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Jesse Uram joins Ventureland: A new chapter in strategic partnerships
A new face in the creative studio
Jesse Uram has recently joined Ventureland, the innovative studio behind acclaimed projects like “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” and “Beckham”. Uram steps into the role of vice president of strategic partnerships, bringing his extensive experience to the company’s Los Angeles office. Here, he will collaborate closely with CEO Kerstin Emhoff and managing director John Battsek to broaden Ventureland’s network within the financial, creative, and distribution sectors.
A wealth of experience
Emhoff expressed her enthusiasm about Uram’s arrival, stating, “Jesse has a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a strong reputation in this industry. As Ventureland continues to grow exponentially, our ability to bring in the best partners and develop strong relationships across all entertainment platforms will support that growth. We are excited to have Jesse join this award-winning team!”
Battsek echoed these sentiments, adding, “We’re delighted to welcome Jesse to Ventureland. His experience in brand strategy is invaluable and I look forward to working with him on our growing documentary slate.”
A proven track record
Uram’s journey to Ventureland is marked by significant achievements. He spent five years at Westbrook Inc., the entertainment venture founded by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Initially serving as vice president of business development, he was later promoted to senior vice president of growth in 2021. During his tenure, Uram was instrumental in Westbrook’s expansion into new domains such as documentaries, video games, and audio. He also spearheaded strategic multi-year partnerships with major organizations like AEG, Tencent, Amazon, and P&G.
One of Uram’s notable accomplishments at Westbrook was enhancing the company’s relationship with Meta and securing a three-year deal for “Red Table Talk” with Facebook. This deal led to the creation of a companion podcast with iHeartMedia and the inclusion of VR originals.
The legacy of Ventureland
Founded by Battsek, the Oscar-winning producer of “Searching for Sugar Man”, along with Emhoff, Ali Brown, and Paul Hunter, Ventureland has a rich history of producing award-winning content. The studio’s films have garnered Emmys, BAFTA Awards, and Oscar nominations. Some of their notable works include “Wham!”, “The Rescue”, and “The Deepest Breath”.
Reflecting on his new role, Uram said, “The incredible leadership and creativity of Kerstin Emhoff, Ali Brown, and Paul Hunter, mixed with the unparalleled track record of John Battsek, have already delivered culture-defining results across nearly every facet of entertainment and advertising. We’re building a home for the best creatives and I’m thrilled to be joining the team as we plot expansion across brand partnerships, scripted and more.”
A diverse background
Before his time at Westbrook, Uram honed his skills at CAA (Creative Artists Agency), where he served as an executive on the global client strategy team for nearly a decade. During this period, he played a crucial role in establishing partnerships and strategies for a diverse array of clients, including Scooter Braun, Bad Robot, Daft Punk, Zillow, IMAX, Mayo Clinic, and Mattel. Uram also collaborated with CAA’s digital teams, overseeing the packaging of original series for emerging platforms, representing digital-first creators, and supporting some of the first VR projects with talents like Doug Liman.
A bright future ahead
With Uram’s extensive background and proven expertise, Ventureland is poised for continued growth and success. His strategic vision and ability to forge strong partnerships will undoubtedly contribute to the studio’s ongoing mission to create impactful and culturally significant content. As Ventureland continues to expand its horizons, the addition of Jesse Uram marks an exciting new chapter in the studio’s journey.
For cinema, TV series, and music enthusiasts, this development signals a promising future for Ventureland’s upcoming projects. With Uram’s strategic acumen and the studio’s creative prowess, audiences can look forward to more groundbreaking and thought-provoking content in the years to come.
