Former RDF USA chief Chris Coelen is channeling his energies into Kinetic Content.
Coelen, who left RDF at the end of last year, has formed Kinetic as an independent development and production company focused on unscripted programming. He’s also hired four key executives — three from RDF — and set up shop in Santa Monica.
He’s personally financing Kinetic.
"There’s an opportunity in the marketplace to build an entrepreneurial, creatively-led production company that has significant global reach and resources," Coelen told TheWrap. "If you bring in a real team of talented creative executives, you can accomplish great things."
During his four years running RDF Media USA, the company sold more than 30 series and specials, including "Secret Millionaire," "Jessica Simpson’s The Price of Beauty," "One Big Happy Family," "Don’t Forget the Lyrics" and "Find My Family." Coelen also got RDF USA into scripted series, setting up "Being Human" at SyFy.
Coelen — who spent a decade at UTA establishing that agency’s alternative TV department — said he expects to hire as many as 10 creative staffers at Kinetic, in addition to some support staff.
Overseeing development and current programming will be Matilda Zoltowski and Jennifer Danska, both of whom will have senior VP titles. Danska worked with Coelen at RDF, where she had a similar post. Zoltowski comes to Kinetic from the BBC, where she was a co-executive producer on "Dancing with the Stars."
Gerald Massimei, meanwhile, has been named VP of development and current. Another RDF USA alum, he worked on shows such as "Secret Millionaire" and "Addicted to Beauty."
Also moving from RDF: Katie Griffin, who will serve as manager of development.
