Momentum CEO Chris Weil sent an email to staff yesterday announcing the launch of a new unit that the IPG-owned agency’s dubbed Momentum Entertainment Group.
Calling it a “future-generation content studio,” Weil says MEG enhances Momentum’s “Phygital” offering (see definition here) and gives the agency some solid ground when it comes to original programming and “Hollywood content creation.” Perhaps Momentum is taking a cue from rival Publicis, which made its own foray into branded entertainment in 2009. Anyhow, Weil has chosen Tribal DDB co-founder/former COO& president Steven Marrs to lead MEG out of New York. Marrs most recently steered the ship at his own prodco, Branded Pictures.
View Weil’s full e-mail after the jump.
Once again, Happy New Year everyone.
To ensure our path to growth, our team is continuously looking at our business, at what our clients are asking for and what we need to do to hold our leadership position as one of the most innovative creative idea shops around the globe.
On that note, I’m excited to share with you the introduction of Momentum Entertainment Group (MEG), a future-generation content studio where we’ll bring ideas to life by connecting clients and brands with ideas and distributors to deliver unparalleled content experiences. MEG complements the natural evolution of our Phygital offering and gives us a significant foothold in the Hollywood content creation business and ownership of original programming for multiple platforms.
We have tapped Steven Marrs to lead us in this new endeavor. He will act as our Managing Partner based in NY and will report directly to me and an advisory board made up of Kevin McNulty and Jon Hamm. As a key part of this new group, Joe DiMuro, Executive Vice President – Head of Music, Entertainment & Branded Content, will be working within Momentum Entertainment Group reporting to Steven.
Steven is an accomplished executive in the media and entertainment industry and recognized by press and industry leaders specifically as a pioneer in both digital and branded entertainment for over 15 years. Steven brings with him not only his experience and vast network, but his production company Branded Pictures, which now becomes Momentum Entertainment Group.
Branded Pictures is a multi-platform entertainment production and distribution company specializing in the creation of sponsor-supplied and traditional programming. The company acquires, develops, produces and distributes programming across multiple platforms in markets around the world such as “The World Music Awards” (ABC/MNTV), “Americas Party New Year’s Eve Celebration (FOX), “Christmas from Central Park” (CBS), “The Magic of Fashion with Heidi Klum” (CW), “Treadstone” (scripted drama based on Bourne series of movies in development), “Anatomy of a Socially Awkward Situation” (Comedic Web Series) and “Heart of a Champion” (CCTV-China). Branded Pictures slate of projects will now be part of Momentum Entertainment Group.
Prior to creating Branded Pictures, Steven was the Co-Founder of Tribal DDB Worldwide (Omnicom). In his role as President & COO, Steven was responsible for the rapid and profitable expansion of the company, building a worldwide network of 30 offices in 21 countries with clients including Anheuser-Busch, Pepsi, Microsoft, McDonald’s, Sony and Clorox.
Please join me in giving Steven a big Momentum welcome and stay tuned for many more exciting announcements from the Momentum Entertainment Group in the coming weeks as this team is moving FAST to move it forward.
Best –
Chris