MWM Announces Exclusive Partnership With Hebru Brantley To Develop Content For Newly Formed Division, MWM Universe
MWM (Madison Wells Media) today announced a partnership with Hebru Brantley and his Angry Hero Productions to create custom IP for their newly launched division MWM Universe. MWM Universe (MWMU) is a new division from MWM designed to be an IP engine focused on cross-platform content creation while also acquiring and enhancing intellectual property across media including film, TV, immersive gaming, comics, books and beyond. The first deal developed under MWMU with Angry Hero Productions will build a universe of stories, characters and content around Hebru Brantley's "Flyboy" character and the "Nevermore" world.
As part of its first major initiative, MWMU has tapped one of the most successful stars of the Chicago art world, Hebru Brantley becoming the exclusive partner to help develop an entire world around his iconic "Flyboy" character. MWMU will work with Brantley to breathe life into the many characters he has created through the "Nevermore" IP including central character Flyboy and ancillary characters Lil Momma, Vigil, and Mr. Nobody, among others. These characters provide the inspiration and framework to develop immersive and universal stories that will live across platforms.
"I am very excited to be working with MWM to further develop this already rich story. Having known Gigi for years, I relish the opportunity to finally work with her directly on a project that is so meaningful to me. I am looking forward to creating a Flyboy saga that will carry on through generations and live in multiple mediums," said Brantley of the partnership.
In addition to "Flyboy", MWMU will oversee, acquire and create new IP in order to develop properties into complete worlds, taking advantage of the exploding set of platforms available to creators and new consumer behaviors established through emerging modes of consumption. MWM controls existing IP, like "Enders Game," the bestselling book by Orson Scott Card, which was made into a 2013 feature film and is being developed for television by MWM Studios (formerly OddLot Entertainment). By establishing MWMU, MWM will elevate their existing ties in the industry across many forms of media and distribution including MWM strategic investment partner Wonderstorm, a story and play studio that is currently building an immersive world to be distributed as a Netflix Original animated series and a AAA-quality video game.
"MWMU allows us to empower storytellers to create new universes that we can deliver to audiences across the globe on the platforms they love most," says MWM co-founder and CEO Gigi Pritzker. "We are excited to establish this division of MWM that encourages strategic distribution and expansion into an entire world of consumable content, working with talented creators to breathe new and extended life into the stories we build. As a Chicagoan, I have enjoyed Hebru's art, and Flyboy in particular, for a long time. It's exciting that MWM now has the chance to work with him and grow such magical characters while building worlds and stories around them."
"We believe that now more than ever audiences crave enduring stories, characters and experiences and want to engage with them across platforms. By launching this division we allow content to go beyond the confines of just one medium and live beyond just one iteration of creativity while simultaneously building strong and lasting relationships with major consumers and fans," says MWM co-founder and President Clint Kisker.
Joining MWM to oversee the business operations of the newly established division is Morgan Kruger, who as EVP Operations will be responsible for the core strategy and operations of the division. In her role she will create, acquire, and monetize intellectual property for both emerging and traditional media. Prior to joining MWMU, Kruger served on the Content Acquisition team at Hulu where she created and implemented content strategy for the streaming platform through the negotiation and execution of key content deals. Kruger has also previously held roles in Disney's Corporate Strategy and Business Development group, DreamWorks and UBS Investment Bank. She has a BA from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
ABOUT MWM
MWM (Madison Wells Media) was founded by Emmy Award-winning producer, Gigi Pritzker in partnership with Clint Kisker in 2015 and was named one of Fast Company's Top Ten Most Innovative Companies in Hollywood for 2017.
The company empowers talent to create bespoke storytelling across film, TV, immersive VR/AR content, mobile gaming, digital video and live theater, including 2016's Golden Globe and Academy Award Best Picture nominated Hell or High Water, Tony award winning musical Million Dollar Quartet, and Emmy Award nominated and Ron Howard directed television drama Genius (Fox21, NatGeo April 2017), as well as Jon Favreau's magical Gnomes & Goblins VR universe, winner of Best Overall Experience at Cinequest 2017, which the company created in partnership with Wevr.
MWM consists of four individually branded operating divisions: MWM Studios (film/TV), MWM Live (live theater) MWM Immersive (immersive media), and MWM Universe. MWM is also a strategic investor, with a portfolio of minority holdings in companies including STX Entertainment, Wevr, Fandor, Atom Tickets, The Void, Wonderstorm and Breakwater.
ABOUT ANGRY HERO
Angry Hero is a company started by world-renowned artist, Hebru Brantley. The company was founded with an eye toward creating and developing intellectual property for transmedia purposes. The company's first project, Flyboy, is an adaptation of Brantley's iconic flagship character that has appeared in paintings, murals, sculptures, music videos, and commercials around the world. Beyond Flyboy, Angry Hero is actively creating stories and characters that it hopes will have cultural and global significance for many years to come.
