Taylor Swift, Timothée Chalamet, Ryan Gosling, Olivia Rodrigo, Barbie, Saltburn, Sydney Sweeney and The Hollywood Reporter are among the nominees for the 28th annual Webby Awards, which honor the best of the internet.
Organizers said they received 13,000 entries from more 70 countries around the world this year, with PBS leading the nominees with 20 mentions, followed by Warner Bros. Discovery (18), Audible (16), Netflix (14), CNN (13), Paramount (11), iHeartMedia (11), The Washington Post (11) and MTV Entertainment (11). Awards are handed out across categories encompassing overall website, video, advertising, media and PR, apps and software, social media, podcast, games and AI, metaverse and virtual.
The Hollywood Reporter landed three noms this year, including best website/mobile site in the category of general desktop and mobile sites, entertainment. THR’s other two noms were for video content, including one for “Drama Actors Roundtable: Pedro Pascal, Evan Peters, Kieran Culkin, Damson Idris & More” (general video, interview/talk show), moderated by Lacey Rose,...
Organizers said they received 13,000 entries from more 70 countries around the world this year, with PBS leading the nominees with 20 mentions, followed by Warner Bros. Discovery (18), Audible (16), Netflix (14), CNN (13), Paramount (11), iHeartMedia (11), The Washington Post (11) and MTV Entertainment (11). Awards are handed out across categories encompassing overall website, video, advertising, media and PR, apps and software, social media, podcast, games and AI, metaverse and virtual.
The Hollywood Reporter landed three noms this year, including best website/mobile site in the category of general desktop and mobile sites, entertainment. THR’s other two noms were for video content, including one for “Drama Actors Roundtable: Pedro Pascal, Evan Peters, Kieran Culkin, Damson Idris & More” (general video, interview/talk show), moderated by Lacey Rose,...
- 4/2/2024
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ABC has recruited “The Home Edit” lifestyle brand founders Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin to host a reboot of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”
The series will continue to focus on home renovations, with the addition of the “Getting Organized with the Home Edit” duo’s organizational expertise. The home-building process will still feature volunteers who construct renovated houses for families who give back to their communities.
Each episode, Teplin and Shearer will meet a family in need of a home renovation. A team of builders, contractors, design experts and more will assist the pair in redesigning the family’s house to better suit their lifestyle and needs. Teplin and Shearer will also parse through the family’s possessions to decide which to keep and which to let go in addition to functional life organizational systems.
Also Read:
‘Get Organized with the Home Edit’ Duo Blows Away Drew Barrymore and Chris Pratt...
The series will continue to focus on home renovations, with the addition of the “Getting Organized with the Home Edit” duo’s organizational expertise. The home-building process will still feature volunteers who construct renovated houses for families who give back to their communities.
Each episode, Teplin and Shearer will meet a family in need of a home renovation. A team of builders, contractors, design experts and more will assist the pair in redesigning the family’s house to better suit their lifestyle and needs. Teplin and Shearer will also parse through the family’s possessions to decide which to keep and which to let go in addition to functional life organizational systems.
Also Read:
‘Get Organized with the Home Edit’ Duo Blows Away Drew Barrymore and Chris Pratt...
- 6/5/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
The female drivers of Formula 1’s F1 Academy will get the docuseries treatment.
Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine is partnering with Formula 1 on the docuseries, which will follow 15 female drivers across all 5 F1 Academy teams. “The docuseries will highlight the drama of the races, as well as the personal stories of these incredible drivers and the teams around them, as they break barriers in one of the most demanding sports in the world,” the logline reads.
It’s a format Formula 1 knows well, with the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive now in its 5th season. The still-untitled F1 Academy docuseries (which also does not yet have a TV or streaming home) will have a format similar to that of the Netflix series. Drive to Survive is sometimes credited with helping to drive interest and awareness in Formula 1.
Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine’s head of unscripted Sara Rea will executive...
Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine is partnering with Formula 1 on the docuseries, which will follow 15 female drivers across all 5 F1 Academy teams. “The docuseries will highlight the drama of the races, as well as the personal stories of these incredible drivers and the teams around them, as they break barriers in one of the most demanding sports in the world,” the logline reads.
It’s a format Formula 1 knows well, with the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive now in its 5th season. The still-untitled F1 Academy docuseries (which also does not yet have a TV or streaming home) will have a format similar to that of the Netflix series. Drive to Survive is sometimes credited with helping to drive interest and awareness in Formula 1.
Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine’s head of unscripted Sara Rea will executive...
- 5/3/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Formula 1 is no stranger to live events, producing dozens of races around the world every year.
But this year, tied to its Miami Grand Prix, the Liberty Media-owned racing competition is trying out a new idea: A live sports, entertainment and business summit.
Called F1 Accelerate, the summit is a collaboration with Custom Events from WSJ, the commercial unit of Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal, and will be held at the Rubell Museum in Miami, Florida on May 4, the day before the Miami Gp begins.
The world of entertainment will be well-represented at the invitation-only summit, with Top Gun: Maverick filmmakers Jerry Bruckheimer and Joseph Kosinski set to discuss their upcoming F1 movie starring Brad Pitt, which will begin production this summer and be distributed by Apple.
In addition, Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden and Managing Director of F1 Academy Susie Wolff will discuss the...
But this year, tied to its Miami Grand Prix, the Liberty Media-owned racing competition is trying out a new idea: A live sports, entertainment and business summit.
Called F1 Accelerate, the summit is a collaboration with Custom Events from WSJ, the commercial unit of Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal, and will be held at the Rubell Museum in Miami, Florida on May 4, the day before the Miami Gp begins.
The world of entertainment will be well-represented at the invitation-only summit, with Top Gun: Maverick filmmakers Jerry Bruckheimer and Joseph Kosinski set to discuss their upcoming F1 movie starring Brad Pitt, which will begin production this summer and be distributed by Apple.
In addition, Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden and Managing Director of F1 Academy Susie Wolff will discuss the...
- 4/24/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Image Source: Getty / NBC
With big hits like "Daisy Jones & The Six" and "Where the Crawdads Sing" to its name, Reese Witherspoon's media company Hello Sunshine has quickly become a formidable force in the entertainment industry. Hello Sunshine isn't Witherspoon's first foray into producing, though - she founded the production company Type A Films in 2000, which went on to produce hits like "Gone Girl" and "Wild." In 2016, she joined forces with Seth Rodsky, Sarah Harden, and Otter Media to launch Hello Sunshine into the stratosphere. The company, which is focused on elevating women's stories, produces movies, TV shows, and documentaries. Witherspoon also curates a monthly book club under the Hello Sunshine name, and many of those books have been turned into onscreen projects - including, most recently, Nikolaj Coster-Waldeau and Jennifer Garner's "The Last Thing He Told Me," which premiered on Apple TV+ on April 14. Ultimately, one...
