Strategy: Last News

Jen Hollingsworth, a longtime entertainment executive most recently COO of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, is the new chief commercial officer at Flawless, a growing firm specialized in generative AI technology for film and television.

Paramount Global today announced a new brand positioning and trade campaign around the tag ‘Popular is Paramount’ to reflect “the company’s indisputable strength in making popular content and content popular for every audience.”

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Adam Driver-starring sci-fi adventure film “65” has been approved for theatrical release in mainland China. It will hit cinemas on March 31, some three weeks after the film began to release in other international territories. The film is branded as a Columbia Pictures title and will be released by the Sony label in most territories. In China, however, all revenue-sharing import titles are officially handled by a state-owned enterprise. The Hollywood studio’s Chinese office theoretically operates in an advisory capacity, though in practice it is likely to be involved in marketing strategy and p&a decisions. The film has a survival-quest narrative. After a catastrophic crash on an unknown planet, pilot Mills (Driver) quickly discovers he’s actually stranded on Earth some 65 million years ago. Now, with only one chance at rescue, Mills and the only other survivor, Koa (Ariana Greenblatt), must make their way across an unknown terrain riddled with dangerous prehistoric creatures in an epic fight to survive.

William Earl Endeavor has made an investment in Asylum Entertainment Group, which is home to a number of production banners focused on unscripted TV series. Asylum’s collection of companies includes the Content Group, Texas Crew Productions, Big City TV, Breaklight Pictures, and Audity. Those banners will become part of Endeavor’s nonscripted content division, led by Rebecca Sanhueza, executive VP of content strategy and development and head of nonscripted content at Endeavor. Asylum CEO Steve Michaels and Jodi Flynn, president of Asylum, will report to Sanhueza. Mark Shapiro, president of Endeavor, called the deal complimentary to its existing assets. Endeavor will provide Asylum with financing and other resources to grow, particularly with international acquisitions.

EXCLUSIVE: Endeavor is putting its money into non-scripted television. The company, which owns WME, IMG and UFC, has acquired Asylum Entertainment Group, the unscripted production company led by Steve Michaels, with plans to “supercharge” its footprint with a major M&A drive.

Golborne High School in Wigan has celebrated attaining ‘Outstanding’ status following a recent visit from Ofsted.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Longtime entertainment and media executives Gail Berman and Jen Wong have joined Imax’s board of directors. “As we continue to diversify and grow the Imax business across platforms and around the world, we continue to bring new expertise onto our board and both Gail and Jen have deep, proven experience across the media and entertainment landscape,” said Rich Gelfond, CEO of Imax.  Berman currently serves as chair and chief executive officer of production company the Jackal Group. Wong is Reddit’s chief operating officer and has previously led digital sales and strategy at PopSugar, AOL and Time Inc.

MACRO announced the completion of an over $90 million minority investment led by BlackRock Alternatives, through the BlackRock Impact Opportunities Fund and funds and accounts managed by BlackRock. Harbourview Equity Partners and funds managed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management also participated in the round, joining the list of MACRO’s investors that also includes Emerson Collective, AMC Networks, Essence Ventures, MNM Creative, Raymond J. McGuire, Anré Williams, Clara Wu and others.

Raquel Leviss is trying desperately to rehab her image right now — but her fellow Vanderpump Rules stars aren’t buying the PR play!!

Angelique Jackson Veteran communications executive Claudia Russo has joined United Talent Agency (UTA) as SVP of corporate communications. Russo joins the global talent, entertainment, sports and marketing company from Verizon Business Markets and previously spent 15 years at Fox Television Stations. She begins in her new role immediately and will relocate to Los Angeles from New York this summer. “As our business continues to grow in size, influence and complexity, Claudia’s deep knowledge and experience with both media relations and investor relations will help us continue to elevate our game as we tell UTA’s story on a global stage,” UTA chief communication officer Richard Siklos, announcing Russo’s hiring.

