Endemol Shine’s True Entertainment & Original Media Merge

NEW YORK: True Entertainment and Original Media are combining their businesses as the jointly run Truly Original, which will remain a subsidiary of Endemol Shine North America.

True Entertainment founders Glenda Hersh and Steven Weinstock, who are also co-presidents and co-CEOs of Original Media, will run the new entity. Truly Original will maintain the True Entertainment and Original Media creative labels for brand consistency, and Truly Original will remain dedicated to producing programming distinct to each brand—for example, The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Vanity Fair Confidential from True Entertainment, and Ink Master and Swamp People from Original Media.

Truly Original will be moving to a new New York City office space in early 2017, bringing together development and programming, production and post-production, business, legal, talent and all other departments under one roof.

Hersh and Weinstock said, “We are genuinely thrilled to be announcing Truly Original, which represents a blending of the respective strengths of two successful production companies, while maintaining the creative identity of each. We look forward to continuing to execute at the highest levels of creativity and innovation for our network partners, and to offering our executive and production talent even greater opportunity as our business continues to evolve.”

Cris Abrego, chairman of Endemol Shine Americas and CEO of Endemol Shine North America, “With their sharp creativity and singular vision for leadership, Steven and Glenda have built and shepherded two of our industry’s most prolific, successful and distinguished production companies. Their value to Endemol Shine is immense and we’re excited to support them in this exciting Truly Original endeavor.”