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NEW METRIC MEDIA ADDS EXECUTIVE FIREPOWER ACCELERATING THE COMPANY’S GROWTH AND INNOVATION TO ESTABLISH IT AS THE HOME OF PREMIERE GLOBAL COMEDY BRANDS

Former Bell Media, GM of Crave and Starz Jeff Hersh appointed Chief Operating Officer

Renowned comedy executive Bill Lundy joins as Senior Vice President, Comedy

Toronto, ON (March 8, 2022) – New Metric Media, the award-winning producer behind the hit Crave/Hulu original comedy series Letterkenny, has announced a strategic company-wide reorganization as it expands from an indie production company to a comedy-focused entertainment studio, that aggregates and amplifies premiere global comedy brands through a vertically integrated, franchise- building eco-system across Content Creation, Talent Development & IP, Distribution, Live Entertainment and Merchandise and Licensing. As part of the expansion, former Bell Media executive Jeff Hersh has been appointed as New Metric Media’s first Chief Operating Officer, renowned comedy executive Bill Lundy (Run the Burbs), formerly of Pier 21 Films and Bell Media, has been hired as Senior Vice President, Comedy, announced today by Mark Montefiore, Founder & CEO, New Metric Media.

With a growing global demand for comedy on and off screen, New Metric Media will continue to focus on partnering with top tier talent across all mediums to build comedy brands to a scale that rivals major entertainment franchises.  The high-profile additions to the company’s executive team will significantly bolster the breadth of corporate experience to drive the next stage of New Metric Media’s expansion.

As Chief Operating Officer, Hersh will focus on corporate strategy and driving significant strategic growth at New Metric Media via acquisitions, partnerships and raising capital as well as further monetization across all lines of business along with building out the operations to support growth.

As Senior Vice President of Comedy, Lundy will focus on broadening and strengthening the company’s slate of comedy brands and roster of comedy talent across scripted, sketch and stand up for multiple platforms including television, live entertainment, merchandise and licensing.

Both Hersh and Lundy will report to Montefiore.

In addition, veteran industry executive and WildBrain co-founder, Steven DeNure continues to serve as Strategic Advisor. DeNure’s vast experience in building content companies parlays well into New Metric Media’s overall strategy to building franchises in the comedy space. 

“We’re moving into a new and exciting phase of evolution at New Metric Media. This symbiotic approach will offer a rare opportunity for comedy brands to extend farther beyond the original medium they were created for,” said Montefiore. “The appointments of Jeff and Bill, and collaboration with Steve will provide us with the skills and experience to become a beacon for the best global comedy brands.”

“I am excited to join Mark and the talented New Metric team at this exciting point in the company’s development to help drive its expansion globally, both organically and through acquisitions,” added Hersh. “New Metric is poised for significant growth given the skyrocketing demand for amazing content and its unique position as a multi-platform, multi-monetization, digital-first comedy brand builder.”

New Metric Media is a recognized leader in brand marketing for its success with Letterkenny off-screen extensions. In addition to securing partnerships with Bell Media and Hulu on Letterkenny as well as the new spinoff series Shoresy, New Metric Media collaborated with Labatt Breweries on Puppers Golden Lager, the show’s fictional beer; secured merchandise licensing deals with Funko, Ripple Junction and High Roller Games; and also produces Letterkenny LIVE!, the North American 90-minute comedy experience featuring stars from the series which is set to return starting March 10th. In addition, the series also produces the new comedy series Children Ruin Everything from Schitt’s Creek’s Kurt Smeaton which received an early renewal for a second season doubling the episode order to 16 half-hours. The series airs on CTV in Canada and Roku in the U.S.

These new hires further round out the executive team including Kara Haflidson, Production Supervisor and Producer, Letterkenny, Beth Iley, Director of Development and Producer, Children Ruin Everything, Marc Feifer, Vice President, Finance; and Ryan Keller, Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs.