Not having it. Lala Kent and Katie Maloney slammed Raquel Leviss over her alleged PR strategy in the aftermath of her cheating scandal with Tom Sandoval.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Warner Bros. Discovery, which is struggling with billions of dollars in debt, is willing to pay more money to executives who might be able to help reduce it. The owner of HBO, Discovery Channel and Food Network said Monday in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it would pay out new rewards to CEO David Zaslav, six senior staffers and an unspecified group of others if they could meet certain goals of new generation of free cash flow. “The changes to the Warner Bros. Discovery executive compensation program are designed to further incentivize Company employees, including members of its leadership team and others whose efforts are critical to achieving the key near-term financial objectives of increased free cash flow and reduced leverage,” said WBD board chairman Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr. in a prepared statement.“The WBD board is confident that these additional incentives offer a more competitive package against the backdrop of ongoing industry-wide transformation and economic headwinds, and better position the company to advance core drivers of shareholder value.”

APPOINTMENTSDowntown Music has promoted Manan Vohra to Chief Technology Officer and Harmen Hemmings to VP Product & Services Strategy, both moving up from roles at the music firm’s FUGA division. “Both Manan and Harmen have made unprecedented contributions to the growth and development of FUGA’s technology and strategic services”, says President Pieter Van Rijn. “I am confident they will bring their unparalleled knowledge and experience to the wider Downtown Music group, spearheading our next chapter”.Transgressive has promoted Mike Harounoff to become Associate Director, Senior A&R and Artist Manager.

Naman Ramachandran U.K. commercial broadcaster ITV has hired Alex Pumfrey as director of strategic partnerships, reporting into Martin Goswami, group strategic partnerships and distribution director. Alex Pumfrey, currently CEO of the Film and TV Charity, revealed last week that she was stepping down after almost six years in the role. She will remain in the role through May and join ITV in June. Pumfrey replaces Lynette Kewley, who was director of strategic partnerships and moved over to ITV’s streamer ITVX as director of commercial and propositions last year. At ITV, Pumfrey will be responsible for developing relationships across national media players such as BBC, BT, Sky and Virgin Media and international tech giants including Apple, Amazon and Samsung.

Ange Postecoglou insists Celtic are ready to double down on their domestic dominance with a recruitment drive which has signings already identified for this summer.

The stars of NCIS: Los Angeles are celebrating the end of the long-running show!

Thinus Ferreira Guest Contributor In the chase for scale in streaming, it’s the technology behind NBCUniversal’s Peacock that could be the saving grace for African SVOD service Showmax. Pan-African pay-TV operator MultiChoice revealed on Thursday that it will be relaunching its regional streamer Showmax with Peacock technology. NBCUniversal and the U.K.’s Sky will take a 30% share in a new company that will redevelop and overhaul Showmax for African audiences. Launched in 2015, Showmax has been feeling the intense pressure of lower-priced global streamers like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ scooping up subscribers across the African market. (HBO Max is yet to launch and Paramount is still working on a Paramount+ rollout for the continent.)

King Charles decided to take Frogmore Cottage from Harry and Meghan after he became aware of the prince's comments about stepmother Camilla in his memoir.

K.J. Yossman The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) has announced a host of new appointments, including seven trustees. The new trustees include Miranda Wayland, head of U.K. and Europe creative EDI for Prime Video and Amazon Studios, Labour politician and member of the House of Lords Judith Blake, Oxford University Shakespeare professor Judith Buchanan, Coutts media finance exec Judith Chan, PZ Cussons finance exec Helen Selwood, former CFO Shona Spence and business consultant Caroline Spicer. They join current RADA Council members Lolita Chakrabarti, Chipo Chung, Tim Clark, Paul Clay, Martin Donnelly, Buster Dover, Tanya Moodie, Maxine Peake, John Romeo, Tanya Rose, Tamar Thomas and chair Marcus Ryder.

FIFA came under fire earlier this week for its appointment of supermodel Adriana Lima as its global fan ambassador. The soccer world’s governing body said Lima’s role will be to develop, promote and participate in several initiatives around the world to help grow soccer. "When you get to meet Adriana, you feel right away her warmth, kindness, and how approachable and passionate she is about our game," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a news release.

Last night's Love Island left viewers jaws on the floor as it was revealed that Olivia and Maxwell had been dumped due to a public vote.