Kevin Hart‘s Hartbeat has appointed Jay Levine, who previously spent more than a decade at Warner Bros. and WarnerMedia, as CEO.
Levine takes over the chief executive role from Thai Randolph, who exited Hartbeat last fall after seven years with the company. As Hartbeat’s CEO, Levine will oversee all aspects of the multiplatform entertainment company’s activities including development, production, marketing, distribution and other exploitation of its intellectual property and experiences.
Most recently, Levine led strategy and operations for the WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, which included WB Pictures Group, HBO and HBO Max Programming, WB Television Group, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, WB Animation, TBS, TNT, DC, Consumer Products, Global Brands & Experiences, and other traditional and digital content businesses. He exited the company in October 2022 after Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia to form Warner Bros. Discovery.
During his tenure at WB, Levine worked with all main creative divisions across development, production, finance, business affairs, marketing and distribution. In addition, he oversaw the corporate business development and strategy group that led all M&A, strategic investments and divestitures. Levine was responsible for overseeing new WB digital partnerships with key talent, including LeBron James, Maverick Carter and Ellen DeGeneres, and built new formats of storytelling and next-generation content businesses leveraging WB brands and IP. He also managed WB’s ownership interest in the CW Network and led the worldwide studio operations group.
“With Jay’s extensive background, leadership and relationships, we will continue to build on our successes and bring value to our partners and consumers across all of our businesses,” Hart said in a statement. “With Jay at the helm, working closely with our seasoned leadership team, we’re going to keep setting the standard.”
Levine commented: “Kevin is a one-of-a-kind trailblazer in this industry. I am honored to partner with him to further scale and build Hartbeat’s businesses. I look forward to working with the team, along with all of Hartbeat’s incredible partners and brands, as we set out to take the company to the next level.”
In 2022, Hart merged his entertainment entities Hartbeat Productions and Laugh Out Loud to create Hartbeat, which raised $100 million from Abry Partners. The company’s three divisions are: Hartbeat Studios, which finances, develops and produces IP; Hartbeat Media, which creates experiences and manages content distribution (including its flagship consumer brand LOL! Network); and Pulse, the company’s brand-funded entertainment studio and marketing consultancy.
Hartbeat’s strategic partnerships include production deals with Netflix and NBCUniversal’s Peacock (which is also an equity investor in the company) and a longstanding pact with SiriusXM. Last year, Hartbeat released 23 projects across TV, film, digital and audio, nearly doubled its staff, and opened its new Los Angeles headquarters.
In January 2024, Hartbeat’s action thriller “Lift” premiered on Netflix and became the No. 1 film on the platform worldwide. Upcoming releases include the revival of the “Comic View” franchise on BET+, the coming of age comedy “Prom Dates” on Hulu, Season 10 of Hart’s athlete interview series “Cold as Balls” with longtime partner Old Spice, and new seasons of Hartbeat’s podcasts “Gold Minds” and “One Song.”
Hartbeat also is currently in development or production on projects including the drama “Fight Night” (with Peacock), which stars Hart, Don Cheadle, Taraji P. Henson, Samuel L. Jackson and Terrence Howard, and “The Backup” starring Keke Palmer (with Universal Pictures).
