Six months after HBO Max abandoned its nonfiction efforts in the wake of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, the department’s top two executives have set up shop together. Jennifer O’Connell and Rebecca Quinn have launched Velvet Hammer Media (Vhm), a production company specializing in premium original nonfiction content.
O’Connell (former HBO Max EVP of nonfiction and live-action family originals) and Quinn (former HBO Max SVP of nonfiction original programming) will serve as co-CEOs and executive producers at their new outfit — with an eye on creating, producing and distributing formats, special-event programs and documentaries. Operating out of Los Angeles, the two have already hired development and production veteran Nick Alarcon (Lionsgate) as vice president.
“We have spent our entire professional lives in the content business, building and nurturing vital relationships with creatives and executives, and we look forward to furthering those collaborations and friendships through Vhm,” said O’Connell and Quinn in a joint statement.
O’Connell (former HBO Max EVP of nonfiction and live-action family originals) and Quinn (former HBO Max SVP of nonfiction original programming) will serve as co-CEOs and executive producers at their new outfit — with an eye on creating, producing and distributing formats, special-event programs and documentaries. Operating out of Los Angeles, the two have already hired development and production veteran Nick Alarcon (Lionsgate) as vice president.
“We have spent our entire professional lives in the content business, building and nurturing vital relationships with creatives and executives, and we look forward to furthering those collaborations and friendships through Vhm,” said O’Connell and Quinn in a joint statement.
- 2/10/2023
- by Mikey O'Connell
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jennifer O’Connell and Rebecca Quinn, who previously oversaw unscripted content at HBO Max, are moving into the production business.
O’Connell, who was EVP, Non-Fiction and Live-Action Family Originals, and Quinn, who was SVP, Non-Fiction Original Programming, have launched Vhm (Velvet Hammer Media).
The company will produce premium original non-fiction content with a focus on formats, special-event programs and documentaries.
It comes after the pair left last year after Warner Bros. Discovery axed non-scripted from its streaming service.
Based in L.A., the pair, who were responsible for shows such as Selena + Chef, Fboy Island and The Way Down, will serve as Co-CEOs and executive producers. They will be joined by Nick Alarcon, who previously oversaw unscripted development for Pulse Creative under the company’s overall deal with Lionsgate, as VP.
Vhm is also launching an Inside Access program, which will bolster diversity behind the camera. The program will ensure...
O’Connell, who was EVP, Non-Fiction and Live-Action Family Originals, and Quinn, who was SVP, Non-Fiction Original Programming, have launched Vhm (Velvet Hammer Media).
The company will produce premium original non-fiction content with a focus on formats, special-event programs and documentaries.
It comes after the pair left last year after Warner Bros. Discovery axed non-scripted from its streaming service.
Based in L.A., the pair, who were responsible for shows such as Selena + Chef, Fboy Island and The Way Down, will serve as Co-CEOs and executive producers. They will be joined by Nick Alarcon, who previously oversaw unscripted development for Pulse Creative under the company’s overall deal with Lionsgate, as VP.
Vhm is also launching an Inside Access program, which will bolster diversity behind the camera. The program will ensure...
- 2/10/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
David Zaslav is fond of his motor racing analogies.
The Warner Bros. Discovery President and CEO recently said, “If the linear business is a racecar, we’ve got a team of racecar drivers”. “When we hear a noise or it’s in third gear, we know how to fix it. It’s a business we know well,” he said on the company’s Q2 earnings call.
He believes the same applies to the unscripted television business, Discovery’s bread and butter, which is one of the reasons that HBO Max’s non-scripted division, led by Jennifer O’Connell, was axed as part of the latest round of layoffs.
The non-scripted community, however, is upset that he’s taken this particular car off the road.
HBO Max has had success in its short time commissioning original reality series; FBoy Island, a dating show hosted by Nikki Glaser, is widely considered a hit.
The Warner Bros. Discovery President and CEO recently said, “If the linear business is a racecar, we’ve got a team of racecar drivers”. “When we hear a noise or it’s in third gear, we know how to fix it. It’s a business we know well,” he said on the company’s Q2 earnings call.
He believes the same applies to the unscripted television business, Discovery’s bread and butter, which is one of the reasons that HBO Max’s non-scripted division, led by Jennifer O’Connell, was axed as part of the latest round of layoffs.
The non-scripted community, however, is upset that he’s taken this particular car off the road.
HBO Max has had success in its short time commissioning original reality series; FBoy Island, a dating show hosted by Nikki Glaser, is widely considered a hit.
- 8/20/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
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