Newen Studios names Levard as head of new digital-first division

Olivier Levard

Newen Studios has unveiled a new division called Newen Digital. Headed by Olivier Levard, it will be dedicated to digital production and distribution.

Outlining the unit’s remit, Newen Studios said Newen Digital will cover social platforms, AVOD and FAST, also exploring new ways of producing and distributing innovative content. “The business has two principle goals,” said the company, “to be responsible for supporting digital extensions and original content made by Newen production companies, and distributing IP from Newen Connect’s catalogues and digital first initiatives on digital platforms.”

In a market where economic models are constantly changing, Newen said the business has been developed to be an innovations lab, looking to generate value for the Newen Group’s companies and IP. Levard, in the newly-created role of director, Newen Digital, said: “With the creation of Newen Digital, we aim to put a team of digital platform experts at the disposal of all the group’s production units as we seek to drive forward content created by our teams as well as our partners into the digital space at the same time as creating new IP for these platforms. The business will be focused on delivering against our digital ambitions and seeking out new audiences.”

In 2022, Newen Studios brought oversight of its digital channels in-house and recruited digital media experts to launch its MCN (Multi-Channel Network) on YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat and TikTok, resulting in 250 million views on YouTube in the first year through channels like Faites entrer l’accusé, Plus Belle La Vie, L’Effet Papillon and 100% DOCS. In creating its own business to support its development slate in 2023, Newen Studios is also looking to offer these services to all production companies within the group and by expanding its MCN into international markets.