(NEW YORK) Longtime Conde publishing vet Richard Beckman’s next venture, following his jag at Prometheus Global Media, is a branded entertainment venture called Three Lions Entertainment. The new company, co-founded with Tinseltown investment honcho Ron Burkle, whose portfolio includes a majority stake in industry buzzmakers Relativity Media, is decidedly more multiplatform compared to Beckman’s print-heavy past endeavors.
However, Beckman is taking a once-lucrative Conde property with him from his past. Fashion Rocks, the lucrative music-fashion TV special with ample tie-ins to glossies, last aired five years ago and will make a comeback next year. So will Movies Rocks, which aired in 2007.
The biz matchmaker for Beckman and Burkle was entertainment lawyer Joel Katz; he’s a Three Lions minority partner, and will be a board member and adviser at the company. (Perhaps he’s also the third lion in the company’s moniker as well…) As for Three Lions’ biggest distinguishing factor from the Hollywood competitive set? Cutting out the ad-procuring middle man between greenlit programming and the network, meaning TV producers and advertisers will deal with each other directly. Intriguing!
Most recently, Beckman was CEO at Prometheus Global Media, overseeing The Hollywood Reporter (for which he wooed Janice Min to helm), Adweek (relaunched during Beckman’s time there), and Billboard, for two and a half years until parting ways in June 2012. Further back, Beckman, was known as ‘Mad Dog’ around Conde quarters during his ruthless, financially fruitful stint at the publishing powerhouse. He left in 2010 after five years as president of Conde Nast Media Group, overseeing ad sales and events across mag titles. Previously, he also held roles as publisher of Vogue and GQ.
Beckman will hold the title of CEO at Three Lions.
ALEXANDRA ILYASHOV