With big hits like "Daisy Jones & The Six" and "Where the Crawdads Sing" to its name, Reese Witherspoon's media company Hello Sunshine has quickly become a formidable force in the entertainment industry. Hello Sunshine isn't Witherspoon's first foray into producing, though - she founded the production company Type A Films in 2000, which went on to produce hits like "Gone Girl" and "Wild." In 2016, she joined forces with Seth Rodsky, Sarah Harden, and Otter Media to launch Hello Sunshine into the stratosphere. The company, which is focused on elevating women's stories, produces movies, TV shows, and documentaries. Witherspoon also curates a monthly book club under the Hello Sunshine name, and many of those books have been turned into onscreen projects - including, most recently, Nikolaj Coster-Waldeau and Jennifer Garner's "The Last Thing He Told Me," which premiered on Apple TV+ on April 14. Ultimately, one...
- 4/17/2023
- by Eden Arielle Gordon
- Popsugar.com
Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine has tapped Disney television executive Lauren Kisilevsky to lead the build-out and oversee the development and production of movies and series in its Live Action Family, Kids and Young Adult division.
Kisilevsky will serve as executive vice president of live-action family, kids and young adult, reporting to Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden.
“Lauren is an expert developer who has consistently identified quality brand building material and IP for young audiences,” Harden said in a statement. “An incredible collaborator and team player, Lauren has a fantastic track record of developing and executing creatively distinctive projects with strong leadership. As we build out our family and young adult content offerings, we know Lauren will make an incredible addition to Hello Sunshine.”
Also Read:
The Home Edit Founders Say Hello Sunshine Partnership ‘Synergistically Felt Right’
Kisilevsky most recently served as senior vice president of original movies at Disney Branded Television,...
Kisilevsky will serve as executive vice president of live-action family, kids and young adult, reporting to Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden.
“Lauren is an expert developer who has consistently identified quality brand building material and IP for young audiences,” Harden said in a statement. “An incredible collaborator and team player, Lauren has a fantastic track record of developing and executing creatively distinctive projects with strong leadership. As we build out our family and young adult content offerings, we know Lauren will make an incredible addition to Hello Sunshine.”
Also Read:
The Home Edit Founders Say Hello Sunshine Partnership ‘Synergistically Felt Right’
Kisilevsky most recently served as senior vice president of original movies at Disney Branded Television,...
- 3/14/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Lauren Kisilevsky is reuniting with Reese Witherspoon after being hired to oversee live-action family programming at Hello Sunshine.
Kisilevsky, who becomes EVP, Live Action Family, Kids and Young Adult at the Candle Media-backed company, joins from Disney, where she has been SVP, Original Movies, Disney Branded Television.
She previously worked with the Your Place Or Mine star at Type A Films, which was one of Witherspoon’s production precursors to Hello Sunshine.
Reporting to Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden, Kisilevsky will be in charge of building out the division and developing and producing family, kids and young adult live-action movies and series.
The push into live-action family and kids programming comes after the company decided to shut down its animated division last month.
She has spent 13 years at Disney in various roles and has overseen dozens of movies for Disney+ and Disney Branded Television including Disney Channel Original Movies such as Upside-Down Magic,...
Kisilevsky, who becomes EVP, Live Action Family, Kids and Young Adult at the Candle Media-backed company, joins from Disney, where she has been SVP, Original Movies, Disney Branded Television.
She previously worked with the Your Place Or Mine star at Type A Films, which was one of Witherspoon’s production precursors to Hello Sunshine.
Reporting to Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden, Kisilevsky will be in charge of building out the division and developing and producing family, kids and young adult live-action movies and series.
The push into live-action family and kids programming comes after the company decided to shut down its animated division last month.
She has spent 13 years at Disney in various roles and has overseen dozens of movies for Disney+ and Disney Branded Television including Disney Channel Original Movies such as Upside-Down Magic,...
- 3/14/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Months after Reese Witherspoon’s media brand Hello Sunshine acquired The Home Edit, co-founders Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin reflected on the deal, noting that it “synergistically felt right.”
“Hello Sunshine, they’ve been part of our ecosystem for a long time,” Shearer said during a spotlight conversation moderated by CNBC Correspondent Julia Boorstin at TheWrap’s Power Women Summit. She added that the company has been “natural, incredible supportive partners.”
“It evolved from one simple conversation with the CEO Sarah Harden, and the next thing we knew they were great partners,” Shearer said.
Also Read:
Reese Witherspoon-Produced Master-Organization Series From Home Edit Duo Set at Netflix
For a women-lead brand like The Home Edit, Hello Sunshine, which is owned by Candle Media, aims to take on projects that amplify female voices and storytelling, seemed like a perfect match as both a partner, and eventually as an owner.
“The mission...
“Hello Sunshine, they’ve been part of our ecosystem for a long time,” Shearer said during a spotlight conversation moderated by CNBC Correspondent Julia Boorstin at TheWrap’s Power Women Summit. She added that the company has been “natural, incredible supportive partners.”
“It evolved from one simple conversation with the CEO Sarah Harden, and the next thing we knew they were great partners,” Shearer said.
Also Read:
Reese Witherspoon-Produced Master-Organization Series From Home Edit Duo Set at Netflix
For a women-lead brand like The Home Edit, Hello Sunshine, which is owned by Candle Media, aims to take on projects that amplify female voices and storytelling, seemed like a perfect match as both a partner, and eventually as an owner.
“The mission...
- 12/14/2022
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
Welcome home, Goldilocks.
Reese Witherspoon and Sarah Harden’s production company Hello Sunshine and Build-a-Bear Entertainment are partnering to develop a reimagination of the classic children’s story, Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
The movie — which marks the first feature from Hello Sunshine’s kids and animation division — will be a modern take on the classic tale that leans into the title character as a powerful female protagonist.
Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine’s head of kids and animation, Claire Curley, will executive produce the project alongside Build-A-Bear’s Sharon Price John and Foundation Media Partners’ nm1449018 autoPatrick Hughes.
This is the first partnership between Hello Sunshine and Build-a-Bear, the global family-friendly branded toy and entertainment company that’s a division of Foundation Media.
“Over the last 25 years, Build-a-Bear has created a trusted fanbase rooted in family, personal connection, and storytelling with teddy bears,...
Welcome home, Goldilocks.
Reese Witherspoon and Sarah Harden’s production company Hello Sunshine and Build-a-Bear Entertainment are partnering to develop a reimagination of the classic children’s story, Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
The movie — which marks the first feature from Hello Sunshine’s kids and animation division — will be a modern take on the classic tale that leans into the title character as a powerful female protagonist.
Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine’s head of kids and animation, Claire Curley, will executive produce the project alongside Build-A-Bear’s Sharon Price John and Foundation Media Partners’ nm1449018 autoPatrick Hughes.
This is the first partnership between Hello Sunshine and Build-a-Bear, the global family-friendly branded toy and entertainment company that’s a division of Foundation Media.
“Over the last 25 years, Build-a-Bear has created a trusted fanbase rooted in family, personal connection, and storytelling with teddy bears,...
