Strand Entertainment Launches Digital Division

EXCLUSIVE: Strand Entertainment, the L.A.-based management and production company launched earlier this year by Jeff Golenberg and Jason Shapiro, is launching a new digital division in partnership with Amazon Studios/Prime Video alum Lee Stimmel, Deadline has learned.

Through its new division, Strand will look to uncover, nurture and empowering social native creators across various industries. Through personalized guidance, strategic partnerships, and unwavering support, they aim to play a part in shaping the future of talent representation.

Recently starting his own talent-led branding company Giganticus Partners, unrelated to Strand’s new endeavor, Stimmel prior to that served as Head of Global Partnership Marketing for Amazon Studios/Prime Video, spearheading alliances between entertainment businesses, talent, brands, networks, and digital platforms. In 2020, he launched an Influencer Marketing department and created the company’s first-ever Prime Video Creator Community. Stimmel als o led a global social marketing team, overseeing digital marketing plans for Amazon Originals and grew the Prime Video social channels to over 120M global fans.

Previously, Stimmel was Head of Original Content for Sony Music Entertainment, in his first year creating a slate of more than 60 show concepts for digital, TV and film, and selling them to various platforms including Google, Netflix and MTV. He was also responsible for a first-of-its-kind development deal with Pepsi and a partnership with Lorne Michael’s Above Average, the digital division of Broadway Video. Prior to Sony, Stimmel was Head of Business Development for Samsung North America where he drove brand partnerships, including alliances with the National Hockey League, rock band Maroon 5 and Conde Nast.

Launched following the dissolution of Silver Lining Entertainment, the company founded by Golenberg, Shapiro and Sam Maydew, Strand Entertainment’s best known clients include Wilmer Valderrama, Jason Isaacs, Katherine Waterston, Mike Colter, Rosie Perez, Derek Hough, Nicholas Pinnock, Margarita Levieva, Harold Perrineau, Robin Tunney and Sandrine Holt, among others. Thus far, the company has also built an impressive roster of emerging talent that includes Meg Donnelly (Zombies), Jess Hong (3 Body Problem), Luke Newton (Bridgerton), Cooper Koch (Monsters: Menendez Brothers), Aurora Perrineau (Kaos), Andrew Liner (Ransom Canyon), Dana Heath (Danger Force), and Daisy Jelley (How to Have Sex).

On the producing side, Golenberg and Shapiro have several projects in development, including an Untitled Meg Donnelly Project at Disney+ with Kapital Entertainment, Dance Dads at ABC with client Derek Hough, and Deadheading at FX alongside producer Rob Golenberg. Additionally, there’s a pair of features in the works: Heavyweights, with client Nicholas Pinnock and his Silver Milk Productions, and Marmalade for Hulu with client Keir O’Donnell directing.