Thunderbird Entertainment Appoints Hillary Zwick Turner as SVP, Scripted Content to Lead New L.A.-Based Development Hub

Rhea-AI Summary

Thunderbird Entertainment Group has appointed Hillary Zwick Turner as the new SVP, Scripted Content, signaling a strategic expansion into live-action scripted content globally. Turner, a former executive at Netflix, where she oversaw productions like Cobra Kai and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always, will report to Matthew Berkowitz.

The company aims to leverage Turner's expertise to identify top creators and develop premium content in the YA and family live-action genres. Thunderbird is currently actively producing Reginald the Vampire, Kim's Convenience spin-off Strays, and the film adaptation of Boot Camp.

This appointment aligns with Thunderbird's goal to enhance its scripted content portfolio alongside its animation and unscripted divisions, marking a pivotal moment in the company's growth strategy.

Positive

• Appointment of Hillary Zwick Turner as SVP, Scripted Content expected to enhance content development.
• Turner's experience at Netflix and Disney may attract top creators and projects.
• Thunderbird's ongoing productions and partnerships could drive revenue and visibility.

Negative

• Concerns about the continuity of leadership given the new appointment.
• Experience gap in the live-action scripted space could pose challenges.

Former Netflix exec Turner will oversee Thunderbird’s further expansion into live-action scripted content development and production globally

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. (TSXV:TBRD, OTC – THBRF) (“Thunderbird” or the “Company”) is very pleased to announce the appointment of Hillary Zwick Turner to the new role of SVP, Scripted Content.

Thunderbird Entertainment has appointed Hillary Zwick Turner to the new role of SVP, Scripted Content (Photo: Business Wire)

Reporting to Matthew Berkowitz, Thunderbird President and Chief Creative Officer, Turner will serve as the Company’s representative within the creative community to find best-in-class creators and hone in on new, exciting projects in premium scripted content, YA and family live-action spaces. She’ll also oversee scripted development and production for the Company’s new L.A.-based scripted hub.

Most recently, Turner served as EP on Netflix special Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always, dropping April 19. Prior to that she spent four years at Netflix, where she was the lead executive on Cobra Kai, Julie and The Phantoms and The Letter for the King. Turner also worked at Disney and led development on several series, including ground-breaking dramedy Andi Mack, and tween sitcoms Liv & Maddie and Good Luck Charlie.

The move builds on Thunderbird’s momentum in 2022 that saw the production of Reginald the Vampire (SyFy), which is now shooting a second season, Kim’s Convenience spin-off Strays Season 2 (CBC), and Boot Camp, the film adaptation of the hugely popular Wattpad story of the same name. Additionally, the Company optioned multiple New York Times bestsellers for TV and film and started crafting a slate of premium scripted dramas with Tuatara Media and its principal Barbara Wall. The former Lionsgate EVP of Television’s credits include Dead Ringers, starring Rachel Weisz (debuting on Amazon, April 21), The Exorcist (Fox), Mad Men, Nurse Jackie, House and 24. Turner will now also lead the partnership with Tuatara and Wall.

"We're so excited to have Hillary join the Company," said Berkowitz. "She is a tremendous talent and we’ve long felt premium scripted content is an important growth opportunity and the third pillar for Thunderbird, existing alongside our animation (Atomic Cartoons) and unscripted (Great Pacific Media) productions. And with our recent scripted productions from Blade Runner 2049 and Kim's Convenience to Reginald the Vampire and Boot Camp, it felt like the perfect time to take our scripted operations to the next level by bringing Hillary on-board and establishing our partnership with Barbara and Tuatara. We already have content in active network development and will be leveraging the entire Company to pursue and take advantage of global scripted opportunities."

“I’m thrilled to be joining Matt, Barbara and the team at Thunderbird to help build a global premium scripted content brand,” said Turner. “I look forward to pairing the Company’s well-established ethos of creator-driven content with the desire to tell authentic, meaningful stories for all audiences in the scripted space.”

ABOUT THUNDERBIRD ENTERTAINMENT
Thunderbird Entertainment Group is a global multiplatform production, distribution and rights management company, headquartered in Vancouver, with additional offices in Los Angeles, Toronto and Ottawa. Thunderbird creates award-winning programming for the world’s leading digital platforms, as well as Canadian and international broadcasters. The Company develops, produces, and distributes content through its Thunderbird Kids & Family (Atomic Cartoons), Thunderbird Unscripted (Great Pacific Media), formerly known as Thunderbird Factual, and Thunderbird Scripted brands. Productions under the Thunderbird umbrella include The Last Kids on Earth, Molly of Denali, Highway Thru Hell, Kim’s Convenience, Strays and Reginald the Vampire, among others. The Company also has a team dedicated to global distribution and consumer products. Thunderbird is on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @tbirdent. For more information, visit: www.thunderbird.tv

SOURCE: Thunderbird Entertainment Inc.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility of the adequacy or accuracy of this release, which has been prepared by management.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Thunderbird’s public communications may include written, or oral “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation. All such statements may not be based on historical facts that relate to the Company’s current expectations and views of future events and are made pursuant to the “safe harbour” provisions of applicable securities laws.

Forward-looking statements or information may be identified by words such as “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “may”, “will”, “plan”, “project”, “should”, “believe”, “intend”, or similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this document include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to further expanding into live-action scripted content development and production globally; finding best-in-class creators and honing in on new, exciting projects in premium scripted content; establishing a partnership with Barbara and Tuatara; and leveraging the entire Company to pursue and take advantage of global scripted opportunities to help build a global premium scripted content brand. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic and social uncertainties; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; product capability and acceptance; international risk and currency exchange rates; and technology changes. An assessment of these risks that could cause actual results to materially differ from current expectations is contained in the “Risks and Uncertainty” section of December 31, 2022 MD&A. The foregoing is not an exhaustive list. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to Thunderbird or that management believes to be less significant may also adversely affect the Company.

The forward-looking statements or information contained in this document represent our views as of the date hereof and as such information should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this document. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230411005064/en/

Media Relations:

Lana Castleman, Director, Marketing & Communications

416-219-3769

lcastleman@thunderbird.tv

Corporate Communications

Julia Smith

Finch Media

Julia@finchmedia.net

Investor Relations:

Glen Akselrod, Bristol Capital

905-326-1888 ext. 1

glen@bristolir.com

Source: Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of Hillary Zwick Turner's appointment at Thunderbird (THBRF)?

Hillary Zwick Turner is appointed as SVP, Scripted Content, to drive Thunderbird's expansion into live-action scripted content, leveraging her experience to attract top creators.

What productions is Thunderbird Entertainment currently working on?

Thunderbird is actively producing shows like Reginald the Vampire, Strays, and the film adaptation of Boot Camp.

How might Hillary Zwick Turner's experience impact Thunderbird's scripted content strategy?

Turner's prior roles at Netflix and Disney may enhance Thunderbird's ability to develop premium scripted content and establish critical industry relationships.

What are Thunderbird's future plans in scripted content following this appointment?

Thunderbird aims to strengthen its scripted content division by exploring global opportunities and developing a strong portfolio in YA and family genres.