- 10/5/2022
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine is headed for Britain. The Candle Media-owned production company is launching an unscripted division in the UK, and is already developing its first production with terrestrial network Channel 4.
Hello Sunshine Unscripted UK will be led by Sarah Lazenby, a former Channel 4 Head of Features and Formats who left the broadcaster last year. While at the British public service broadcaster, she oversaw major titles such as The Great British Bake Off, Jamie Oliver’s programs and formats such as Flirty Dancing and Netflix co-pro Crazy Delicious. More recently she produced HBO’s Emmy-nominated retrospective special Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.
Lazenby will be Executive Vice President, Unscripted UK and report to Hello Sunshine’s Head of Unscripted Sara Rea. Hello Sunshine last year acquired Rea’s company Skr Productions, which was behind Prime Video’s Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn series Making the Cut.
Hello Sunshine Unscripted UK will be led by Sarah Lazenby, a former Channel 4 Head of Features and Formats who left the broadcaster last year. While at the British public service broadcaster, she oversaw major titles such as The Great British Bake Off, Jamie Oliver’s programs and formats such as Flirty Dancing and Netflix co-pro Crazy Delicious. More recently she produced HBO’s Emmy-nominated retrospective special Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.
Lazenby will be Executive Vice President, Unscripted UK and report to Hello Sunshine’s Head of Unscripted Sara Rea. Hello Sunshine last year acquired Rea’s company Skr Productions, which was behind Prime Video’s Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn series Making the Cut.
- 8/19/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Maureen Polo, who has been an exec at WarnerMedia and Gm of streaming service Fullscreen, has been named head of direct-to-consumer at Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine.
The newly created role will enable the company to continue expanding its content and offerings. Polo will oversee a Dtc portfolio including recent acquisition The Home Edit, plus Reese’s Book Club and Fair Play. She will also be responsible for ramping up Sol.ar, Hello Sunshine’s social agency offering, and pursuing new direct-to-consumer opportunities. She will report directly to Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden.
While “direct-to-consumer” is used as a descriptor in the world of streaming video, it has a much broader meaning in the consumer world. A wide range of brands, from Casper mattresses to Peloton to Smile Direct Club, have disrupted traditional marketing by leveraging digital and social media to gain a customer base without using the usual intermediaries.
The newly created role will enable the company to continue expanding its content and offerings. Polo will oversee a Dtc portfolio including recent acquisition The Home Edit, plus Reese’s Book Club and Fair Play. She will also be responsible for ramping up Sol.ar, Hello Sunshine’s social agency offering, and pursuing new direct-to-consumer opportunities. She will report directly to Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden.
While “direct-to-consumer” is used as a descriptor in the world of streaming video, it has a much broader meaning in the consumer world. A wide range of brands, from Casper mattresses to Peloton to Smile Direct Club, have disrupted traditional marketing by leveraging digital and social media to gain a customer base without using the usual intermediaries.
- 3/1/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Hello Sunshine has elevated six industry executives to new roles at the company. Ashley Strumwasser and Emily Ferenbach have been upped to SVP of Film and TV, Bree Frank to SVP Production, Cynthia Rupeka to SVP of Reese’s Book Club and Direct-to-Consumer Development, Amanda Farrand to SVP of Fair Play, and Nick Williamson to SVP Business Affairs.
“There is no better group of executives that fully exemplify Hello Sunshine’s values, mission and passion for diverse, impactful storytelling centered on women characters,” Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden said. “Their contributions over the years have been invaluable. Each of these individuals brings their own unique insight and expertise to their work and to the company overall. I could not be prouder of them, personally and professionally, for these well-deserved promotions.”
In just a few short years, Hello Sunshine has become one of the most prominent and successful media companies in entertainment,...
“There is no better group of executives that fully exemplify Hello Sunshine’s values, mission and passion for diverse, impactful storytelling centered on women characters,” Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden said. “Their contributions over the years have been invaluable. Each of these individuals brings their own unique insight and expertise to their work and to the company overall. I could not be prouder of them, personally and professionally, for these well-deserved promotions.”
In just a few short years, Hello Sunshine has become one of the most prominent and successful media companies in entertainment,...
- 11/2/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Katy Perry sang “What Makes a Woman.” Amanda Gorman recited “We Rise.” Lorde called for protection of the earth and indigenous peoples. Channing Dungey defined her power as only she could, and Rita Moreno dazzled with her 89-year-young vitality.
Variety‘s Power of Women Presented by Lifetime event on Thursday night was an intimate dinner with a big helping of inspiration for about 300 people from across the entertainment industry, who gathered under the stars on a made-to-order balmy night in Beverly Hills.
The evening, supported by Cadillac as premier sponsor, had plenty of star power thanks to the five honorees who were feted for their accomplishments and philanthropic endeavors. But another big attraction was simply the chance to mix and mingle in an outdoor setting — the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts — with strict Covid protocols in place for Variety‘s first in-person event in more than 18 months.
The...
Variety‘s Power of Women Presented by Lifetime event on Thursday night was an intimate dinner with a big helping of inspiration for about 300 people from across the entertainment industry, who gathered under the stars on a made-to-order balmy night in Beverly Hills.
The evening, supported by Cadillac as premier sponsor, had plenty of star power thanks to the five honorees who were feted for their accomplishments and philanthropic endeavors. But another big attraction was simply the chance to mix and mingle in an outdoor setting — the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts — with strict Covid protocols in place for Variety‘s first in-person event in more than 18 months.
The...
- 10/1/2021
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Kevin Mayer’s and Tom Staggs’s (still) unnamed media company is in talks to acquire Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Media.
Westbrook Media is the production company behind “Cobra Kai,” “Red Table Talk” and the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” drama reboot. Westbrook, which is led by CEO Kosaku Yada and President Tera Hanks, launched in 2019. It sold a dozen shows in 2020.
Should the talks turn into a deal, it’ll be a suitable follow-up to a big splash Mayer and Staggs made last month, when they purchased Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine for $900 million. Hello Sunshine is the production company behind HBO’s “Big Little Lies,” Hulu’s “Little Fires Everywhere” and Apple TV+ series “The Morning Show” — all of which starred Witherspoon. Hello Sunshine is also the home to Reese’s Book Club.
As part of that deal, Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden...
Westbrook Media is the production company behind “Cobra Kai,” “Red Table Talk” and the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” drama reboot. Westbrook, which is led by CEO Kosaku Yada and President Tera Hanks, launched in 2019. It sold a dozen shows in 2020.
Should the talks turn into a deal, it’ll be a suitable follow-up to a big splash Mayer and Staggs made last month, when they purchased Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine for $900 million. Hello Sunshine is the production company behind HBO’s “Big Little Lies,” Hulu’s “Little Fires Everywhere” and Apple TV+ series “The Morning Show” — all of which starred Witherspoon. Hello Sunshine is also the home to Reese’s Book Club.
As part of that deal, Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden...
