AMC Networks Appoints Christina Spade as Executive VP, Chief Financial Officer

Wheelhouse, the company run by Brent Montgomery, the founder of Pawn Stars producer Leftfield, is ramping up its investment division with the hire of Ann Berry.

The three news networks carried tribute ceremonies on Wednesday for Brian Sicknick, the police officer killed in the siege on the Capitol last month.

AMC Networks, the owner of AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel and BBC America, is making a strategic investment in Canadian indie producer Shaftesbury, maker of the long-running family drama Murdoch Mysteries. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Shaftesbury CEO and chairman Christina Jennings, who will continue in the top post, told THR that AMC Networks was making a "significant and strategic" investment in her company, which would remain Canadian owned and controlled.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterAMC Networks and Toronto-based Shaftesbury have entered into a new strategic partnership that, through an investment in Shaftesbury, will grant AMC access to the production company’s slate and expand its content and development capabilities in Canada.The partnership, which builds on AMC and Shaftesbury’s existing production ties, was forged with the intention of growing Shaftesbury’s content slate across genres and creating more opportunities for Canadian creators

AMC Networks has struck a strategic partnership with Murdoch Mysteries and Slasher producer Shaftesbury.

Mónica Marie Zorrilla In celebration of Black History Month, AMC Networks has launched its 8th annual Black History Month PSA campaign, once again partnering with the NAACP and members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Variety has learned exclusively.The 2021 PSA series features four thematic spots that feature AMC Networks talent Colman Domingo (“Fear the Walking Dead”) and Vanessa Simmons (“Growing Up Hip Hop”); as well as CBC members and U.S. Representatives Alma Adams, G.

Annika Pham AMC Networks has bought for its streaming service the U.S., U.K. and Canadian rights to the six-part Swedish series “Bäckström,” produced by the Scandi powerhouse Yellow Bird (“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” “Wallander”).

Variety Staff Follow Us on TwitterWarner Chappell Music, the publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has named David Woirhaye as the company’s new executive vice president and global chief financial officer, effectively immediately. In his new role, he will report into Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO and Carianne Marshall, Co-Chair and COO.

Channel 4 has promoted its programming boss Ian Katz to chief content officer in a sweeping reorganization aimed at helping the UK broadcaster secure 40% of its £985 million ($1.3 billion) revenue from sources other than traditional TV advertising by 2025.

Also Read: Ron Howard to Direct Biopic on Master Chinese Pianist Lang Lang“Ron and Brian have built one of the most admired, truly creatively-led companies in the business and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed our partnership in documentaries over the years,” Wilkes said in a statement.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterBrian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment has promoted Justin Wilkes to chief creative officer.Currently the head of the prolific Imagine Documentaries division, Wilkes’ expanded role was announced internally on Monday by Howard and Grazer. He will now work closely with film, TV, docs, branded entertainment, kids and family, and international programming.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterIllumination has hired Sam Bergen as chief marketing officer.In his new role, Bergen will oversee all aspects of the company’s creative and business marketing, including print and audio-visual advertising, as well as graphic and product design.He’s replacing Gail Harrison, who served as CMO since December 2018.

Varun Narang, former chief product officer at India-based streaming service Disney+Hotstar, has been appointed to the same role at Fox Corp.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterAMC Networks has acquired six-part revenge thriller “The Beast Must Die,” produced in partnership with BritBox UK, New Regency Television International and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free.The series, based on the novel by Nicholas Blake, centers on a grieving mother who infiltrates the life of the man she thinks murdered her son.

Ellise Shafer administratorBusiness manager Josh Klein (pictured at left), whose clients include The Chainsmokers, Big Sean, Logic and Winnie Harlow, among others, has launched TKG Business Management. The company will be based in Beverly Hills and offer such services as business management, tax work, and personal CFO services to high net worth individuals.

AMC Networks has landed former ViacomCBS CFO Christina Spade as its new finance chief. Spade becomes executive vp and CFO for AMC's portolio of channels, including AMC, BBC AMERICA, IFC, SundanceTV and WE tv; streaming services AMC+, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and ALLBLK; and AMC Networks International.

Former CBS Corp. and Showtime CFO Christina Spade has been appointed to the same role at AMC Networks.

Variety Staff Follow Us on TwitterNatalia Nastaskin, who has been General Manager of the Global Music Group at United Talent Agency since 2015, is joining the executive team at Primary Wave Music as Partner and Chief Content Officer, effective Feb. 1.Nastaskin will spearhead the development of various content for Primary Wave’s roster of management acts and publishing artists including Stevie Nicks, Bob Marley, Whitney Houston, Prince, Ray Charles among others.

Eli Countryman In today’s TV news roundup, ALLBLK streaming platform has gone live, and Lifetime announced the premiere dates for five new original movies.USA Network will premiere Season 3 of “Temptation Island,” a show designed to test the relationships of four couples, on Feb. 16 at 10 p.m.

Mobile games company Scopely has named former Facebook Gaming exec Ben Webley as its chief marketing officer, the company revealed Tuesday. In his new role, Webley will continue to build upon Scopely's advertising, growth, customer service, creative and user acquisition departments, while expanding engagement with players.