Skywriter Media and Entertainment Group, Inc. Formed

BRANDORA Editorial Staff - September 2009

 
Global Entertainment Industry Executives Kevin Gillis, Michael McLaughlin and Michael Iscove Establish Fully-Integrated Family Entertainment Company

Respected International Sales Executive Paula McLaren Appointed To
Head Global Distribution and Acquisitions

Globally recognized television industry executives Kevin Gillis, Michael McLaughlin and Michael Iscove have launched Skywriter Media and Entertainment Group, Inc., a fully-integrated company involved in the development, production, marketing and distribution of original entertainment in all categories for worldwide television, online, gaming and social media.

Gillis heads up the company as Chief Executive Officer; McLaughlin serves as President; and Iscove acts as Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer.

Named to head up worldwide distribution for Skywriter is Paula McLaren, who oversees all areas of global sales, marketing and acquisitions.

Skywriter is financing, developing, producing, acquiring and distributing a broad range of children’s, family and prime time programming for the global broadcast marketplace. At the same time, Skywriter is forging strategic alliances with technology and digital media companies for the production, distribution, and marketing of content for all emerging media.

In addition, Skywriter is concentrating on creating advertiser-supported content opportunities for the digital media marketplace, including online, mobile and gaming platforms.

Gillis is recognized as one of the entertainment industry’s leading producers. His distinguished career spans almost 30 years as a creator, producer, director and marketer of successful animated series and dramatic prime time series that have been sold in 180 countries, with several continuing to air 25 years after their debut. Among Gillis’ high-profile credits are The Raccoons, Atomic Betty, Miss BG, RoboCop: The Series, FX: The Series, Captain Flamingo, Jimmy Two Shoes and Producing Parker. His productions encompass more than 500 half-hours of television and represent in excess of $180 million in programming. Most recently, Gillis launched and was the managing partner of Breakthrough Animation, where he developed, executive produced and sold the company’s shows in over 180 countries.

Michael McLaughlin brings over 24 years in programming and sales to Skywriter. As Executive Vice President of Omnicom’s Entertainment division (Canada) for the last nine years, McLaughlin worked with the company’s media agencies and major advertising clients to deliver over $270 million in advertising supported deals which included major Hollywood studio programming to national Canadian Broadcasters. Prior to Omnicom, Mclaughlin spent fifteen years at Canwest Global in both programming and sales roles.

Michael Iscove brings over twenty-five years of international expertise in strategic business development, corporate finance, strategic alliances, and mergers and acquisitions to his Skywriter position. Skilled in both the technology and entertainment sectors, Iscove has been responsible for more than $250 million in transactions.

McLaren brings an expansive and distinguished career in international sales and distribution to Skywriter. She joins the company from BBC Worldwide (New York), where she managed business development for BBC Motion Gallery. Previously, McLaren headed up distribution at Breakthrough Entertainment and played an instrumental role in launching the company’s international distribution operations. Following that, she served as a senior sales executive with CBC International.

“Opportunities within media and entertainment channels are expanding exponentially, and companies engaged in this growing universe require broad skills, expertise and experience to address the evolving business models,” said Gillis. “Skywriter is a one-stop source committed to serving as a bridge between producers, advertisers, broadcasters and digital media alike by creating, developing and acquiring compelling content for all platforms. We are truly excited to be able to support and nurture ground-breaking product for the global marketplace.”

“Skywriter’s unique approach is meant to address the many extraordinary developments that occur in media and entertainment. Our company brings to the global marketplace a wealth of financing, creative development and production, technology expertise, advertising and marketing experience and, with the appointment of Paula McLaren, outstanding distribution capabilities under one banner,” said McLaughlin.