Topic co-owner Kino Lorber names Ed Carroll president, MHz Choice’s founder becomes advisor

Ed Carroll (Source: Kino Lorber)

Kino Lorber, the US distributor behind streaming duo Topic and MHz Choice, has upped former AMC exec Ed Carroll to become president, with Frederick Thomas stepping down to an advisory role.

Carroll joined the US-based distributor last year as chief strategy officer and worked across its shift into streaming, following the acquisition of MHz Choice.

Lisa Schwartz (Source: Kino Lorber)

He also worked on the joint venture deal for Topic with First Look Media and in November oversaw its latest SVOD service, Kino Film Collection, which was rolled out via Amazon’s Prime Video Channels.

Carroll, alongside fellow former AMC Networks exec Lisa Schwartz, joined Kino Lorber in January 2023 to work across its streaming and distribution activities.

Schwartz, who is chief revenue officer, will report into Carroll and oversees content sales and platform distribution, as well as Kino Lorber’s film division, which includes the Kino Film Collection SVOD.

Also reporting into Carroll will be COO Martha Benyam, who will oversee the MHz Choice and Topic streamers and the home entertainment group and Judy Silverman, was was recently promoted to become CFO. She was previously SVP of finance at First Look Media, which co-owns Topic.

Thomas, the founder and president of MHz Networks, will become a senior advisor, having sold his company to Kino Lorber in 2022. He retains a seat on Kino Lorber’s board.

Lorber said: “Ed’s top-shelf skills and experience profoundly deepen our executive bench, positioning us for overall profitable growth across theatrical, home entertainment, and our new digital paths.”

Carroll had left AMC in late 2021 after more than three decades with the firm. He will continue to report into Kino Lorber chairman & CEO Richard Lorber in his new role.

Kino Lorber’s slate includes films such as Kaouther Ben Hania’s Four Daughters and Nancy Buirski’s Desperate Souls, Dark City And The Legend Of Midnight Cowboy.