- 9/13/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Ashton Kutcher will star opposite Reese Witherspoon in the Netflix romcom Your Place or Mine based on the original script by Aline Brosh McKenna who is also making her feature directorial debut on the project.
In Your Place or Mine, two best friends who live on opposite coasts swap homes for a week and see their whole lives change. Deadline first reported about Jason Bateman and Michael Costigan’s Aggregate Films’ deal on the co-production with Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. Bateman and Costigan will produce through their first-look deal with Netflix alongside Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine and McKenna for Lean Machine.
Aggregate’s Ozark series, which Bateman stars in, directed and exec produced, clocked a third season that was watched by 29M households WW in its first four weeks. Ozark counts three Primetime Emmy wins: one for Bateman in 2019 for...
In Your Place or Mine, two best friends who live on opposite coasts swap homes for a week and see their whole lives change. Deadline first reported about Jason Bateman and Michael Costigan’s Aggregate Films’ deal on the co-production with Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. Bateman and Costigan will produce through their first-look deal with Netflix alongside Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine and McKenna for Lean Machine.
Aggregate’s Ozark series, which Bateman stars in, directed and exec produced, clocked a third season that was watched by 29M households WW in its first four weeks. Ozark counts three Primetime Emmy wins: one for Bateman in 2019 for...
- 8/3/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Two blockbuster media deals in announced in May — the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger and Amazon’s $8.45 billion acquisition of MGM — was as clear a sign as any that Hollywood’s next chapter would be defined by big streamers spending big to get even bigger — and, presumably, choking out the competition. Now meet its corollary: A new company led by former Disney execs Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs announced it would acquire a majority stake in Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine — not with an eye toward building a streaming service, but as the cornerstone of a plan to become a streaming-content powerhouse.
The $900 million price tag for Witherspoon’s company sounds insane by Hollywood standards, and it is: That valuation comes from the tech industry, not from studio comps. More importantly, as box-office and Nielsen impact declines as a metric of clout, the Blackstone-backed deal shows there’s room for major TV...
The $900 million price tag for Witherspoon’s company sounds insane by Hollywood standards, and it is: That valuation comes from the tech industry, not from studio comps. More importantly, as box-office and Nielsen impact declines as a metric of clout, the Blackstone-backed deal shows there’s room for major TV...
- 8/3/2021
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
The $900 million acquisition of Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine by private equity giant Blackstone Group is a big step toward the launch of a media holding company that will revolve around the three Cs: content, commerce and community.
Disney alums Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs are guiding Blackstone’s investment in content ventures and will serve as co-CEOs of the unnamed holding company that will house Hello Sunshine and other banners. Mayer and Staggs told Variety on Monday that Hello Sunshine is the exemplar of the kind of production companies that they are shopping for at present.
“We want companies that are producing meaningful, category-defining content brands that resonate with their chosen audiences. We want to do that across multiple audience (sectors),” Mayer said. “There are a lot of those companies out there that would benefit from additional size and scale and to be linked up with like-minded media companies that have must-have content.
Disney alums Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs are guiding Blackstone’s investment in content ventures and will serve as co-CEOs of the unnamed holding company that will house Hello Sunshine and other banners. Mayer and Staggs told Variety on Monday that Hello Sunshine is the exemplar of the kind of production companies that they are shopping for at present.
“We want companies that are producing meaningful, category-defining content brands that resonate with their chosen audiences. We want to do that across multiple audience (sectors),” Mayer said. “There are a lot of those companies out there that would benefit from additional size and scale and to be linked up with like-minded media companies that have must-have content.
- 8/2/2021
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Reese Witherspoon’s media company, Hello Sunshine (Little Fires Everywhere), has been sold to a firm backed by private-equity giant Blackstone Group. Terms are not disclosed. According to the WSJ, which first reported the deal, it values the company at about $900 million.
The new media venture Blackstone is backing will be run by former Walt Disney Co. executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, with Hello Sunshine as its first acquisition. Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden will join the board of the as-yet-unnamed company and will continue to operate Hello Sunshine.
According to the WSJ, Blackstone is spending more than $500 million in cash to purchase shares from existing Hello Sunshine investors, including AT&T and Emerson Collective. Witherspoon and some Hello Sunshine executives and investors will roll over the remaining equity into ownership stakes in the newly formed company.
Witherspoon’s star power and her ability to turn books into...
The new media venture Blackstone is backing will be run by former Walt Disney Co. executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, with Hello Sunshine as its first acquisition. Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden will join the board of the as-yet-unnamed company and will continue to operate Hello Sunshine.
According to the WSJ, Blackstone is spending more than $500 million in cash to purchase shares from existing Hello Sunshine investors, including AT&T and Emerson Collective. Witherspoon and some Hello Sunshine executives and investors will roll over the remaining equity into ownership stakes in the newly formed company.
Witherspoon’s star power and her ability to turn books into...
- 8/2/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine has been sold for north of $900 million to a media company backed by the private-equity firm Blackstone Group Inc.
Witherspoon and Sarah Harden, Hello Sunshine’s CEO, will join the board of the new company and will continue to oversee day-to-day operations. They will also remain significant equity holders.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the news of Hello Sunshine’s sale. The still-unnamed media venture by Blackstone will be run by former Disney executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs.
“Today marks a tremendous moment for Hello Sunshine,” Witherspoon said in a statement. “I started this company to change the way all women are seen in media. Over the past few years, we have watched our mission thrive through books, TV, film and social platforms. Today, we’re taking a huge step forward by partnering with Blackstone, which will enable us to tell even more entertaining,...
Witherspoon and Sarah Harden, Hello Sunshine’s CEO, will join the board of the new company and will continue to oversee day-to-day operations. They will also remain significant equity holders.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the news of Hello Sunshine’s sale. The still-unnamed media venture by Blackstone will be run by former Disney executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs.
“Today marks a tremendous moment for Hello Sunshine,” Witherspoon said in a statement. “I started this company to change the way all women are seen in media. Over the past few years, we have watched our mission thrive through books, TV, film and social platforms. Today, we’re taking a huge step forward by partnering with Blackstone, which will enable us to tell even more entertaining,...
- 8/2/2021
- by Brent Lang and Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Reese Witherspoon’s production company Hello Sunshine is being sold to a media company recently launched by former Disney executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs backed by Blackstone, the companies announced Monday. The price tag is approximately $900 million, two people with knowledge of the deal confirmed to TheWrap
Mayer’s and Staggs’s new company, which does not yet have a name, has the financial backing of Blackstone — but is not the special-purpose acquisition company (Spac) that Mayer and Staggs recently announced.
Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden will join the board of the new entertainment company and continue to operate Hello Sunshine. They and other top executives will maintain an ownership stake in Hello Sunshine.
Hello Sunshine is the production company behind HBO’s “Big Little Lies,” Hulu’s “Little Fires Everywhere” and Apple TV+ series “The Morning Show” — all of which starred Witherspoon. Hello Sunshine is also...
