Ex-Endemol Shine exec joins Van Toffler firm

Former Endemol Shine Beyond UK digital exec Randel Bryan has joined Van Toffler’s Gunpowder & Sky.

Bryan will lead a new international arm of the fledgling company, which former MTV entertainment chief Toffler launched with another ex-Endemol Shine Group exec, Floris Bauer, last year.

Gunpowder & Sky International will be based in London, with Bryan taking the post of managing director, reporting to company co-founder and president Bauer.

Upon launching the company, Toffler described Gunpowder & Sky as “the defiant lovechild of YouTube, the MCNs and Netflix”.

“We see tremendous opportunity in international markets with more OTT services emerging, and a clear demand for more youth-focused content,” said Bauer.

“As our first international hub, the UK market was a logical step, being well known for having an extraordinary creative talent pool and producing content that travels globally.”

Bryan was the MD of Endemol Shine Beyond UK, overseeing the launch of premium digital content channels such as Rule’m Sport, Icon UK, Legends of Gaming and AwesomesnessTV UK.

He also oversaw branded content entertainment, andled development of Endemol Shine Beyond UK’s first YouTube Red series, DanTDM Creates a Big Scene.

Bryan left Endemol Shine after the company decided to refocus its digital efforts on branded entertainment and channel commissions, and shuttered its YouTube network.

“With Randel coming on board, with his unique experience of building a digital-first premium content business, we are fulfilling an early ambition to accelerate our presence outside of the US,” said Bauer.