AfterShock Media taps Carrie Stein & Wynn Wygal for new film & TV division

The newly formed AfterShock Media has made a sweep of new senior hires and promotions following its recent merger.

The company was created following the union of Homicide Hunter distributor Rive Gauche and AfterShock Comics, the publishing company behind series such as Animosity and A Walk Through Hell, just over a week ago.

Rive Gauche will use its global distribution operation to sell the publisher’s IP into new formats, including TV, film, gaming and podcast products. Rive Gauche CEO Jon Kramer, also the CEO of AfterShock Comics, assumed the role of CEO at AfterShock Media, overseeing both companies.

Wynn Wygal

The new roles are all within Rive Gauche’s new film and TV division and see entertainment executive Wynn Wygal hired to the position of SVP of film and TV. Reporting to Lee Kramer, president of film and TV, Wygal joins from Parkes + MacDonald, where she served as VP of production, and will now oversee the development team and package AfterShock IP to domestic buyers for TV and film.

Former Kew Media Group veteran Carrie Stein has also been brought on as a global film & TV consultant, charged with leading global expansion in both local language production and international co-production opportunities for AfterShock IP.

Stein will work in tandem with current executives Dan Shires, VP of film & TV UK and Jeff Ford, senior executive of film and TV UK. Prior to working with AfterShock, Stein held several high-profile roles, including heading up global scripted television at eOne and most recently at the now defunct Kew Media Group.

Meanwhile, Christina Poray joins AfterShock Media from Kapital Entertainment, serving as director of development for global film & TV and working closely with Carrie Stein, taking AfterShock IP to the international market for local language and co-productions while also supporting domestic efforts.

Carrie Stein

Ryan Carroll has been promoted to director of comics/film and TV liaison, responsible for bridging the gap between publishing and film/TV.  Prior to joining AfterShock in 2019 as development co-ordinator, he served in production management roles for NBC Universal and Endemol.

Justina Hemperek also joins as SVP of acquisitions and sales, and will work within Rive Gauche’s distribution division. Additionally, entertainment publicity veteran Aaron Marion, who has worked with AfterShock since its inception, assumes the role of director of publicity, while Cara Stechmann joins as development assistant, working directly with the film and TV division.

“As AfterShock Comics and Rive Gauche begin their strategic alliance as AfterShock Media, we’re committed to having the very best talent in place supporting and driving our global growth,” said CEO Jon Kramer. “AfterShock Media now has a team in place to exploit its growing collection of IP through Rive Gauche’s TV production and distribution capabilities.”