NOTE TO EDITOR:

Jeff Hersh

Prior to joining New Metric Media, Jeff Hersh was Vice President, Strategy, OTT Distribution and Premium SVOD, Bell Media. He was responsible for formulating and executing the strategy and business development for Bell Media. In addition, he is responsible for Crave and STARZ and the strategy and expansion of Bell Media’s OTT and direct-to-consumer opportunities. 

Formerly Vice-President, Strategy & Insights, Hersh led the strategy and business development for Bell Media in addition to the revenue management and research functions for the company. He joined Bell Media in 2013 from BCE where he was Director, Corporate Strategy and Mergers and Acquisitions where he focused on acquiring both CTV GlobeMedia and Astral Media which formed the core of what is now Bell Media

Prior to Bell/Bell Media, Jeff was in Strategy & Corporate Development at Fairfax Media (now Nine Entertainment) in Australia and prior to that, Private Equity and Mergers & Acquisition.

Bill Lundy

Most recently, Bill Lundy was SVP for Pier 21 Films leading the company’s Comedy and Drama scripted slates including serving as Executive Producer on the new CBC series Run the Burbs.  Prior to joining Pier 21 in 2018, Lundy was Production Executive, Comedy at Bell Media, developing and producing shows such as Letterkenny (scripted), The Beaverton (sketch), and Just For Laughs: All Access (stand-up).   

Lundy got his start in programming at Alliance Atlantis before moving over to CTV in 2007. Bill was named in The Hollywood Reporter’s Next Gen Canada: 15 Hottest Talents Under 35 in 2014.

Steven DeNure

Steven DeNure is a media executive and entrepreneur, and co-founder and a key builder of WildBrain (formerly DHX Media), where he served for many years as President and Chief Operating Officer. At WildBrain he was part of the leadership team that oversaw the acquisition and integration of more than a dozen companies

He also was President and co-founder of DECODE Entertainment, and prior to that President of Alliance Productions, President Alliance Multi-Media and Co-Chairman of TMP, the music publisher. 

DeNure has served as Executive Producer or Producer on numerous film and TV productions.

ABOUT NEW METRIC MEDIA

Based in Toronto and led by President Mark Montefiore, New Metric Media is an award-winning independent production company that develops, finances, and produces premium scripted content for an international audience. Recipient of the Banff World Media Festival’s 2018 Innovative Producer Award, the company’s slate of programming includes hit Crave/Hulu original comedy Letterkenny, CTV’s new half-hour comedy series Children Ruin Everything, the upcoming Letterkenny spinoff series Shoresy for Crave, the Netflix/CityTV premium drama series Bad Blood and the half-hour comedy What Would Sal Do? 

Most recently, New Metric Media announced a strategic company-wide reorganization to expand the company to a comedy-focused studio, that aggregates and amplifies premiere global brands through a vertically integrated, franchise-building eco-system across Live Entertainment, Merchandise and Licensing, Gaming, Socials, Digital, Talent Development & IP, Distribution and Content Creation. 

For more information:

Ink Media PR
Pam Wilson
pam@inkmediapr.co.uk

Roku Adds “Children Ruin Everything” from CTV and New Metric Media to Roku Originals Lineup in 2022

Series to Debut Exclusively on The Roku Channel in the U.S.

Roku is bringing a new half-hour comedy from Bell Media’s CTV and the producers of “Letterkenny” to The Roku Channel in the U.S. in 2022. The eight-episodes series will join the Roku Originals programming slate in a new agreement with award-winning independent production company New Metric Media.

Created by  Golden Globe® and Emmy®Award-winner Kurt Smeaton (“Schitt’s Creek”, “Kim’s Convenience”), “Children Ruin Everything: is about living with the worst roommates of all: young children. Astrid and James struggle to find balance between being ‘Mom and Dad’ to two kids and being who they were before offspring. “Children Ruin Everything” explores the hilarious and varied ways kids can tear down your life and, if you’re lucky, replace it with something you have to admit is pretty okay, too.

