Wheelhouse Names Private Equity Exec Ann Berry as Chief Investment Officer

Daniel Holloway Executive Editor, TVWarner Bros.

Jeff Tobler is exiting his role as SVP, Television Publicity, Communications and Social Media for Warner Bros. Worldwide Television for a new opportunity.

The Second City, the Chicago-based improv and sketch comedy brand that spawned Hollywood talent like Tina Fey, John Belushi, Bill Murray and Keegan-Michael Key, has been acquired by Strauss Zelnick's private equity firm, ZMC. "We are very excited to partner with management and the incredible talent at The Second City to grow the brand and build a diverse organization that elevates all voices.

The Second City, the famed Chicago improv comedy outfit, has been acquired by private equity firm ZMC, whose founder and managing partner is longtime media figure Strauss Zelnick.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaThe Second City, a legendary theater that has nurtured generations of top comics, has sold to ZMC, a private equity firm run by Strauss Zelnick. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

 Ana de Armas  lovesick? The actress shared a video on Instagram listening to Amy Winehouse’s break-up song “You Sent Me Flying,” following her split from  Ben Affleck  in January.

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.

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.

As the stock price of movie theater giant AMC Entertainment surged on Wednesday, the private equity firm Silver Lake used the volatility to its advantage. In 2018, Silver Lake,invested $600 millioninto AMC via a debt offering due in 2024.

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.

Better times. Ahead of her split from Ben Affleck, Ana De Armas shared details about the former couple’s trip to her hometown of Havana, Cuba.

When you close your eyes and think of Marilyn Monroe, you probably have the image of the American bombshell actress with beautiful blonde hair and a very distinct voice. You might not immediately imagine a brunette Cuban woman, huh? Well, in Andrew Dominik’s upcoming film, “Blonde,” Ana de Armas tackles the role of Monroe and had to endure quite a bit to ditch her Cuban accent to pass as the Hollywood legend.

Ana de Armas mentioned her ex Ben Affleck in an interview, given before their breakup. News broke last week that Ben and Ana broke up after less than a year of dating.

Ana de Armas brought Ben Affleck to visit her hometown in Havana, Cuba, and he came back with some souvenirs! Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Ben was spotted wearing t-shirts from Cuba on more than one occasion, and in a new interview with The Sunday Times, Ana admitted that he was “obsessed” with the tees. “Every time we go, he buys the whole store,” she joked in the interview, which was conducted before the pair split earlier this month.

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.