Asylum Entertainment Group Rebrands

December 20, 2024 Kristin Brzoznowski

Asylum Entertainment Group has rebranded as Pantheon Media Group, which has a new management structure under Steve Michaels and Jen O’Connell.

Michaels, Asylum’s CEO, has been named chairman of the new entity. Jen O’Connell, co-founder and co-CEO of Velvet Hammer Media, will become CEO of Pantheon Media Group.

O’Connell will also continue to serve as co-CEO of Velvet Hammer with Rebecca Quinn. Velvet Hammer is a minority-owned Endeavor company (which made a strategic investment in Asylum in 2023), allowing an easy transition and organic expanded oversight for O’Connell.

ADVERTISEMENT

More info on ZDF Studios’ Silent War: In the Shadow of Atomic Bombs.

Pantheon Media Group houses more than 20 unscripted content labels. Labels include live producer Done+Dusted, premium documentary specialists Film 45 and Ladywell Films, true-crime unscripted producers Texas Crew Productions and limited series unscripted producer Breaklight Pictures, among others.

Earlier this year, the company announced a strategic and creative joint venture with Tyler Perry Studios for unscripted content. It also has first-look deals for unscripted content with companies such as Tom Morello’s Comandante Productions and the NY Post.

Michaels said: “Jen is a longtime friend and a respected executive and entrepreneur. Her pedigree and expertise are exactly what the company needs for this exciting next chapter of growth. I’m confident that under her leadership, our more than 20 unscripted labels will continue to thrive and produce innovative content.”

O’Connell added: “It has been wonderful building Velvet Hammer Media under the Endeavor banner with Rebecca Sanhueza and, through that relationship, working closely with Steve and his incredibly hard-working and talented team. Steve has curated a diverse powerhouse of global storytellers, delivering quality unscripted content under his impressive umbrella, and I am excited to work with this eclectic group of companies. I know that working with the Pantheon Media Group banner, Velvet Hammer is also positioned for further creative success in years to come.”