The series stars Meaghan Rath (“Being Human, Hawaii 5-0”) and Aaron Abrams (“Blindspot,” “Hannibal”). Ennis Esmer (“Blindspot,” “Schitt’s Creek”) and Nazneen Contractor (“Ransom,” “Heroes Reborn”) are also among the cast.

Chuck Tatham (“Modern Family,” “Arrested Development”) and multiple Canadian Screen Award-winner Mark Montefiore (“Letterkenny,” “What Would Sal Do?”) are executive producers, with Beth Iley (“Killjoys”) serving as producer.

“Children Ruin Everything” is produced and developed by New Metric Media in association with Bell Media for CTV, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund. Bell Media Distribution is the international rights holder for “Children Ruin Everything” and New Metric Media is the series’ exclusive Sales Agent.

Quotes:

Creator and Executive Producer, Kurt Smeaton: “’Children Ruin Everything’ was inspired by my own parenting experience, where every plan my wife and I made was thwarted by our kids in surprising and funny ways. Of course, this experience isn’t unique to us – which is what makes the stories we tell in this series so relatable. I’m thrilled to partner with Roku on this project and bring the show to the US.”

Roku’s Head of Scripted, Colin Davis: “‘Children Ruin Everything’ is endearing, funny, and painfully relatable. The familiarities and the modern evolutions of parenting are on full display. The greatest joys in our lives sometimes come from little monsters. I’m excited for The Roku Channel audience to instantly connect with the humor and heart of this show.”

Roku’s Head of Scripted, Colin Davis: “Roku Originals have been an important part of our overall content portfolio for The Roku Channel this year and we are pleased with how they have performed. Our focus is on delivering a broad selection of compelling content from award-winning creators and talent to our audience for free. ‘Children Ruin Everything’ represents an exciting step in the growth of Roku Originals as we continue to build up our slate with a great variety of originals from all over the world.”

The Roku Channel has seen record growth this year, reaching U.S. households with an estimated 70 million people in Q1 2021. Launched in 2017, The Roku Channel is the home of free and premium entertainment on the Roku platform. It features a diverse lineup of more than 80,000 free movies and programs and 200+ free live linear television channels. The Roku Channel licenses and distributes content from more than 200 partners.

Roku is a registered trademark of Roku, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. Trade names, trademarks and service marks of other companies appearing in this press release are the property of their respective holders. 

ABOUT NEW METRIC MEDIA

Based in Los Angeles and Toronto and led by President Mark Montefiore, New Metric Media is an award-winning independent production company that develops, finances, and produces premium scripted content for an international audience. Recipient of the Banff World Media Festival’s 2018 Innovative Producer Award and winner of 12 Canadian Screen Awards to date, the company’s current slate of programming includes hit Crave/Hulu original comedy LETTERKENNY, the Netflix/CityTV premium drama series BAD BLOOD, the half-hour comedy WHAT WOULD SAL DO?, and the upcoming all-new CTV comedy series CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING.  New Metric Media is also recognized as a leader in brand marketing for its success with LETTERKENNY off-screen extensions including beer and collectible merchandise via its recent licensing deals with Funko, Ripple Junction and High Roller Games; as well as a BAD BLOOD-branded escape room activation with a national immersive entertainment franchise;and LETTERKENNY LIVE!, a North American theatre tour with the stars of the series.

ABOUT CTV

CTV is Canada’s #1 television brand. CTV provides unparalleled entertainment programming across two broadcast television networks; a powerful suite of specialty channels including CTV Comedy Channel, CTV Drama Channel, CTV Life Channel, and CTV Sci-Fi Channel; and digital channels CTV Throwback and CTV Movies, streaming on demand from CTV.ca and the CTV app. CTV has been Canada’s most-watched television network for the past 20 years in a row and features a wide range of sports and information programming, including CTV News, Canada’s highest-rated national and local newscasts. CTV’s parent company is Bell Media, Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, digital, and out-of-home advertising.

