Company Launches
Aspire Entertainment: Mark Ciardi has launched a new production company, Aspire Entertainment. The shingle will focus on developing film as well as multi-platform aspirational content. Chairman William Chang, and co-founders Tom Duterme and Ash Vasudevan will join Ciardi in the new venture.
Blue Ribbon Studios: Warner Bros. has launched a new digital production studio, Blue Ribbon Studios. President Sam Register will head the venture and Andrew Mellett has been named Senior Vice President, Distribution & Strategy. The studio will develop and produce animated and live action series for digital platforms. The slate includes original content as well as series based on the DC Universe.
Heretic Literary Management: Jeff Portnoy has launched a new literary management company, Heretic Literary Management.
LEIBO: Jason Leibovitch has launched a new management and production company, LEIBO.
Orchard Farm Productions: Mila Kunis has launched a new television production company, Orchard Farm Productions. Manager Susan Curtis and producers Cami Curtis and Lisa Sterbakov are joining her at the new venture. The company will be based at ABC Studios where they have a first look deal. Orchard Farm will produce series for cable and broadcast television.
Pancho Pictures: Pancho Mansfield has launched a new television production shingle, Pancho Pictures. Elizabeth Bubriski will also join as Manager, Development.
Patriot Artists Agency: Veteran music agents Stephen Brush and Terry Rhodes have launched a new agency, Patriot Artists Agency.
Schneider Global Strategy: ABC News head of PR Jeffrey Schnieder is departing to launch his own public relations firm, Schneider Global Strategy. The new company will handle media relations and crisis management.
Vandal Entertainment: Navid McIllhargey has launched a new film and television production company, Vandal Entertainment. McIllhargey has launched with financial backing from German companies Film House Germany AG and Summerstorm Entertainment. McIllhargey hopes to produce two to three projects a year with his financial backers.
Studios, Networks, and Media Conglomerates
ABC News: Julie Townsend has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Communications.
CBS Entertainment: Colin Studebaker has been promoted to Manager, Comedy Development.
Film
BAFTA: Emma Baehr has joined as Director of Awards. Jim Bradshaw has been named Head of Film. Bradley Down has been named Awards Officer.
Bold Films: Lisa Zambri has joined as Senior Vice President, Production & Development.
The Safran Company: Joan Mao has been promoted to Vice President, Development & Production.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures: Tendo Nagenda has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Production.
Television
7Wonder: Steve Condie has joined as Head, Specialist Factual.
Al Roker Entertainment: Maria Paone has joined as Vice President, Branded Content.
Big Beach TV: Erin Keating has joined as West Coast Executive.
Bunim/Murray Productions: Rob Bagshaw has joined as Senior Vice President, Development & Production.
Carnival Films: Alexandra Sapot has joined as Vice President, Drama Programming.
Cinema Gypsy: JP Sarni has joined as Head, Television.
Layer3 TV: Lindsay Gardner has joined as Chair, Content Advisory Board.
National Geographic Studios: Jeff Hasler has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Development & Production.
PBS: Don Wilcox has joined as Vice President, Digital Marketing & Services.
ProSiebenSat.1: Koby Gal-Raday has joined asSenior Vice President, International Co-Productions & Documentaries.
See-Saw Films: Hakan Kousetta has joined as Chief Operating Officer. Patrick Walters has joined as Development Executive, Television.
Twenty Twenty: Emma Willis has joined as Creative Director.
Zodiak Media: Nathan Gibbs has joined as Group Head, Format Acquisitions.
Agencies, Management Companies, Public Relations, and Law Firms
Gersh: Ian Greenstein has joined as co-Head, TV Literary.
Hawthorne Direct: John Pucci has been name Chief Marketing & Creative Officer.
ICM: Rich Green has joined as Agent, Media Rights.
Paradigm: Jennifer Good has joined as Agent, TV Literary.
Rain Management Group: Stephen Marks has joined as Manager, Literary.
UTA: Shauna Perlman has been promoted to Agent, TV Talent.
Cable
Discovery Family: Sarah T. Davies has joined as Vice President, Production & Development.
FX: Jesse Hiestand has joined as Director of Corporate Communications.
Fusion: Boris Gartner has joined as Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer.
IFC: Sachi Ezura has joined as Director, Original Programming. Christine Lubrano has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Original Programming. Maura Madden has joined as Vice President, Original Programming. Jeff Meyerson has joined as Vice President, Original Programming. Ken Vitale has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Brand Marketing.
Spike TV: David Phillips has been named Vice President, Brand Marketing & Creative. Anhelo Reyes has joined as Vice President, Brand Marketing & Activation.
TVGN: Pam Bertino has joined as Senior Vice President, Content Distribution.
Digital
Digital Domain: Joanna Capitano has been named Vice President, Features. Daniel Seah has been named Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Domain Group.
Legendary Digital: Cory Lanier has been named Manager, Development & Production.
Modern VideoFilm: Scott Avila has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer. Cooper Crouse has been named President. Roxanna Sassanian has been named Chief Financial Officer.
Music
Sony/ATV Music Publishing: Rich Christina has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Head, East Coast A&R.
Advertising
Jump/Cut Creative: Brandon Schaefer has been named Creative Director, Print Division