Versus, a NY-based creative content company, has unveiled its new original content division, hiring Mark Grande to lead the department.
As head of original content, Grande will lead the company’s strategy and execution of long-form original programming and production. This move further signifies Versus’ strong growth over the last year, and the announcement comes on the heels of the recent news of Alasdair Lloyd-Jones joining the company as its new president and chief marketing officer.
“I have been a fan of Versus’ premium, award-winning work since the company was founded in 2013. When they approached me about launching a new original content division, I was in from the jump,” Grande said. “I’m excited to work with the amazing team at Versus as we expand our portfolio into new areas and work with partners to deliver amazing IP.”
“Developing an original content division has been part of our company roadmap for some time now, and we’re excited to see it come to fruition,” said Samantha Louise, Versus co-founder. “Mark has a proven track record of creating content that resonates with audiences, and his robust experience will be a huge asset in propelling our continued growth.”
Grande brings more than 20 years of content strategy, development and production experience to Versus. Prior to joining the Versus team, he led content at hip-hop legend Nas’ multi-cultural focused entertainment company, Mass Appeal, where he oversaw digital, film, and television programs, executive producing their first ever podcast slate–including one of The Atlantic’s Best Podcasts of 2019, Freaknik: A Discourse On A Paradise Lost–and was instrumental in the launch of their children’s brand MAJR. Prior to that, he led programming and production at Sony Music Entertainment’s original content studio Rumble Yard, helped launch Derek Jeter’s sports media platform The Players’ Tribune, and oversaw film/television development at The Howard Stern Production Company.
Grande’s team has hit the ground running. They recently set up their first original documentary feature at ALLBLK, an AMC Networks-owned streaming platform. They have also secured multiple content partnerships including Feel The Flow, a comedic documentary that will dismantle misconceptions about menstruation around the world with My Entertainment’s premium doc company, One Foot Forward.
In addition to documentaries, Versus has several animated and scripted projects in the works.
Grande and Versus are repped by UTA.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More