U.S. Media Contact:

Roku, Inc.
Abby Reyes
areyes@roku.com

New Metric Media and Crave Gifts City with Outdoor Gym in Bell Park

October 13, 2021

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in Bell Park today to unveil a new outdoor gym. Award-winning independent production company New Metric Media and Bell Media’s Crave presented the City of Greater Sudbury with Pitter Patter Park, an outdoor gym located in Bell Park. The gym is their way of giving back to the community that has served as the filming location and home of their popular comedy series Letterkenny.


Since 2015, the Letterkenny cast and crew have been invaluable to producing great content, and solidifying Sudbury and northern Ontario as a premier and active filming destination for high-quality productions.
“We are happy to support the film and television industry, it generates millions of dollars in spending and hundreds of jobs each year in our City,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger. “This outdoor gym is a wonderful addition to Bell Park. Thank you New Metric Media and Crave for helping to promote physical activity in our community and improve the overall well-being of residents.”


New Metric Media and Crave are dedicated to supporting and promoting Greater Sudbury as well as its innovative infrastructure, beautiful parks and friendly people.


“We’re honoured to gift the City of Greater Sudbury this outdoor gym symbolizing our collective strength within the community,” said Mark Montefiore, President, New Metric Media. “We’d also like to recognize the unwavering support we’ve received from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation who have been instrumental in championing and investing in our local productions.”


“Since 2015, The City of Greater Sudbury has been an incredibly supportive home for Letterkenny,” said Justin Stockman, Vice-President, Content Development & Programming, Bell Media. “As the love for Crave’s first-ever original series continues to grow on an international scale, so does our appreciation for the local support we have received along the way, and we are thrilled to have an opportunity to show everyone in Sudbury how grateful we are with Pitter Patter Park.”

Available on streaming platforms Crave in Canada and Hulu in the U.S., Letterkenny revolves around the dustups “Wayne” (Jared Keeso) and his pals get into with their small-town rivals. The gym’s name Pitter Patter Park is a term used in the series as a way of saying ‘get to whatever it is you should be doing.’

Contact:

communications@greatersudbury.ca

ABOUT NEW METRIC MEDIA

Based in Los Angeles and Toronto, New Metric Media is an award-winning production company focused on creating brand defining, memorable and authentic content for global audiences. The prodco is behind the hit Hulu/Crave original comedy Letterkenny, the Netflix/CityTV premium drama series Bad Blood, the half-hour comedy What Would Sal Do? and the upcoming all-new CTV comedy series Children Ruin Everything.

In 2018, New Metric Media was named winner of the Banff World Media Festival’s Innovative Producer Award. The Company is also recognized as a leader in brand marketing for its success with Letterkenny off-screen extensions including beer and collectible merchandise via its recent licensing deals with Funko, Ripple Junction and High Roller Games; as well as a Bad Blood-branded escape room activation with a national immersive entertainment franchise; and Letterkenny LIVE!, a North American theatre tour with the stars of the series.

ABOUT CRAVE

Delivering more Oscar®-nominated and Emmy® Award-winning programming than any other service, Crave is Canada’s prestige entertainment offering, with HBO, HBO Max Originals, SHOWTIME®, STARZ, Hollywood-hit movies, and more. Crave is the exclusive Canadian streaming home of FRIENDS, and also boasts a robust slate of original programs including CANADA’S DRAG RACE, LETTERKENNY, POUR TOUJOURS, PLUS UN JOUR, WAY OVER ME (SORTEZ-MOI DE MOI), and NEW EDEN, docuseries DARK SIDE OF THE RING, the upcoming WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE, and original documentaries ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BAND and THE NEW CORPORATION: THE UNFORTUNATELY NECESSARY SEQUEL. Crave is also a major supporter of Canada’s production industry, helping to fund numerous film projects including THE SONG OF NAMES, WHITE LIE, and MONKEY BEACH. Crave also includes acclaimed selections from some of Canada’s prestigious film festivals including Toronto International Film Festival, Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, HOT DOCS, ImagineNATIVE, and Inside Out LGBT Film Festival.


