. Jessica Bofshever has been upped form Director of Development to the VP of Development at 51 Minds. Andrew Jacobson has been upped from Director of Development to the Head of Branded Entertainment.
Joe D’Ambrosia has been upped from VP to the SVP of Original Programming at Disney Junior.
Hugh Fitzpatrick has been named the VP of Scripted Development & Production at National Geographic Channel. He was previously the Head of Television at Teakwood Lane.
Danielle Claman Gelber has been named a Producer at Claman Gelber Productions. She was formerly the EVP and Head, Development at Wolf Entertainment.
Polly Hill has been named the Head of Drama at ITV in London. She was formerly the Controller of Drama Commissioning at BBC.
Sergei Kuharsky has been named the SVP of Strategy & Business Development at BBC Worldwide North America in New York. He was previously the General Manager of Food Network.
Gregory R. Little has been named the SVP of Content at Rainmaker Entertainment. He was previously the Executive Producer and Head of U.S. Operations at Brown Bag Films.
Jason Matthews has been named the VP of Research at GSN. He was previously the VP of Research & Audience Development at Ovation TV.
Christoph Pachler has been named the EVP, CFO at Critical Content. He was previously the EVP, CFO at Playboy Enterprises.
Blake Tohana has been named the CFO at 9 Story Media Group in Toronto. He was previously the CFO at Tricon Films & Television.
Management, PR, Agencies
Liz Rosier will be joining Rosier Artist Management as a Manager. She leaves her post as an agent at the now shuttered Hatig Hilepo Agency.
Will Douglas is now a Talent Manager at Grandview. He was previously a Talent Agent at Paradigm.
Kimberly Hines has been brought onto Abrams Artists Agency as a Theatrical Agent. She joins the bi-coastal team, based in Abrams Artists Agency’s Los Angeles headquarters. Previously, Hines started her career at CAA and worked as a Manager at 3 Arts. Her clients include Balthazar Getty, William Forsythe, Gina Gershon and Costa Ronin.
John Hossenlopp has been named the Director of Voice-Over/New Business Development at CESD in New York. He was previously the Partner of Voice-Over/Commercial Talent at Atlas Talent Agency. Nate Zeitz has been upped from Agent to the VP of Radio Imaging/TV Affiliates at CESD.
Nick Leicht has been named a Talent & Literary Manager at The Green Room. He was previously a Talent & Literary Agent at Don Buchwald & Associates.
Kevin Parker is now a Talent & Literary Manager at Principato Young Entertainment. He was previously a Producer and Talent & Literary Manager at Rain Management Group.
Sam Wick has been named the Executive of Digital Media at UTA. He was previously the EVP & General Manager, Enterprise at Maker Studios.
Andy Zumberge has been named a Concert Agent at APA. He was previously the Associate Agent of Music at The Agency Group.
Upon the news of Hatig Hilepo Agency closing, Agent Peter Sanfilippo announced he will be leaving to pursue new opportunities as an agent.
Music, Digital, Publishing, Misc.
Nate Lemmerman has been named the VP of Corporate Development, Cast & Crew Entertainment Services. He was previously the VP, Wasserman Media Group.
Jorge Mejia has been upped from EVP to the President of Latin America & U.S. Latin at Sony/ATV Music Publishing (Miami).
Ty Roberts has been named the SVP, Chief Technology Officer at Universal Music Group (as of April 25th, 2016). He was previously the Chief Strategy Officer and General Manager of Music at Gracenote.