Company Launches
TV software services company SeaChange International bought Timeline Labs for $22 million in cash and shares, with an additional $2.5 million in possible additional stock payouts based on performance. Timeline and SeaChange announced NewCoin recently, an initiative to measure local TV ratings, through a joint venture that also includes Fox TV Stations, Univision and Tribune Media.
Producer Mark Gordon is splitting with ABC Studios. Gordon has set up the next phase for the Mark Gordon Company, teaming with Entertainment One to create an independent studio that will finance and produce film, network, cable, and digital content, which eOne will distribute internationally. Gordon will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the venture, which will finance projects produced by him as well as other producers.
Charles King has left William Morris Endeavor to form MACRO, a startup that will focus on developing content for multicultural audiences. MACRO will focus on developing and distributing feature films, TV series and digital content targeting African-American, Latino and multicultural markets. Steve Richards, a 19-year veteran of Silver Pictures, has left to start Endurance Media. The company kicks off with a $250 million financing structure to produce and finance films in the $20 million-$60 million range. Writer-director-producer Rick Bieber and financier Ken Clark have joined forces to form Minds I Cinema, an indie film production company. Their first project is the demonic love story The Other, which Bieber wrote and will direct. Former IMG Sports and Entertainment prexy George Pyne launched Bruin Sports Capital, a global marketing venture backed by an investment of $250 million. Family Christian Stores, the nation’s largest Christian retail chain, is going Hollywood. Rick Jackson, the chain’s entrepreneur, has formed Family Christian Entertainment. The company will produce two films per year, and starts off by teaming with Emmett Furla Oasis to produce 90 Minutes In Heaven.
Studios, Networks, Conglomerates
Marketing exec JP Richards has stepped into his new post leading digital marketing at Warner Bros., after a stint at Universal, where he oversaw digital campaigns for Pitch Perfect, the Purge movies, and the Fast & Furious franchise. He’ll report to WB’s EVP Worldwide Marketing Blair Rich.Film
After a stellar summer for 20th Century Fox, Kieran Breen has been upped to President of International Marketing. Breen has served as Fox International's EVP, International Marketing since 2006 and has been with the studio since 2000. Angela and Catherine Paura joined Alcon Entertainment as co-presidents of worldwide marketing. The sisters come from their partnership in Capstone Global Marketing & Research Group - a marketing research and consulting firm. Catherine co-founded and served as CEO of marketing research firm Nielsen NRG. Anglea, formerly NRG's COO, worked with Alcon on such releases as The Blind Side and Dolphin Tale.
Financier-producer of The Imitation Game, Black Bear Pictures is expanding. President/CEO Teddy Schwarzman named as president and COO Dan Steinman, the longtime vet of the CAA Film Finance Group. Steinman will be based in New York, as Gotham-based Schwarzman moves to Los Angeles to start an outpost there.
Television
Discovery Channel president Rich Ross announced that he’s named HBO vet John Hoffman as Executive Vice President of Documentaries and Specials. Discovery Channel has also tapped John Goldwyn as an executive producer for scripted programming. Goldwyn most recently served as executive producer for the series Gracepoint for Shine America and Fox, and is known for his work producing Showtime’s Dexter.
Warner Bros Domestic TV Distribution promoted David Decker to EVP Cable & SVOD Sales. He will replace Tom Cerio, who is retiring from his daily EVP duties at the end of March, but will remain with the company in a sales consultancy role. Benjamin “BJ” Elias, who played a major role in expanding Fox Networks’ TV Everywhere apps and sites, has been upped to SVP Distribution of the division. He was previously VP Distribution, Advanced Services. Elias will oversee Fox Networks’ distribution of new media products and services including TV Everywhere, over-the-top television, VOD and interactive TV.
Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews will be Senior Vice President, News Administration at CBS News. Tim Gaughan becomes Vice President, News Gathering. Former ABC Family President Michael Riley returns to Los Angeles with a new post as President and CEO of Southern California’s independent TV station KCETLink.
Agencies, Management Companies, Marketing, Public Relations, Law Firms
Kyle Luker, a founding member of The Group Entertainment, has left to join Industry Entertainment. He’s bringing his client list with him, including Krysten Ritter (co-managed with Steve Caserta), Patrick Heusinger, Gillian Alexy, Josh Salatin, Ryann Redmond, Liza Bennett and Marnie Schulenburg.
PGA nominated John Lesher is joining LBI Entertainment, the management/production company founded by Rick Yorn, Ian Montone and Dave Baram, with Julie Yorn running the production business.