Crave is a bilingual TV and streaming service with thousands of hours of exclusive French-language content included with the Super Écran add-on. Crave is available directly to all Canadians with access to the Internet at Crave.ca, via iOS and Android, and other platforms such as Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, PlayStation, Roku, select Samsung Smart TVs, and Xbox One. It’s also available in English through participating television providers across six 24-hour High Definition linear and on demand channels. Crave is from Bell Media, Canada’s leading content company, providing Canada’s most-watched and most-acclaimed television programming on network, specialty, pay and digital
platforms. Visit their website at Crave.ca.

THE OFFICIAL BEER OF HIT COMEDY SERIES “LETTERKENNY”, PUPPERS GOLDEN LAGER IS BACK

Released in partnership with Labatt Breweries of Canada, the lager will be available in Ontario LCBO’s, select Sobeys and Beer Stores by July 1st

Toronto, CAN (June 15, 2021) – Puppers Golden Lager, inspired by the fictional beer in Crave’s award-winning original comedy series Letterkenny, will be available in Ontario by July 1st, announced today by Mark Montefiore, President, New Metric Media.

“Our new partnership with Labatt is a significant step in the evolution of the Puppers beer brand,” commented Montefiore. “Labatt’s expertise and strong distribution reach will help get Puppers to a wider marketplace for Letterkenny fans and beer drinkers alike to enjoy all summer long and through 2021.”

Made with pale and caramel malts and German Perle hops, Puppers is perfectly in balance between malt and hops and sweetness and bitterness. Slightly grainy and yeasty, this dark golden lager is perfectly balanced with a slightly drying, sulfur-toned finish.

Available on streaming platforms Crave in Canada and Hulu in the U.S., Letterkenny revolves around the dustups “Wayne” (Jared Keeso) and his pals get into with their small-town rivals. For the hicks, skids and hockey players of Letterkenny, getting your ass kicked is a legitimate concern on a day-to-day basis.

Created by Keeso who is also executive producer, co-writer and star, Letterkenny is produced by New Metric Media, in partnership with WildBrain and Playfun Games in association with Bell Media, with the participation of Canadian Media Fund, OMDC Tax Credits and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund. Jacob Tierney is executive producer, director, and co-writer and Mark Montefiore is executive producer for New Metric Media. For Bell Media, Chris Kelley is Production Executive; Sarah Fowlie is Head of Production, Original Programming; Carlyn Klebuc is General Manager, Original Programming; Tory Jennings is Director, Content, Crave; Justin Stockman is Vice President, Content Development & Programming, Bell Media. Karine Moses is Senior Vice President, Content Development & News, Bell Media.

Puppers will be available in select Sobeys, beer stores and the LCBO in Ontario. Please visit the LCBO website for availability.

Follow @officialpuppers on Facebook and Instagram for updates on where to buy the beer, fun Puppers related content, merchandise announcements, contests and more.

ABOUT NEW METRIC MEDIA

Based in Los Angeles and Toronto, New Metric Media is an award-winning production company focused on creating brand defining, memorable and authentic content for global audiences. The prodco is behind the hit Hulu/Crave original comedy Letterkenny, the Netflix/CityTV premium drama series Bad Blood, the half-hour comedy What Would Sal Do? and the upcoming all-new CTV comedy series Children Ruin Everything.

In 2018, New Metric Media was named winner of the Banff World Media Festival’s Innovative Producer Award. The Company is also recognized as a leader in brand marketing for its success with Letterkenny off-screen extensions including beer and collectible merchandise via its recent licensing deals with Funko, Ripple Junction and High Roller Games; as well as a Bad Blood-branded escape room activation with a national immersive entertainment franchise; and Letterkenny LIVE!, a North American theatre tour with the stars of the series.