Mayer’s and Staggs’s new company, which does not yet have a name, has the financial backing of Blackstone — but is not the special-purpose acquisition company (Spac) that Mayer and Staggs recently announced.
Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden will join the board of the new entertainment company and continue to operate Hello Sunshine. They and other top executives will maintain an ownership stake in Hello Sunshine.
Hello Sunshine is the production company behind HBO’s “Big Little Lies,” Hulu’s “Little Fires Everywhere” and Apple TV+ series “The Morning Show” — all of which starred Witherspoon. Hello Sunshine is also...
- 8/2/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Hello Sunshine, the media company founded by Reese Witherspoon, has been sold to a new media company led by former Walt Disney Company executives Tom Staggs and Kevin Mayer.
The deal, which is backed by private equity giant Blackstone, values Hello Sunshine at $900 million.
Hello Sunshine is owned by Witherspoon, her husband and former CAA agent Jim Toth and Seth Rodsky, as well as investors AT&T and Laurene Powell Jobs’ Emerson Collective. Witherspoon and CEO Sarah Harden will continue to run the company and remain equity holders. They will also join the board of the new media company.
The company ...
The deal, which is backed by private equity giant Blackstone, values Hello Sunshine at $900 million.
Hello Sunshine is owned by Witherspoon, her husband and former CAA agent Jim Toth and Seth Rodsky, as well as investors AT&T and Laurene Powell Jobs’ Emerson Collective. Witherspoon and CEO Sarah Harden will continue to run the company and remain equity holders. They will also join the board of the new media company.
The company ...
Hello Sunshine, the media company founded by Reese Witherspoon, has been sold to a new media company led by former Walt Disney Company executives Tom Staggs and Kevin Mayer.
The deal, which is backed by private equity giant Blackstone, values Hello Sunshine at $900 million.
Hello Sunshine is owned by Witherspoon, her husband and former CAA agent Jim Toth and Seth Rodsky, as well as investors AT&T and Laurene Powell Jobs’ Emerson Collective. Witherspoon and CEO Sarah Harden will continue to run the company and remain equity holders. They will also join the board of the new media company.
The company ...
The deal, which is backed by private equity giant Blackstone, values Hello Sunshine at $900 million.
Hello Sunshine is owned by Witherspoon, her husband and former CAA agent Jim Toth and Seth Rodsky, as well as investors AT&T and Laurene Powell Jobs’ Emerson Collective. Witherspoon and CEO Sarah Harden will continue to run the company and remain equity holders. They will also join the board of the new media company.
The company ...
Exclusive: Hello Sunshine, co-founded by Reese Witherspoon, has handed promotions to two senior executives. Head of Film and Television Lauren Neustadter has been named President, Film and Television. CFO Liz Jenkins has been upped to Chief Operating Officer.
“It’s hard to truly express how integral Lauren and Liz have been to the success and growth of Hello Sunshine,” Witherspoon said. “Lauren’s passion and purpose for the stories we tell has allowed us to create projects beyond my imagination and to collaborate with strong, skilled, creative, and complex women both in front of and behind the camera. Liz has built our business on every level, most recently leading our expansion into the unscripted space with the acquisition of Skr and she’s an exemplary leader. I am honored to work alongside these phenomenal women whose commitment and drive make the work we do at Hello Sunshine possible.”
Neustadter and...
“It’s hard to truly express how integral Lauren and Liz have been to the success and growth of Hello Sunshine,” Witherspoon said. “Lauren’s passion and purpose for the stories we tell has allowed us to create projects beyond my imagination and to collaborate with strong, skilled, creative, and complex women both in front of and behind the camera. Liz has built our business on every level, most recently leading our expansion into the unscripted space with the acquisition of Skr and she’s an exemplary leader. I am honored to work alongside these phenomenal women whose commitment and drive make the work we do at Hello Sunshine possible.”
Neustadter and...
- 1/13/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine has acquired Sara Rea’s Skr Productions, the company behind Amazon Studio’s “Making the Cut,” and is installing Rea as its head of unscripted television, marking an expansion into the unscripted space.
Rea is most recently known for her work as showrunner on the Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn-hosted “Making the Cut,” which incorporated an e-commerce element that allowed viewers to buy designers’ creations on Amazon Fashion after the premiere of each episode; their series with Amazon Studios followed a major migration from the trio’s nearly decade of work on “Project Runway.” Skr, which was launched in 2014, has also produced “Project Runway Threads,” “Project Runway Junior,” and “The Naked Truth,” among other series.
“Sara has led an incredibly talented team whose values and goals reflect everything we believe in at Hello Sunshine and I’m inspired by all they have accomplished,” said Witherspoon.
Rea is most recently known for her work as showrunner on the Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn-hosted “Making the Cut,” which incorporated an e-commerce element that allowed viewers to buy designers’ creations on Amazon Fashion after the premiere of each episode; their series with Amazon Studios followed a major migration from the trio’s nearly decade of work on “Project Runway.” Skr, which was launched in 2014, has also produced “Project Runway Threads,” “Project Runway Junior,” and “The Naked Truth,” among other series.
“Sara has led an incredibly talented team whose values and goals reflect everything we believe in at Hello Sunshine and I’m inspired by all they have accomplished,” said Witherspoon.
- 12/7/2020
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Hello Sunshine, the production company established by Reese Witherspoon, is doubling down on unscripted TV with the acquisition of Sara Rea’s Skr Productions.
Skr produces Amazon fashion reality series Making the Cut with Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn as well as Project Runway spinoffs such as Project Runway Threads and Project Runway Junior.
Rea, who set up Skr in 2014, will become Head of Unscripted Television for Hello Sunshine following the deal and will bring across her team of execs including Sue Kinkead and Danielle Ghilardi Birckhead, who will become SVP Development and SVP Physical Production & Operations, respectively. Also joining are Tyler O’Neill and Elizabeth Sandroff as Senior Directors of Development.
The move comes as Hello Sunshine steps up its activities in the unscripted world. The company produces Get Organized on Netflix and is making competition series My Kind of Country for Apple TV+.
“Sara has led an incredibly...
Skr produces Amazon fashion reality series Making the Cut with Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn as well as Project Runway spinoffs such as Project Runway Threads and Project Runway Junior.
Rea, who set up Skr in 2014, will become Head of Unscripted Television for Hello Sunshine following the deal and will bring across her team of execs including Sue Kinkead and Danielle Ghilardi Birckhead, who will become SVP Development and SVP Physical Production & Operations, respectively. Also joining are Tyler O’Neill and Elizabeth Sandroff as Senior Directors of Development.
The move comes as Hello Sunshine steps up its activities in the unscripted world. The company produces Get Organized on Netflix and is making competition series My Kind of Country for Apple TV+.
“Sara has led an incredibly...
- 12/7/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Some entertainment industry parents are doing their part to help Los Angeles healthcare workers and local restaurants amid the coronavirus crisis.
