Film production company 101 Studios, launched in January by former Weinstein Company executive David Glasser, announced additions to its executive leadership team on Friday.
Former New Line executive Michele Newman will serve as the company’s executive vice president of finance and strategy; overseeing financing, strategic planning, business development and the company’s operations.
Glasser tapped a pair of former TWC executives in Laurent Ouaknine, who will serve as 101 Studios’ head of U.S. distribution, and Ennis Hensley, who will join as head of international sales and distribution.
Ouaknine, who was president of distribution at TWC, will be tasked with overseeing all facets of domestic theatrical rollout for the studio’s films. Hensley, who was TWC’s president of international sales and distribution, will oversee international distribution in addition to managing the studio’s growing number of international relationships.
“Michele, Laurent and Ennis bring with them a wealth of experience that will help 101 Studios become the home to talent who are looking for high quality collaboration and innovative teamwork.” Glasser and 101 Studios COO David Hutkin said in a joint statement.
Glasser was formerly president and chief operating officer at The Weinstein Company. He launched 101 Studios with Hutkin and the financial backing of investor Ron Burkle.
101 Studios has lined up more than $300 million to acquire, develop and produce four to six films a year in the U.S., and will finance and produce six to eight new TV series it has in development, including an already-closed $28.5 million television deal with Viacom for the first and second seasons of “Yellowstone,” the Kevin Costner-led western from Taylor Sheridan, which aired on the Paramount Network.
The studio had also been negotiating domestic rights for “The Current War,” a 2017 film starring Benedict Cumberbatch, which had been tied up in The Weinstein Company bankruptcy proceedings.
Financial backing for the new shingle comes from Ron Burkle, managing partner of The Yucaipa Companies; entrepreneur and producer Bob Yari; Marc Leder, co-CEO of Sun Capital Partners, Inc.; Marvin Peart of Marro Media Co.; and Dan Schryer, CEO of DCI Data Center Services. East West Bank has also provided substantial financing, including capital for the “Yellowstone” investment.
Burkle previously provided financing to Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media and invested in several Weinstein Co. films.