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Black Label Media

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Black Label Media is a Los Angeles based independent film production, television production, podcast, entertainment and finance company founded in 2013.[1] The company had a 25 percent stake in La La Land (2016).[1]

History

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The company was founded in 2013 by Molly Smith, the daughter of billionaire Frederick W. Smith who founded FedEx and invested in the company,[1] and Thad Luckinbill, an actor on Young and the Restless for 11 years, and twin brother Trent Luckinbill.[1]

The origins of Black Label Media were started as Belle Pictures, an affiliated production company of Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros.,[2] but the company soon underwent name change, with Black Label Media's intentions was to focus on adult, mid-level budget fare, for greater flexibility and autonomy.[3]

The name of the company was taken from the American Express Centurion "Black Card" and in part by Johnnie Walker Black whiskey.[1]

On April 12, 2016, the company launched its television division with a deal at ABC Signature and ABC Studios, to develop television and movie projects.[4] On April 24, 2017, two of Black Label Media's projects, like Only the Brave and Sicario: Day of the Soldado, were transferred from Lionsgate to Sony Pictures.[5]

On June 27, 2019, it expanded to podcasts with a deal at the Bleav Podcast Network.[6] On February 11, 2020, Alcon Entertainment teamed up with Black Label Media to purchase the film rights to Postscript.[7] On September 4, 2020, Sony Pictures Entertainment announced that it would acquire Devotion, with STX Entertainment handling international rights of the picture, with Black Label Media producing.[8]

Films

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Brooks Barnes (October 16, 2017). "How Black Label Media Became Hollywood's Hottest Indie Producers". Town & Country. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  2. ^ McNary, Dave (2012-03-09). "Molly Smith forms Belle Pictures with Alcon". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  3. ^ Piper-Shimizu, Stephane (2018-01-10). "Molly Smith". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  4. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2016-04-12). "Black Label Media Inks First-Look TV Deal With ABC Signature & ABC Studios". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2021-10-20. Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  5. ^ McNary, Dave (2017-04-24). "'Sicario' Sequel, 'Granite Mountain' Move From Lionsgate to Sony". Variety. Archived from the original on 2017-04-25. Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  6. ^ Hipes, Patrick (2019-06-27). "Black Label Media Expanding To Podcasts With Bleav Deal". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  7. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (2020-02-11). "Alcon Entertainment Picks Up Film Rights To 'P.S. I Love You' Follow-Up Novel 'Postscript'". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  8. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (2020-09-04). "Sony Pre-Buys Domestic On War Pic 'Devotion' With Jonathan Majors & Glen Powell, STX Boards Int'l". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2021-12-19.