Help Feed the Frontlines Fighting Covid-19 in L.A. is an organization co-founded by some local moms and a dad many of whom work in the entertainment industry, whose children attend Kenter Canyon Elementary School in Brentwood. The goal is to provide healthcare workers a nutritious lunch and dinner for as long as the coronavirus crisis lasts, while supporting local restaurants affected by the viral pandemic.
Founded...
Help Feed the Frontlines Fighting Covid-19 in L.A. is an organization co-founded by some local moms and a dad many of whom work in the entertainment industry, whose children attend Kenter Canyon Elementary School in Brentwood. The goal is to provide healthcare workers a nutritious lunch and dinner for as long as the coronavirus crisis lasts, while supporting local restaurants affected by the viral pandemic.
Founded...
- 3/30/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Talent agency hospitality is a mainstay at the Sundance film Festival, be it in swanky lounges on Park City’s Main Street or private chalets in nearby Deer Valley.
United Talent Agency, whose talent roster and independent film group always come in force each year, typically throws a brunch for friends and press — but will significantly expand its footprint this year, in the form of a private residence with several days of programming.
Clients and guests of UTA Marketing — which reps global brands including Cover Girl, Delta Air Lines, Google, and Lyft — will be invited to a private residence tucked away the center of festival madness for key events and refuge from the snow.
Issa Rae, repped by the agency, will throw a party in honor of creators of color in conjunction with UTA’s own head of diversity and inclusion, Shanique Bonelli-Moore. Women in Film will hold its annual...
United Talent Agency, whose talent roster and independent film group always come in force each year, typically throws a brunch for friends and press — but will significantly expand its footprint this year, in the form of a private residence with several days of programming.
Clients and guests of UTA Marketing — which reps global brands including Cover Girl, Delta Air Lines, Google, and Lyft — will be invited to a private residence tucked away the center of festival madness for key events and refuge from the snow.
Issa Rae, repped by the agency, will throw a party in honor of creators of color in conjunction with UTA’s own head of diversity and inclusion, Shanique Bonelli-Moore. Women in Film will hold its annual...
- 1/21/2020
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Hello Sunshine, the media company founded by Reese Witherspoon, has launched a kids and animated division to be led by Nickelodeon vet Claire Curley.
The unit will create content for younger audiences aged 3-5 and 6-9, “shining a light on where girls are right now and helping them chart their path forward,” according to the company. In her new role, Curley will develop a slate of animated kids’ content, and will launch with productions aimed at the preschool and younger grade school set.
The company has also brought on Zoe Fairbourn as head of brand partnerships, expanding on her working relationship with the company as a consultant developing originals and integrated marketing programs. Curley and Fairbourn are based in Los Angeles and will report to Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden.
“As we continue to grow as a company, we are excited to expand our content offerings to reach the leaders...
The unit will create content for younger audiences aged 3-5 and 6-9, “shining a light on where girls are right now and helping them chart their path forward,” according to the company. In her new role, Curley will develop a slate of animated kids’ content, and will launch with productions aimed at the preschool and younger grade school set.
The company has also brought on Zoe Fairbourn as head of brand partnerships, expanding on her working relationship with the company as a consultant developing originals and integrated marketing programs. Curley and Fairbourn are based in Los Angeles and will report to Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden.
“As we continue to grow as a company, we are excited to expand our content offerings to reach the leaders...
- 7/11/2019
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
TheGrill 2019 was a huge success, bringing together leaders in media, entertainment, and tech to discuss the latest topics affecting the industry. If you planned to go but couldn’t make it, you can still benefit from TheGrill! The full-length speaker panels and roundtable discussions are available exclusively now with a WrapPRO membership.
Spotlight Conversation with Ryan Kavanaugh
Ryan Kavanaugh addresses his exit from Hollywood with TheWrap’s Founder and Editor-in-Chief Sharon Waxman and what’s next with his new venture in China under Proxima Media.
Ryan Kavanaugh and Sharon Waxman at TheGrill 2019
M&a: Exits, Outcomes and Successes
Entertainment and Media companies are consolidating at rapid rates. Ones-to-watch Michael Burns and Sarah Harden talk opportunities and challenges associated with M&a.
Michael Burns, Sarah Harden, at TheGrill 2019
Daring Nature: Documenting Extremes
Filmmakers behind the scenes of National Geographic’s latest nature documentaries fill listeners in with the little-known dangers associated with filming in the extreme environments.
Spotlight Conversation with Ryan Kavanaugh
Ryan Kavanaugh addresses his exit from Hollywood with TheWrap’s Founder and Editor-in-Chief Sharon Waxman and what’s next with his new venture in China under Proxima Media.
Ryan Kavanaugh and Sharon Waxman at TheGrill 2019
M&a: Exits, Outcomes and Successes
Entertainment and Media companies are consolidating at rapid rates. Ones-to-watch Michael Burns and Sarah Harden talk opportunities and challenges associated with M&a.
Michael Burns, Sarah Harden, at TheGrill 2019
Daring Nature: Documenting Extremes
Filmmakers behind the scenes of National Geographic’s latest nature documentaries fill listeners in with the little-known dangers associated with filming in the extreme environments.
- 6/27/2019
- by Wrap Staff
- The Wrap
It’s a turbulent time in the entertainment business. TheGrill conference this year reflected that turbulence in an intense day of conversation and debate — in the anxiety expressed by independent producers and digital entrepreneurs and from the sense of uncertainty from corporate leaders on the main stage.
As a result, I learned a lot of things. And as expected, Ryan Kavanaugh mixed it up.
Let’s start there. Kavanaugh is a polarizing figure in Hollywood, to be sure. Some admire him for having built an independent studio in a tough economic climate and for his ability to constantly raise new rounds of capital. Others accuse him of spinning wild tales and taking his past investors for a ride. I suspect that the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Kavanaugh seems to chronically invite controversy, but he also undeniably brings a brash optimism, new ideas, as well as fresh capital to...
As a result, I learned a lot of things. And as expected, Ryan Kavanaugh mixed it up.
Let’s start there. Kavanaugh is a polarizing figure in Hollywood, to be sure. Some admire him for having built an independent studio in a tough economic climate and for his ability to constantly raise new rounds of capital. Others accuse him of spinning wild tales and taking his past investors for a ride. I suspect that the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Kavanaugh seems to chronically invite controversy, but he also undeniably brings a brash optimism, new ideas, as well as fresh capital to...
- 6/9/2019
- by Sharon Waxman
- The Wrap
Speculation about the demise of cable bundles has been greatly exaggerated, according to Lionsgate’s Michael Burns.
The industry will just replace “cable” with “Ott.”
“The next round will be bundling of over-the-top services,” said Burns, the studio’s vice chairman who spoke at The Grill, TheWrap’s annual business and entertainment conference, on Wednesday. “That will be the usual partners — the ones that you would think of — but I think there are going to be a lot of new ones that you’re going to say, ‘Well, that makes a lot of sense. That could be bundled together with a Starz app or a Showtime or an HBO.'”
