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Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Names Jeff Clanagan as CEO

Hart will shift to chairman as Thai Randolph promoted to president and COO

| October 14, 2020 @ 9:45 AM
Thai Randolph, Kevin Hart, Jeff Clanagan

Thai Randolph, Kevin Hart, Jeff Clanagan )Courtesy of Laugh Out Loud_

Kevin Hart’s comedy brand Laugh Out Loud on Wednesday promoted Jeff Clanagan to CEO, while Hart will shift into chairman of the operation.

Clanagan, Hart’s long-time business partner who previously served as president, will focus on the development, production, distribution and experiential aspects of the brand’s content.

Thai Randolph, in turn, will take over for Clanagan as president and chief operating officer, where her focus will be on strategy and operations, including overseeing corporate development, marketing, ad sales, finance and strategic partnerships.

As company chairman, Hart will continue to have an active role in the company’s overall comedic vision, content and talent development.

Also Read: Kevin Hart to Return to Quibi for 'Die Hart' Sequel

Both Randolph and Clanagan have worked for the company since Hart founded it in 2017, and have helped it involve from an OTT streaming service into a “broader global multi-platform comedy brand with an owned IP portfolio and O&O distribution network,” according to LOL. Together, they will continue to share the company’s business development.

Clanagan has appointed Candice Wilson as head of production and development, and Randolph has hired Manveer Sehmi as the new senior vice president and head of finance and operations. Tina Maher was promoted to vice president of integrated marketing & monetization, and Beej Gefsky was hired as vice president of content acquisition and distribution.

Also Read: NBC News Apologizes to Kevin Hart After His Photo Appears on Usain Bolt Story: 'Very Sorry About That'

Earlier this year, LOL signed a first-look content deal with NBCU/Peacock, which also took a small equity stake in the business. Under the deal, LOL will bring series, catalog and original content to Peacock.

“In just a few short years, we have built a global comedy brand that is giving a platform to emerging and diverse comedic voices. As leaders, Jeff and Thai have been a tremendous force in growing the company with me. Together, they have expanded our distribution network, brought in amazing content partnerships, and led the expansion and growth of our divisions across the company,” Hart said in a statement. “My move to Chairman and Jeff and Thai’s new roles, along with our additional new hires and appointments, allow us to continue building on our promise and will keep us on track to become the biggest comedy company in the world.”

'Hocus Pocus' and 12 Other Old Hits That Made Big Bucks Again in Theaters in 2020 (Photos)

  • Goonies Hocus Pocus Jurassic Park
  • Rami Malek Bohemian Rhapsody 20th Century Studios
  • back to the future movies sequels games universal marty mcfly michael j fox doc brown christopher lloyd Universal
  • Warner Bros.
  • black panther 4k hdr dolby vision Disney
  • Disney
  • Disney
  • Beauty and the Beast Disney
  • ghostbusters 1984 video games movies sequels Columbia Pictures
  • jaws Universal
  • The Goonies Warner Bros.
  • Jurassic Park Universal
  • Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back Disney
  • "Hocus Pocus" stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy Disney
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“The Empire Strikes Back,” “Jaws” and “The Goonies” all filled the void left by new blockbusters moving out of 2020

Over the weekend, the re-release of the 1993, campy, Halloween family comedy "Hocus Pocus" was the third highest grossing movie in America from theaters that are actually open. In just two weeks, it has made a cumulative $3 million, despite it also being available for digital rental and on Disney+. In that short time, it became the highest grossing re-release of 2020, and because we're in the midst of a pandemic, it's not surprisingly just shy of the top 50 highest grossing movies of the year. It hasn't made "Tenet" money, and especially not what movies were making before theaters closed down, but it's one of several classic, fan favorite movies that have put up respectable numbers for an audience craving any sort of movies on the big screen or at drive-ins. Here are 15 of the highest grossing re-releases from 2020 (all numbers from Boxofficemojo.com)

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