ABOUT LABATT BREWERIES OF CANADA

Established by John Kinder Labatt in London, Ontario in 1847, Labatt Breweries is one of Canada’s founding businesses and its leading brewer. The company today has more than 3,500 employees, six breweries, four stand-alone craft brewers, a BC distillery and a portfolio of 60 quality beers, including Budweiser, Alexander Keith’s, Labatt Blue, Kokanee, Stella Artois and Corona. Brands also include ready-to-drink beverages such as Palm Bay and Mike’s Hard Lemonade and NÜTRL VODKA SODA. As part of the Anheuser-Busch InBev family, Labatt is committed to Bringing People Together for a Better World, making a positive contribution through multiple programs that support its communities, promote responsible drinking and protect the environment.

Contact:

Pam Wilson
Ink Media PR
pam.wilson@inkmediacorp.com
+44 (0)7397 841841

LETTERKENNY Nominated for Six Canadian Screen Awards 2021

April 12th, 2021

This year LETTERKENNY has been nominated for SIX Canadian Screen Awards include BEST COMEDY SERIES, BEST PHOTOGRAPHY- COMEDY, BEST PICTURE EDITING – COMEDY, BEST LEAD ACTOR, BEST STUNT COORDINATION and BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CASTING.

For information and to vote visit the Academy of Canadian Film and Television’s website here.

Aaron Abrams To Star In Canadian Comedy ‘Children Ruin Everything’ From Chuck Tatham & Kurt Smeaton

March 24, 2021

via https://deadline.com/2021/03/aaron-abrams-ctv-children-ruin-everything-from-chuck-tatham-kurt-smeaton-1234720439/

“Aaron Abrams, who has starred in Blindspot and Hannibal, is to star in CTV comedy Children Ruin Everything opposite Meaghan Rath.

Ennis Esmer, who featured in Schitt’s Creek, and Nazneen Contractor, who featured in Heroes Reborn and Ransom, have also joined the cast.”

Read the full article here.

Canada’s CTV Announces New Half-Hour Original Comedy CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING from the Producers of LETTERKENNY

January 30th, 2020

via https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede

“The amazing life we had built in our twenties was crumbling into a pile of diapers and cancelled social engagements. But goddammit, we weren’t going down without a fight.” – Kurt Smeaton, Creator and Executive Producer on the inspiration behind CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING

From award-winning L.A.- and Toronto-based producer New Metric Media, CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING is created by veteran comedy writer and producer Kurt Smeaton (SCHITT’S CREEK, KIM’S CONVENIENCE). Alongside Smeaton, one of television’s premier comedy writers, Chuck Tatham (MODERN FAMILY, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT) joins multiple Canadian Screen Award-winner Mark Montefiore (LETTERKENNY, WHAT WOULD SAL DO?) as executive producer, with Beth Iley (KILLJOYS) serving as producer.

“This is a hilarious series with broad, universal comedy at its heart, from an amazing creative team in Kurt and Chuck together with our talented partners at New Metric Media,” said Mike Cosentino, President, Content and Programming, Bell Media. “Commissioning this new series also provides the opportunity to deliver a hit series for CTV while simultaneously expanding the roster of titles for our Bell Media Distribution catalogue.”

Read the full article here. 

Canada’s CTV Orders Comedy ‘Children Ruin Everything’ From ‘Schitt’s Creek’s Kurt Smeaton & ‘Modern Family’s Chuck Tatham

via https://deadline.com

Article by Peter White

January 29, 2020

Canada’s CTV has ordered a comedy from Modern Family and How I Met Your Mother exec producer Chuck Tatham and Schitt’s Creek writer Kurt Smeaton.

The broadcaster has commissioned Children Ruin Everything from Letterkenny producer New Metric Media. The series has been in development since 2016 and is set to start production in spring 2020. Casting is underway.

The half-hour comedy about living with children follows Astrid and James, who struggle to find a balance between being mom and dad to two kids and being who they were before offspring. It explores the ways kids can tear down your life and, if you’re lucky, replace it with something you have to admit is pretty okay, too.

Smeaton and Tatham will also serve as Executive Producers alongside New Metric Media founder Mark Montefiore. Beth Iley (Killjoys) serves as producer.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Pam Wilson
818.495.3800
Pam.Wilson@inkmediacorp.com