Illumination Appoints Sam Bergen as Chief Marketing Officer

Beck Media & Marketing has elevated former Hulu and Warner Bros. executive Tom McAlister to president and named him as its first partner. Beck founder and CEO Todd Beck made the announcement today.

EXCLUSIVE: Longtime John Wells Productions executive Ned Haspel has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. He was previously EVP, Business and Financial Affairs.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaFirst Look Media has appointed Ian Stratford as its new chief legal officer and head of business affairs. Prior to joining First Look Media, Stratford served as SVP, associate general counsel at Endeavor where he helped found Endeavor Content, the agency’s production, financing and sales arm.

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.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterWheelhouse, the firm founded by producer Brent Montgomery in partnership with Jimmy Kimmel, has brought on investment and private equity executive Ann Berry as its chief investment officer.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorUniversal Music Group has announced the promotion of Will Tanous to Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, effective immediately. He will continue to serve as a member of the company’s executive management board.In his new position, Tanous, who will continue to report to UMG Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge, will retain his current responsibilities and add new ones involving several major strategic and corporate endeavors.

Endemol Shine North America has promoted Sharon Levy to Chief Content Officer.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterEndemol Shine North America has named Sharon Levy its chief content officer, elevating the exec from her prior role as president of unscripted and scripted television for the Banijay-owned studio.Levy first joined Endemol Shine North America in 2017, reshaping its programming team to work more closely with Banijay’s global production companies and created a development slate to include scripted and unscripted projects from co-owned labels worldwide.

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.

Sam Bergen, whose background includes executive stints at Vice Media and Beats by Dr. Dre, has been named chief marketing officer at Illumination.

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.

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

Joe Biden's late son, Beau, is never far from his mind. In photographs of Biden's newly decorated Oval Office as he began his presidency on Wednesday, a prominent picture of Beau can be seen.Beau died in 2015 after a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

The San Francisco International Film Festival, known as SFFILM, has named Jessie Fairbanks as its new director of programming. Fairbanks will oversee film and offscreen programming for both the SFFILM festival and the organization’s year-round offerings.

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.

Pat Saperstein Deputy EditorThe San Francisco International Film Festival has announced that Jessie Fairbanks will join the organization, leading the festival, year-round offerings and off-screen programming.Fairbanks, who has worked with DOC NYC and Tribeca Film Festival, joins SFFILM on Jan. 25.The 2021 festival is scheduled for April 9-18.

Mónica Marie Zorrilla Three months after former AMC Networks Chief Financial Officer and industry veteran Sean Sullivan shifted from the entertainment company to SiriusXM, Christina Spade has stepped in to fill his shoes.Today, AMC Networks announced that the CPA and St. Joseph’s University graduate, who most recently served as Chief Financial Officer for ViacomCBS, will succeed Sullivan effective immediately.