That was quick, at least for the recently ousted Paramount president Gail Berman, among the most powerful women in Hollywood. She has quickly turned around and launched a multiplatform production company along with Lloyd Braun, the formed Yahoo Media Group head, among other things. The new company, which is expected to be called Berman-Braun Productions, will bring together two former competitors who are longtime personal friends. Berman ran the entertainment division of the Fox network from July 2000 to March 2005. Braun led the entertainment division at ABC from July 1999 to April 2004.
No details are being announced, but they have been meeting with potential partners in Hollywood and seeking office space...the new company is expected to seek financing from as many as three partners, the NYT story says.
LAT: The pair is looking for a studio home for the company and is in discussions with Fox, Warner Bros., CBS and NBC Universal, where the two executives over the years have enjoyed strong relationships.
Variety: It is believed Berman/Braun favor the indie model of 1990s powerhouse Carsey-Werner, albeit with outside financing. That could mean forging several strategic alliances, both with traditional companies and alternative players, such as another Internet portal...also, Braun is known to be tight with NBC U’s Jeff Zucker, the story says.