News of appointment follows major acquisition, announced earlier this week, for New Metric Media’s LETTEKENNY comedy series by U.S. streaming service, Hulu
Toronto – June 8, 2018 – New Metric Media today announced the appointment of Alex Lalonde to the newly created position of Vice President, Business Affairs & Operations. The announcement was made by the production company’s president, Mark Montefiore, who earlier this week shared that LETTERKENNY, the company’s premium comedy series, was recently acquired by American streaming service, Hulu.
With a 25-year career in the film, television, and digital media industries under her belt, Lalonde will bring her keen eye for production to New Metric Media’s exciting slate of properties. The recent winner of the Banff World Media Festival’s 2018 Innovative Producer Award, the company’s current projects include the half-hour Superchannel comedy WHAT WOULD SAL DO? and the City/FX Canada event series BAD BLOOD. They have seen international success with their hit original comedy LETTERKENNY, produced for CraveTV, and starting July 13th, the series will be airing on Hulu in the U.S. A leader in brand marketing, New Metric Media has developed off-screen extensions for LETTERKENNY including beers, collectible merchandise, and Letterkenny LIVE!, a national theatre tour with the stars of the series.
New Metric Media’s MacLaren will continue to oversee production finance and business affairs while Lalonde will be focused on corporate expansion, strategic planning and execution, and operational management.
“Alex is a proven talent and leader in our industry, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have her join us,” said Mark Montefiore, President of New Metric Media. “Her contribution will be essential for us to accomplish the ambitious goals we’ve set for the coming year, including our continued push into the premium drama space.”
Previously the COO of Digital Howard, Lalonde produced the cutting-edge AR/VR adventure game Terracosm and won back to back Canadian Screen Awards for WYNONNA EARP Interactive for seasons one and two. Lalonde spent five years in the role of Executive in Charge of Production for First Generation Films; also acting as Head of Business Affairs and Executive Producer on several films including LIFE, REGRESSION, RED LIGHTS and THE WHISTLEBLOWER. She’s also worked with such notable companies and organizations as the Secret Location, Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, Telefilm Canada, the CMF and the Motion Picture Bond Company.
Hulu Acquires U.S. Rights to CraveTV Original and New Metric Media Hit Comedy LETTERKENNY
– Premium streaming service to become U.S. home to Seasons 1 and 2 of CraveTV’s original comedy series created by Jared Keeso –
– Hulu acquisition comes on the heels of a multi-year deal between Bell Media and New Metric Media –
– As previously announced, all-new six-pack featuring Jay Baruchel available to stream in Canada beginning June 29 exclusively on CraveTV –
TORONTO (June 6, 2018) – CraveTV and New Metric Media confirmed today that U.S. streaming platform Hulu has acquired the exclusive U.S. streaming rights to the first two seasons of the award-winning Canadian comedy series, LETTERKENNY, in a deal executed by series distributor DHX Media. Created by and starring Jared Keeso, the half-hour, small-town comedy is produced by New Metric Media in partnership with DHX Media and Playfun Games. Seasons 1 and 2 of the small-town comedy series will make their debut in the U.S. on Friday, July 13, only on Hulu.
“Thanks to Jared and our partners at New Metric Media, LETTERKENNY is more than just a brand builder for CraveTV, it’s officially made an indelible mark on pop culture,” said Tracey Pearce, President, Distribution and Pay, Bell Media. “With this sale to Hulu in the U.S., Bell Media is truly taking Canada’s premium content to the world. We’re excited to introduce LETTERKENNY to American audiences and deliver more of this fan-favourite series to audiences across Canada. ”
As announced in October, CraveTV entered into a 40-plus episode production commitment and comprehensive multi-year deal with LETTERKENNY producers New Metric Media, the recipient of the 2018 Innovative Producer Award for entrepreneurial achievement at the upcoming Banff World Media Festival’s Rockie Awards.
As announced last week, all-new LETTERKENNY returns to Canadian screens Canada Day weekend, with a fresh six-pack launching Friday, June 29 exclusively on CraveTV. Jay Baruchel guest stars as Hard Right Jay, a Tiki Torch-carrying out-of-towner, who stirs things up in Letterkenny.
Based on the internet sensation Letterkenny Problems, the half-hour comedy is a top performer and marquee program for CraveTV since its memorable launch on Super Bowl Sunday in 2016. LETTERKENNY took home two 2018 Canadian Screen Awards for Best Writing in a Comedy Program or Series, and Best Direction in a Comedy Program or Series. The series has also spawned brand extensions including sought after LETTERKENNYmerchandise and the highly successful Puppers Premium Lager, in partnership with Stack Brewery in Sudbury, available now at LCBO stores in Ontario. LETTERKENNY LIVE!, a packed 26-city tour featuring a 90-minute comedy experience starring Keeso, andLETTERKENNY cast Nathan Dales, K. Trevor Wilson, and Mark Forward kicked off in Halifax on February 28 and wrapped in Surrey on April 6.
LETTERKENNY revolves around the dustups Wayne (Jared Keeso) and his buds get into with their small-town rivals. The Hicks, The Skids, and The Hockey Players get at each other about the most mundane things, often ending with someone getting their ass kicked. Key residents of LETTERKENNY are Daryl (Nathan Dales), Wayne’s free-spirited younger sister Katy (Michelle Mylett), and Wayne’s buddy, Dan (K Trevor Wilson) – all Hicks. CSA-nominated Daniel Petronijevic stars as Hick McMurray while Dylan Playfair and Andrew Herr are hotshot Hockey Players “Jonesy” and “Reilly”. Tyler Johnston and Evan Stern are Skids Stewart and Roald, Mark Forward is the temperamental Coach of the Letterkenny Irish, and Tiio Horn is the badass leader of The Natives, Tanis.
The first four six-packs of LETTERKENNY, along with special episodes “Ferda Edition”, “The Haunting of MoDean’s II”, “St. Perfect’s Day,” “Super Hard Easter,” and the original web series Letterkenny Problems are currently streaming on CraveTV. LETTERKENNY is also available on iTunes and Google Play. Seasons 1 and 2 of LETTERKENNY are currently available on DVD wherever DVDs are sold.
LETTERKENNY is produced by New Metric Media, in partnership with DHX Media 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 and distributed by DHX Media. Jared Keeso is executive producer, co-writer, star, and creator, Jacob Tierney is executive producer, director, and co-writer and Mark Montefiore is executive producer for New Metric Media. Sarah Fowlie is Director, Original Programming, Comedy, Bell Media. Production Executive for Bell Media is Chris Kelley. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Original Programming, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is President, Content and Programming, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Bell Media.