Media startup ATTN: is turning its attention to television.
The Los Angeles company, which produces issue-driven videos and articles for the web, has tapped Jessie Surovell as its new head of television development. In her new role, Surovell will oversee all scripted and unscripted output for ATTN: across television and streaming platforms.
Surovell comes to ATTN: from The Content Group, the new production company formed by Asylum Entertainment co-founder Steve Michaels. She had been with the company since January of this year and served as vp content strategy. Before The Content Group, Surovell was vp development at Pop, the cable network operated as a joint venture of CBS and Lionsgate. She also spent time at Shed Media U.S. and Ricochet Television.
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“As ATTN: continues to develop more original, longform projects for television and streaming services, we wanted to bring someone onboard with the vision and experience to make the next ‘must watch’ series,” said ATTN: co-founder Matthew Segal. “Jessie’s background and proven track record in development makes her a unique talent, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome her to the team.”
The executive comes to ATTN: at a time when digital media companies are increasingly looking for ways to bring their IP to television. Vice, BuzzFeed and Vox Media all led the early wave of online publishers who set up shop in Los Angeles with an eye for selling more projects into Hollywood. Now companies like Axios and Crooked Media are also bringing their voices to television.
ATTN:, which has long focused on video content, has also made longer form content more of a priority. The company struck a co-production deal with ABC News in 2017 that saw Segal join the broadcast news group as a contributor. The companies recently co-produced documentary For Our Lives: Parkland, which aired on Freeform in April. ATTN: is also currently in development on a Paramount Television-produced adaptation of Nev Schulman-hosted digital series America Versus. In addition, ATTN: has a slate of four series at Facebook Watch and is developing digital shows for Instagram’s IGTV and Snapchat. As part of her role at ATTN:, Surovell will be tasked with developing longform projects and also adapting ATTN:’s library of shortform series into linear television projects.
“I’ve always been most excited by the challenge of building something new and innovative, and have fallen in love with the ATTN: brand,” said Surovell. “I’m so impressed with the success they’ve achieved in such a short amount of time and am beyond thrilled to join ATTN: as they continue this push into longform content. I look forward to helping solidify them as a major player in the new television landscape.”
ATTN: was founded in 2014 by Segal and Jarrett Moreno. The company counts Bill Maher, Troy Carter, Evolution Media Capital and Tribune Media as investors. Last year, Valerie Jarrett joined the company as a senior adviser.
