David Ozer named president of new producer-distributor Strong Studios

David Ozer, former CEO of Landmark Studio Group (LSG) and president of IDW Entertainment, has been named president of Strong Studios, a production and distribution company being launched by US holding company Ballantyne Strong.

David Ozer

New York-based Strong Studios, which will operate as part of the Strong Entertainment division, will develop and produce original feature films and TV series, in addition to acquiring third-party rights to content for global distribution.

At launch, Strong Studios has a distribution agreement with Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment’s Screen Media. Two scripted projects have already been greenlit under the deal – the previously announced Safehaven and Flagrant, with both set to go into production later this year.

Safehaven, based on a graphic novel of the same name, is a supernatural horror series about a female comic-book artist whose drawings come alive to haunt her. The project is produced by James Seale (Throttle), Kevin Duncan (Juncture) and Michael Bay’s 451 Media. Production is scheduled to begin in Canada in the middle of the year.

Original dramedy series Flagrant will star actor Michael Rapaport (Atypical, White Famous), who is also executive producing. Screenwriter Peter Hoare and actor and writer Pete Correale serve as co-writers and showrunners.

LSG, owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, launched in 2019. Other projects that were being shepherded by Ozer during his time at LSG will now be developed and produced under Strong Studios as part of the content acquisition deal. Those projects include Shadows in the Vineyard, starring Judith Light and Noah Wyle; drama series Heartbeat, co-created by celebrity DJ couple Kiss and M.O.S.; and horror series MidNightMares.

“The launch of Strong Studios is a natural but also potentially transformative next step for our entertainment business,” said Mark Roberson, CEO of Ballantyne Strong, which specialises in providing services and products to the cinema exhibition industry, theme parks and other entertainment-related markets.

“We plan to employ a disciplined and conservative approach to development of new projects, utilising coproduction and pre-licensing to limit financial exposure, while building a content library with high potential for commercial success.”

Ozer added: “With the growing worldwide demand for content and the acceleration of new streaming services, the environment is ripe for Strong Studios to thrive.

“With the IP acquisition of a robust slate of content and distribution deal with Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, we are able to hit the ground running with two series ready to head into production, while we begin developing our own pipeline of original IP.”

Ozer was CEO at Landmark Studio Group from 2018 to 2022, overseeing development and production of projects including Willy’s Wonderland starring Nicolas Cage. Prior to that he spent five years as the founding president of IDW Entertainment, where he oversaw Wynonna Earp for Syfy and two seasons of Dirk Gently for BBC America.

Ozer is also former executive VP of television at Starz Media, senior VP of domestic television at RHI Entertainment, head of worldwide distribution at Sonar, senior VP of sales at DIC Entertainment and VP of sales at Sony Pictures Television.