Imagine Entertainment Promotes Justin Wilkes to Chief Creative Officer (EXCLUSIVE)

EXCLUSIVE: Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment is partnering with Impact to launch a global call to discover an emerging writer to pen a new basketball comedy. An idea hatched by Imagine, the feature is described as a “School of Rock meets Moneyball“.

Beau Flynn’s FlynnPictureCo., the banner behind San Andreas, Rampage, and the upcoming Disney movie, Jungle Cruise, has promoted Chanel Bowling and Shelby Thomas to directors of development. In their new positions, Bowling and Thomas will be responsible for growing the company’s feature, series and PodFiction slate geared towards a global audience, while continuing to nurture emerging voices for all formats, according to the company.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefMore than 80% of movie tickets in China are sold online or via mobile device, one of the world’s highest penetration rates.

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.

EXCLUSIVE: Film and TV exec and producer Mark Bauch, has been named Senior Vice President of Imagine Entertainment’s Feature Film Group. Bauch will be responsible for bringing in new projects, helping to oversee the development and packaging of Imagine’s current feature slate, as well as targeting IP and books.

Shonda Rhimes has brought longtime director (and sometime actor) Tom Verica in house at Shondaland. Verica, who's worked closely with Rhimessince the third season of Grey's Anatomy, will serveas the company's head of creative production.

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.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentA trio of high-profile Scandinavian producers – Thomas Gammeltoft (“Terribly Happy”), Sofie Wanting Hassing (“Ida”) and Ole Søndberg (“Wallander”) – are launching TrueContent Entertainment, an ambitious independent production and distribution company based in Copenhagen.The company is a reboot of Sweet Chili Entertainment, a digital distribution company founded by Wanting Hassing and joined by Gammeltoft in Jan.

Keke Palmer is unapologetically herself and that is precisely why the world has taken notice. If she's outspoken it's only because, as she tells ET, «I care so much.»At 27 years old, Palmer is a modern trailblazer who has shown innovation, resilience, and above all passion for creating change.

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.

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.

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.