TORONTO — Independent production company New Metric Media (known for the Crave/Hulu hit comedy series Letterkenny) today announced a strategic company-wide reorganization and two key executive hires.
Former Bell Media executive and Crave general manager Jeff Hersh (above, left) has been appointed as New Metric Media’s first chief operating officer. Renowned comedy executive Bill Lundy (right), formerly senior vice-president of production at Pier 21 Films and comedy production executive at Bell Media, has been hired as senior vice-president of comedy. Both will report to Mark Montefiore, New Metric Media’s founder and CEO.
Their hiring comes as the company reorganizes to expand “from an indie production company to a comedy-focused entertainment studio, that aggregates and amplifies premiere global comedy brands through a vertically integrated, franchise-building eco-system across Content Creation, Talent Development & IP, Distribution, Live Entertainment and Merchandise and Licensing,” reads a press release.
In his role as COO, Hersh “will focus on corporate strategy and driving significant strategic growth at New Metric Media via acquisitions, partnerships and raising capital as well as further monetization across all lines of business along with building out the operations to support growth,” the release says.
As senior vice-president of comedy, “Lundy will focus on broadening and strengthening the company’s slate of comedy brands and roster of comedy talent across scripted, sketch and stand up for multiple platforms including television, live entertainment, merchandise and licensing.”
In addition, veteran industry executive and WildBrain co-founder Steven DeNure will continue to serve as strategic advisor to New Metric Media. “DeNure’s vast experience in building content companies parlays well into New Metric Media’s overall strategy to building franchises in the comedy space,” the release says.
“We’re moving into a new and exciting phase of evolution at New Metric Media. This symbiotic approach will offer a rare opportunity for comedy brands to extend farther beyond the original medium they were created for,” said Montefiore, in the release. “The appointments of Jeff and Bill, and collaboration with Steve will provide us with the skills and experience to become a beacon for the best global comedy brands.”
“I am excited to join Mark and the talented New Metric team at this exciting point in the company’s development to help drive its expansion globally, both organically and through acquisitions,” Hersh said. “New Metric is poised for significant growth given the skyrocketing demand for amazing content and its unique position as a multi-platform, multi-monetization, digital-first comedy brand builder.”
In addition to Letterkenny, New Metric Media is the production company behind the upcoming spinoff series Shoresy, as well as CTV’s new comedy series Children Ruin Everything.
The hiring of Hersh and Lundy rounds out New Metric Media’s executive team, which includes: Kara Haflidson, production supervisor and producer, Letterkenny; Beth Iley, director of development and producer, Children Ruin Everything; Marc Feifer, vice-president of finance; and Ryan Keller, vice-president of legal and business affairs.
Photos supplied by New Metric Media.