The traditional cable bundle has broken down, with many consumers opting for a cadre of streaming services in lieu of a TV subscription. But with Disney, Apple, WarnerMedia and NBCUniversal all launching their own direct-to-consumer offerings over the next year...
The industry will just replace “cable” with “Ott.”
“The next round will be bundling of over-the-top services,” said Burns, the studio’s vice chairman who spoke at The Grill, TheWrap’s annual business and entertainment conference, on Wednesday. “That will be the usual partners — the ones that you would think of — but I think there are going to be a lot of new ones that you’re going to say, ‘Well, that makes a lot of sense. That could be bundled together with a Starz app or a Showtime or an HBO.'”
The traditional cable bundle has broken down, with many consumers opting for a cadre of streaming services in lieu of a TV subscription. But with Disney, Apple, WarnerMedia and NBCUniversal all launching their own direct-to-consumer offerings over the next year...
- 6/5/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
TheGrill, TheWrap’s annual conference showcasing Hollywood and Silicon Valley’s top talent and innovators, kicks off on Wednesday at The London in West Hollywood. The conference moves to a new date and a new format with one jam-packed day of conversations and panel discussions about the convergence of Hollywood and tech.
The conference kicks off with a spotlight conversation between TheWrap’s CEO Sharon Waxman and Ryan Kavanaugh, who will discuss his newly launched venture, Proxima Media. The former head of Relativity Media recently announced Proxima was taking a stake in a Hong Kong-based studio with $250 million in funding to make movies for the U.S. He also announced plans for a new crypto-based financing tool to fund film, TV and music with a $100 million investment from Central Wealth Group of Hong Kong and Step Ventures.
This year’s edition of TheGrill also features a Spotlight on Comedy headlined...
The conference kicks off with a spotlight conversation between TheWrap’s CEO Sharon Waxman and Ryan Kavanaugh, who will discuss his newly launched venture, Proxima Media. The former head of Relativity Media recently announced Proxima was taking a stake in a Hong Kong-based studio with $250 million in funding to make movies for the U.S. He also announced plans for a new crypto-based financing tool to fund film, TV and music with a $100 million investment from Central Wealth Group of Hong Kong and Step Ventures.
This year’s edition of TheGrill also features a Spotlight on Comedy headlined...
- 6/5/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
“Veep” star Tony Hale and “Better Things” creator and star Pamela Adlon will lead a “Spotlight on Comedy” interview at TheWrap’s ninth annual TheGrill conference on June 5 at The London West Hollywood.
Hale is an Emmy-winning star of HBO’s hit political comedy “Veep,” delighting audiences with his portrayal of presidential aide Gary Walsh. Adlon created and stars in FX’s “Better Things,” a semi-autobiographical series about a single mother and working actor trying to raise her three daughters in Los Angeles.
Now in its 10th year, the digital-first news site TheWrap is bringing a new approach to its most prestigious conference, offering three tracks concentrating on technology, innovation and entertainment. Top-tier executives and award-winning journalists will lead deep conversations about the change that is transforming the entertainment and media industries.
Other participants include Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns, Condé Nast Entertainment President Oren Katzeff, and Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden.
Hale is an Emmy-winning star of HBO’s hit political comedy “Veep,” delighting audiences with his portrayal of presidential aide Gary Walsh. Adlon created and stars in FX’s “Better Things,” a semi-autobiographical series about a single mother and working actor trying to raise her three daughters in Los Angeles.
Now in its 10th year, the digital-first news site TheWrap is bringing a new approach to its most prestigious conference, offering three tracks concentrating on technology, innovation and entertainment. Top-tier executives and award-winning journalists will lead deep conversations about the change that is transforming the entertainment and media industries.
Other participants include Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns, Condé Nast Entertainment President Oren Katzeff, and Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden.
- 5/29/2019
- by Wrap Staff
- The Wrap
Hello Sunshine has tapped Liz Jenkins to be the media company’s chief financial officer.
Jenkins previously served as head of strategic ventures for Sony PlayStation. In her new role, Jenkins will help grow Hello Sunshine feature films, scripted and unscripted television, and audio storytelling businesses.
The company was founded by Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon and Strand Equity founder and director Seth Rodsky in 2016 with the goal of promoting female-driven projects. To that end, it has launched Reese’s Book Club, an ever-evolving list of reading suggestions from the “Walk the Line” star. The company is also partnering with Hulu on a limited series adaptation of Celeste Ng’s 2017 bestseller “Little Fires Everywhere” that will feature Witherspoon and Kerry Washington; a 10-episode comedy series for Apple that was created by Colleen McGuinness (“30 Rock”) and inspired by Curtis Sittenfeld’s short-story collection “You Think It, I’ll Say It”; and “Are You Sleeping,...
Jenkins previously served as head of strategic ventures for Sony PlayStation. In her new role, Jenkins will help grow Hello Sunshine feature films, scripted and unscripted television, and audio storytelling businesses.
The company was founded by Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon and Strand Equity founder and director Seth Rodsky in 2016 with the goal of promoting female-driven projects. To that end, it has launched Reese’s Book Club, an ever-evolving list of reading suggestions from the “Walk the Line” star. The company is also partnering with Hulu on a limited series adaptation of Celeste Ng’s 2017 bestseller “Little Fires Everywhere” that will feature Witherspoon and Kerry Washington; a 10-episode comedy series for Apple that was created by Colleen McGuinness (“30 Rock”) and inspired by Curtis Sittenfeld’s short-story collection “You Think It, I’ll Say It”; and “Are You Sleeping,...
- 8/31/2018
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Reese Witherspoon will show her personal side in “Shine On with Reese” — the actress-entrepreneur’s first unscripted TV show in which she visits with female celebs and other trailblazing women.
The half-hour series is set to debut next week exclusively on At&T’s DirecTV and U-verse platforms on Witherspoon’s new Hello Sunshine channel. For the telco, the new programming initiative is aimed at attracting — and retaining — subscribers to its video services with a slate of content showcasing women’s stories and perspectives.
The nine-episode “Shine On with Reese” comes from Hello Sunshine, Witherspoon’s production company formed under a pact with At&T and Chernin Group’s Otter Media in November 2016.
The first three “Shine On with Reese” episodes debut July 17, featuring Dolly Parton, Ava DuVernay and P!nk. According to Witherspoon, Hello Sunshine’s content is intended to be “entertaining, inspiring, thought-provoking and unabashedly real.”
“I am thrilled to have such like-minded,...
The half-hour series is set to debut next week exclusively on At&T’s DirecTV and U-verse platforms on Witherspoon’s new Hello Sunshine channel. For the telco, the new programming initiative is aimed at attracting — and retaining — subscribers to its video services with a slate of content showcasing women’s stories and perspectives.
The nine-episode “Shine On with Reese” comes from Hello Sunshine, Witherspoon’s production company formed under a pact with At&T and Chernin Group’s Otter Media in November 2016.
