US arthouse distributor Kino Lorber has recruited former AMC Networks executives Ed Carroll and Lisa Schwartz as, respectively, chief strategy officer and chief revenue officer.
The appointments come two months after Kino Lorber acquired North American streaming service MHz Choice. The company said Carroll and Schwartz will work with Kino Lorber CEO Richard Lorber and COO Martha Benyam to shape content and distribution strategies “including an accelerated expansion into digital spaces.”
Carroll spent three decades at AMC Networks, in roles including COO and president of the Bravo network. He headed the company’s streaming channels Acorn, Sundance Now, IFC Unlimited and Shudder, presided over the launch of streaming service AMC+ and oversaw development of series including Mad Men, Breaking Bad and Killing Eve.
In her 20 years at AMC Networks, Schwartz most recently oversaw IFC Films and its day-and-date distribution strategy, working on titles including Boyhood, Two Days, One Night, 45 Years and Finding Vivian Maier. She also worked on the development and launch of the IFC Films Unlimited SVOD service.
Carroll commented: “Bringing prestige content to market and helping it find a wide audience has been the most fun and satisfying part of my career. Richard Lorber and his team have built a company that stands for high-quality storytelling, and I am excited to help build on that success.”
Schwartz said: “I have been a longtime admirer of Kino Lorber and their acclaimed films. I’m excited to bring their high-quality, diverse new releases and extensive catalogue films to passionate, discerning audiences through expanding access on both digital and traditional distribution platforms. I’m looking forward to working together with Richard, Ed and Martha to continue to grow the business.”
Lorber added: “Ed and Lisa are a powerful combination and I’m thrilled to welcome them both to the Kino Lorber C-suite. Following our acquisition of the MHz Choice streaming service, it’s the perfect time for them to join, as we further innovate our distribution strategies to make prestige international film and TV content accessible to audiences throughout North America. Like me, they care intensely about quality, and finding and sharing artistically elevated stories that connect across many genres.”
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