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Jeff Gaspin Joins Primary Wave Entertainment As President

October 7th, 2016

VETERAN MEDIA EXECUTIVE AND FORMER NBC CHAIRMAN JEFF GASPIN NAMED PRESIDENT, PRIMARY WAVE ENTERTAINMENT

Los Angeles, CA (October 7, 2016)- As part of a growth strategy to bolster original content production for the company and increase their overall television and digital programming slates, Primary Wave Entertainment, the leading U.S. based independent studio, management, music, production and entertainment media company has acquired Gaspin Media and has named veteran media executive Jeff Gaspin, former Chairman, NBC Universal Television, to the newly created position of President, Primary Wave Entertainment. He will also serve as a member of the company’s management board. The announcement was made today by David Guillod and Lawrence Mestel, Founders and Co-CEOs of Primary Wave Entertainment. Gaspin will begin effective immediately and will be based out of the company’s Los Angeles office. Gaspin Media is a production and consulting company formed in 2012 by Jeff Gaspin. With over a dozen projects on air and in development at broadcast and cable networks, Gaspin Media series include “To Tell the Truth” (ABC), “First Impressions with Dana Carvey” (USA), “Fit to Fat to Fit” (A&E), “Match Made in Heaven” (WEtv) and the syndicated series “The Preachers” (Telepictures). Gaspin will continue to serve as executive producer of the above named titles. As President of Primary Wave Entertainment, Gaspin will have input on all aspects of Primary Wave business operations and will lead the expansion of original content across television and digital platforms. Gaspin will oversee a diverse, combined television series portfolio of unscripted and scripted programming across multiple genres, including CeeLo Green’s “The Good Life” (TBS), “Being Mary Jane” (BET) starring Gabrielle Union, and the international hit series “The 100,” created by Bobby Moresco starring Michael Nyqvist. Gaspin will also develop and produce programming across multiple linear and non-linear platforms and he will oversee and pursue distribution opportunities for all multi-platform content across broadcast, mobile and emerging technologies.

Additionally, Primary Wave has produced the feature film “The Coldest City” starring Charlize Theron, and “Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck” (HBO). They are currently producing and cofinancing “Loudermilk” (AT&T Audience) from Peter Farrelly and Emmy Award winning writer Bobby Mort.
Guillod and Mestel said: “Primary Wave is a talent-centered entertainment company where actors, artists, directors, writers and creative minds can do their best work. Jeff is a skilled, innovative leader who will make a powerful impact on our business. As we continue to build momentum across our television and digital portfolios, it has become more important than ever to establish an effective operating structure for Primary Wave. We will continue to grow our executive ranks with key new hires as we pursue an ambitious expansion of our original content slate.”
Gaspin added: “I have had first-hand dealings with Primary Wave’s passionate creative executives and I am impressed with their roster of talent and Larry’s and David’s leadership and vision. My principal focus will be to build the company’s television and digital assets, which includes delivering world-class content to platforms across the globe. Since content, both traditional and digital, is in such high demand all over the world, I can’t think of a more exciting way to spend the next phase of my career.”

Jeff Gaspin is a leader and innovator in broadcast, cable and digital media. Over the past 30 years, his blue chip resume and accomplishments include serving as Chairman of NBC Universal Television, where he was responsible for all business, creative and distribution for the company’s entertainment television portfolio, which generated more than $10 billion in revenue and nearly $3 billion in operating profits. He was responsible for two broadcast networks- NBC Entertainment and Telemundo, and the most profitable group of cable networks including USA Network, SyFy, Bravo and Oxygen. At NBC, his successes also included acquiring The Voice, shepherding Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and developing Grimm. He spearheaded the company’s aggressive move into online video, leading early deals with Netflix. He also played a key role in the formation of Hulu. Throughout his career, Gaspin defined the art of niche programming on cable, launching breakout hits “Behind the Music” and “Pop-Up Video” on VH1 and transforming Bravo with cultural phenomena like “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and “Project Runway.” As head of alternative programming at NBC, Gaspin developed the hit shows “The Apprentice,” “The Biggest Loser” and “Deal or No Deal.” In addition to being nominated for two Emmy Awards, Gaspin was honored with the industry’s Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award and Anti-Defamation League’s Distinguished Entertainment Industry Award. In 2012, he formed Gaspin Media, the production and consulting company whose clients include AETN Networks, Clear Channel Communications, Discovery Networks, ITV Studios, Pilgrim Studios and multiple private equity firms. In 2014, he launched TAPP, an over-the-top subscription platform connecting niche personalities with their super fans. Gaspin serves as Chairman of TAPP. He is on the advisory boards of TowerBrook Captial and Taboola. He holds an M.B.A. in strategic planning from the New York University Graduate School of Business Administration and a B.A. from the State University of New York at Binghamton. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife Karen, and has three children, Max, Samantha and Ben.