Envision Entertainment has recruited ex HBO Europe CEO Linda Jensen to its executive team.
Jensen brings decades of experience building major international businesses in emerging markets, including MTV Russia and HBO’s Central European business. She has grown businesses through a combination of broadcast licensing and acquisition, asset disposal, new product and country launches, and programming acquisition and production. Jensen will remain an Advisor and Board Member for Amediateka, the Russia and CIS “Home of HBO.”
With Jensen, Envision will seek out and acquire local IP with international potential. It will also take stakes in existing companies across the screen industry in complimentary fields such as publishing, gaming, and animation. Envision will initially focus on territories in CEE and East Asia (where Michael Nakan, Envision’s founder, has specialist knowledge), with plans to quickly expand into high-growth territories such as India, the Middle East, South East Asia, and Africa.
Alongside Jensen, Envision has also recruited David Barron to its production division, where he will bring decades of production experience. The division, led by Barron and Nakan, will manage Envision’s diverse slate of international premium projects in English, mixed language, and local languages.
Envision Entertainment was founded by Nakan in January 2021. It recently announced a content partnership with Japan’s Nippon TV, and will produce a UK-set series for an American streamer in 2022. Envision is in advanced discussions with financial partners and is currently in a round of fundraising.