GRB hires Endemol Shine alum

US-based distributor GRB Entertainment has made two senior hires, including a former Endemol Shine North America (ESNA) executive.

Vanessa McCullers

Vanessa McCullers, who was director of brand partnerships at ESNA, has been named VP of brand partnerships, while Chris Powers, former development executive and head of current programming at Jukin Media, has been hired as VP of digital development.

Powers, who developed and produced multiple digital series with Jukin for Facebook, Go90, Comcast and LOL, will lead GRB’s digital strategy, focusing on original programming for digital platforms and new revenue streams to leverage the company’s 4,000-hour library and international distribution arm.

“These key roles aim to expand our scope of storytelling and embrace the industry’s desire to connect consumers directly with authentic narratives across multiple platforms.” said GRBs chief operating officer Marielle Zuccarelli, to whom both McCullers and Powers will report.

Zuccarelli recently inked a producing partnership with Defy Media, marking another development for GRB in the branded and digital space.