Red Arrow Entertainment Group has strengthened its global digital presence by launching Ripple Entertainment, a digital media company in Los Angeles. Run as a wholly independent company, Ripple will launch and operate vertically focused networks, producing original content with Red Arrow production companies, external strategic partners and independent creators. Ripple Entertainment will also act as Red Arrow’s hub for digital strategy, building a diverse portfolio of assets around the Group’s growing slate of formats and shows, thus maximizing the value of Red Arrow’s IP catalogue.
Ripple Entertainment will be led by co-founders Gayle Gilman (CEO) and Jason Ziemianski (CRO). Most recently, Gilman was EVP of Digital Content at FremantleMedia North America where she launched the Digital Studio Tiny Riot. Ziemianski was Head of Community & Monetization at the leading MCN Big Frame (acquired by Dreamworks) and, most recently, worked with Gilman at FremantleMedia where they managed such initiatives as The Pet Collective, Buzzr and Munchies (a joint venture with Vice).
Jan Frouman, CEO of Red Arrow Entertainment Group, said: ‘Establishing Ripple is another significant and exciting step for us, and underlines our strategy: to invest in digital content and distribution, but always in a thoughtful and strategic way for the benefit of the Group as a whole. With Gayle and Jason we have found perfect partners who are a great commercial and cultural fit within the Group. Gayle is a coveted entertainment executive who has worked in both television and digital content as a creator and an executive, while Jason is a digital native who has been at the forefront of social content since it began. Their experience at another large production group, and work within both traditional and digital production, is going to be a tremendous asset in driving forward Red Arrow´s digital growth. We are lucky to have them on board.’
Gayle Gilman, CEO of Ripple Entertainment, added: ‘I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to work with Jan and Red Arrow. As new destinations and services come online, and new monetization opportunities are established, there has never been a better time to be in the content business across all platforms.’
Jason Ziemianski, CRO of Ripple Entertainment, said: ‘As the world of digital video continues to rapidly evolve, we are thrilled to be part of a forward-thinking organization like Red Arrow. Jan and his team, combined with the amazing group of companies they’ve assembled, create a unique opportunity to lay claim to a meaningful piece of the digital video landscape. We look forward to growing an amazing portfolio of media brands and helping the entire Red Arrow family reach new heights.’
Establishing Ripple Entertainment is the latest step in Red Arrow’s ongoing digital production expansion. In 2014, Red Arrow entered into a partnership with Collective Digital Studio (CDS), a leading multichannel network in the US. In 2015, ProSiebenSat.1 Group, Red Arrow’s parent company, acquired a majority interest in CDS and merged it with the German multichannel network Studio71. Ripple will work with CDS, Studio71 and other multi-channel networks around the world to distribute and monetize its content.