New recruits dive into Chicken Soup

US prodco Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment has hired a pair of industry veterans as part of its expansion plans.

Elana Sofko

Elana Sofko has been named senior VP of business development and distribution, while Michael Winter has been hired as senior VP of programming and development.

Sofko has joined Chicken Soup from sports media firm World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where she had worked since 2013 and oversaw developments such as the launch of its subscription-based OTT service.

Winter, meanwhile, has joined from Speedway Boogie Productions, where he developed and produced projects for cablenets including HGTV, DIY, GAC, Bravo and A&E.

From 2010 to 2014, he was VP of development for Leopard Films, producer of House Hunters International. Prior to that he spent three years as director of programming for HGTV and DIY Network.

Michael Winter

From 2004 to 2006, Winter was the first director of programming for Comcast’s Outdoor Life Network, which became NBC Sports Network. He started his television career as a producer working on shows for ABC, Fox, MTV, VH1 and TLC.

“Ms Sofko and Mr Winter are essential hires to build our management team and accelerate the growth of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment,” said Scott W Seaton, vice-chairman and chief strategy officer of Chicken Soup.

“They will be driving forces in our plans to have multiple television and online series and build our own over-the-top/direct-to-consumer service. At a time when our themes of happiness, inspiration, hope and wellness are resonating strongly with audiences, our opportunity is greater than ever.”

The company was recently commissioned to adapt a South Korean format for Discovery Life in the US.