The first three “Shine On with Reese” episodes debut July 17, featuring Dolly Parton, Ava DuVernay and P!nk. According to Witherspoon, Hello Sunshine’s content is intended to be “entertaining, inspiring, thought-provoking and unabashedly real.”
“I am thrilled to have such like-minded,...
- 7/10/2018
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
After 2017’s Emmy-winning success of HBO’s Big Little Lies and the timely Meet My Mom on Facebook Watch earlier this year, Reese Witherspoon’s female-focused Hello Sunshine shingle is about to put the Oscar winner’s inaugural unscripted series on a video-on-demand channel with At&T.
Debuting on July 17, Shine On With Reese will feature on-location conversations, at home and on the front lines with the likes of A Wrinkle In Time director Ava DuVernay, the legendary Dolly Parton, author Glennon Doyle, as well as World Cup champion Abby Wambach. Spotlighting women who have weaved their way to success uniquely, the nine-episode first season of Shine On will premiere on DirecTV, DirecTV Now and U-Verse on the Hello Sunshine VOD channel a week from today. The Hello Sunshine channel will be located on DirecTV’s channel 1112 and U-Verse’s channel 1530.
“I am thrilled to have such like-minded creative collaborators...
Debuting on July 17, Shine On With Reese will feature on-location conversations, at home and on the front lines with the likes of A Wrinkle In Time director Ava DuVernay, the legendary Dolly Parton, author Glennon Doyle, as well as World Cup champion Abby Wambach. Spotlighting women who have weaved their way to success uniquely, the nine-episode first season of Shine On will premiere on DirecTV, DirecTV Now and U-Verse on the Hello Sunshine VOD channel a week from today. The Hello Sunshine channel will be located on DirecTV’s channel 1112 and U-Verse’s channel 1530.
“I am thrilled to have such like-minded creative collaborators...
- 7/10/2018
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Though Mother's Day has passed, it is never a bad time to honor inspiring matriarchs. Throughout the month of May, Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine brand with host conversations between celebrities and their moms as part of a Facebook Watch series called Meet My Mom. The latest episode, which arrived online the Friday before Mother's Day, features YouTube star Lilly Singh and her mother Malwinder.
In Meet My Mom, candid girl talks are used to celebrate powerful women and reveal fascinating details about well-known details. Lilly Singh's chat with her mother covers everything from the immigrant experience (the Singhs are Indian-Canadian) to Lilly's greatest passion (which is known to be Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson).
Witherspoon kicked off Meet My Mom by sitting down with her own mother, Betty. The actress launched Hello Sunshine last year in order to create content that is both for women and by women. The media company,...
In Meet My Mom, candid girl talks are used to celebrate powerful women and reveal fascinating details about well-known details. Lilly Singh's chat with her mother covers everything from the immigrant experience (the Singhs are Indian-Canadian) to Lilly's greatest passion (which is known to be Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson).
Witherspoon kicked off Meet My Mom by sitting down with her own mother, Betty. The actress launched Hello Sunshine last year in order to create content that is both for women and by women. The media company,...
- 5/14/2018
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Marketing veteran Rachel Spiegelman has been tapped to head the brand studio at Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine banner.
Spiegelman will focus on setting creative partnerships and deals with what Hello Sunshine described as “mission-aligned brands who respect the power of the female consumer,” and those that seek branded content pacts to “entertain, generate new conversations and deepen brand connection.” She reports to Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden.
“Rachel brings an incredible track record in scaling high growth companies through creative storytelling that solves real business problems for brands,” Harden said.
Spiegelman previously worked as a marketing exec for 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., and MTV Networks. Most recently she was CEO of the advertising agency Pitch.
“Hello Sunshine strives to bring female-centered stories to the forefront of our culture, and I am truly thrilled to have the opportunity to use my experience in entertainment, business, and brand development to make that happen,...
Spiegelman will focus on setting creative partnerships and deals with what Hello Sunshine described as “mission-aligned brands who respect the power of the female consumer,” and those that seek branded content pacts to “entertain, generate new conversations and deepen brand connection.” She reports to Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden.
“Rachel brings an incredible track record in scaling high growth companies through creative storytelling that solves real business problems for brands,” Harden said.
Spiegelman previously worked as a marketing exec for 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., and MTV Networks. Most recently she was CEO of the advertising agency Pitch.
“Hello Sunshine strives to bring female-centered stories to the forefront of our culture, and I am truly thrilled to have the opportunity to use my experience in entertainment, business, and brand development to make that happen,...
- 5/2/2018
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Rachel Spiegelman has been named Head of Brand Studio at Hello Sunshine, the multiplatform media company founded by Reese Witherspoon. Spiegelman, previously CEO of ad agency Pitch, will report to CEO Sarah Harden and lead efforts to partner with brands that respect the power of the female consumer and create storytelling franchises and experiences.
At Pitch, she worked on campaigns for such brands as Pepsi, Westfield and Netflix. Before that, Spiegelman had gigs at 2oth Century Fox, Warner Bros and MTV Networks.
“Rachel brings an incredible track record in scaling high-growth companies through creative storytelling that solves real business problems for brands,” Harden said. “She’s that rare combination of creative thought-leader, world-class operator and business builder that makes her the perfect person to run Hello Sunshine’s Brand Studio.”
Hello Sunshine already has a slew of female-driven projects in the works after it launched in November 2016 partnered with Otter Media,...
At Pitch, she worked on campaigns for such brands as Pepsi, Westfield and Netflix. Before that, Spiegelman had gigs at 2oth Century Fox, Warner Bros and MTV Networks.
“Rachel brings an incredible track record in scaling high-growth companies through creative storytelling that solves real business problems for brands,” Harden said. “She’s that rare combination of creative thought-leader, world-class operator and business builder that makes her the perfect person to run Hello Sunshine’s Brand Studio.”
Hello Sunshine already has a slew of female-driven projects in the works after it launched in November 2016 partnered with Otter Media,...
- 5/2/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Hello Sunshine, a multimedia company launched by Reese Witherspoon in partnership with Otter Media in 2016 to tell female-focused stories, has named Sarah Harden CEO. Harden, who had been serving as interim CEO of Hello Sunshine since June, was previously the president of Otter Media -- a joint digital venture between At&T and The Chernin Group to create and invest in Ott services.
At the same time, Hello Sunshine has appointed Charlotte Koh head of digital media and programming, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Koh -- who previously served as head of video at HuffPost and was Hulu’s first-ever head of originals -- will be responsible for developing and producing content across Sunshine’s digital channels. Koh’s counterpart in the film and TV realm at Hello Sunshine is Lauren Levy Neustadter.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
At the same time, Hello Sunshine has appointed Charlotte Koh head of digital media and programming, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Koh -- who previously served as head of video at HuffPost and was Hulu’s first-ever head of originals -- will be responsible for developing and producing content across Sunshine’s digital channels. Koh’s counterpart in the film and TV realm at Hello Sunshine is Lauren Levy Neustadter.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 1/29/2018
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
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