IDW Media Taps Former Paramount TV Chief as New CEO

Veteran TV executive Kerry McCluggage, who joined the IDW Media Holdings board of directors last year, has been appointed as the company’s new CEO.

The former Paramount TV chairman and Universal TV president will replace current CEO and founder Ted Adams, who is taking a brief sabbatical and will return to IDW in a new creative role. Since 2002, McCluggage has served as president of Craftsman Films, an independent production company that develops motion picture and TV product.

Prior to forming Craftsman Films, McCluggage was chairman of the Paramount Television Group for ten years. During his time with Paramount, McCluggage shepherded many award-winning hit series, including the Emmy Award-winning Frasier and Cheers, as well as the Star Trek franchise and the magazine series Entertainment Tonight. Before joining Paramount, McCluggage was with Universal. Additionally, McCluggage is a founding shareholder of Old West Investment Management. As both an industry executive and independent producer for more than 40 years, McCluggage has also invested in media companies, including Allumination FilmWorks.

IDW Media Holdings’ chairman, Howard Jonas, stated, “As chairman of Paramount TV, Kerry grew that operation from $700 million to $3.2 billion in just over a decade, making it one of the world’s leading television production companies. His leadership abilities and keen understanding of the entertainment industry have also enabled him to achieve success with his own film and television production company Craftsman Films. Similarly, his contributions as a member of the IDW board of directors have provided him with beneficial insights necessary to continue IDW’s story of success as the company seeks to expand upon its business model.”

McCluggage said, “IDW has demonstrated impressive achievements in each of its core divisions. Its media unit, encompassing publishing and games as well as reimagining the entertainment production model, has achieved tremendous success and is poised for phenomenal growth. There is also a great team of passionate, talented professionals that I am eager to lead and learn from as we continue to build upon the incredible foundation created by Ted Adams and others over the past 20 years.”

“I’m excited to see where Kerry takes the company I’ve been building for the last 20 years,” added Adams. “I’m looking forward to taking a brief sabbatical and returning to IDW in a new role, and have complete confidence that the company will continue to build upon its current trajectory in the very capable hands of Kerry McCluggage. I leave him with very dedicated and smart teams across all three of our divisions. I’m proud of the work we’ve been able to do together.”