Studio71, the multichannel network of the ProSiebenSat.1 Group, has signed a global partnership with comedy producer Just For Laughs Group to help expand its online presence. Studio71 and Just For Laughs Group will develop new digital content initiatives under the Just For Laughs brand, including co-producing content from its Montreal Just for Laughs Festival in July, as well as focus on content optimization and securing advertising brand deals. A leading content producer of stand-up comedy and variety programming, the Just For Laughs Group’s growth is concentrated on four major focal points: comedy festivals, television production, live shows and talent management. Just For Laughs productions have been seen and heard on HBO, FOX, ABC, MTV, TBS, CBC, IFC, W, The CW, RTL, TF1, Comedy Central, Showtime, Hulu, SeeSo, SiriusXM, BBC1, BBC Radio Two, BBC America, TEN Australia, HBO Canada, and The Comedy Network. Its television franchise Just For Laughs Gags has become a household name worldwide, being seen in 135 countries, on 95 airlines, and on its own YouTube channel which has earned more than 5.1 million subscribers and over 2.2 billion views. Just For Laughs joins Studio71’s network of influencers including multi-talented comedic entertainer Lilly Singh a.k.a. IISuperwomanII, Harley Morenstein’s Epic Meal Time and Rhett and Link. Studio71 oversees everything from merchandise to branded series, to series development, and has worked with major brands including Aeropostale, Coca-Cola, Dunkin Donuts, Estee Lauder, Nissan, Wendy’s and Verizon. Studio71 has become a launching pad for content creators to build a larger audience, gain premium advertising and distribute their ideas across platforms….
Hybrid post facility Cognition has appointed Reid Burns as president of postproduction. With experience in executive, creative and operational roles, and a track record for spurring growth, Burns will seek to build relationships with studios, independent producers, filmmakers and the broader production community. His initial focus will be on growing the company’s digital intermediate finishing and color grading business. Burns’ background includes senior positions with Reliance MediaWorks and Fotokem. Most recently, he served as sr. VP of Mexico City post house Labodigital. Cognition is nearing completion of a multi-million dollar expansion of its creative campus in Hollywood, Calif., that will include the addition of two 4K digital cinema finishing theaters, a scalable visual effects pipeline, creative office space and an emerging technologies research facility. Among Burns’ first tasks will be to add to the facility’s DI staff. New hires are expected to include a sr. DI producer, DI colorist and a business development specialist….
Sinners and Saints Adds Apple Pie To Its Branded Menu
Bicoastal Sinners and Saints--the multidisciplinary studio overseen by managing director/executive producer Heather Heller, and partners/EPs Yann Henric and Thomas Carroll--has added Apple Pie Tabletop to its roster for branded content. Known for its food and beverage content creation, Apple Pie comprises the husband-and-wife team of director/DP Gene Dubin and director/art director Alisa Volodina. In addition to representation, the move expands Apple Pie’s production capabilities through the combination of its centrally located full-service studio in New York and a newly established mobile studio in Los Angeles. Apple Pie recently teamed with Sinners and Saints on a Wienerschnitzel project created by Innocean.
“We believe that our dual studio strategy positions us uniquely in the competitive landscape of food and beverage storytelling,” said Heller. “By blending the artistry of the New York studio with the flexibility of our Los Angeles location, we can tailor our productions to meet the unique demands of each project, regardless of geography.”
“Working with Sinners and Saints in the demanding field of tabletop was an absolute pleasure,” shared Apple Pie Tabletop in a joint statement. “Warm welcome, unwavering support and dedication--everything a director can ask for. The entire experience was both enjoyable and rewarding. We will not miss an opportunity to collaborate with them again.”
“The first thing you notice is that Apple Pie has beautiful work,” Heller observed. “Having worked with them, I can say that Gene and Alisa are extremely meticulous and detail-oriented; their combination of talent and agility appeals to agencies and clients.” Also appealing to Heller is Apple Pie Tabletop’s brisk international... Read More