Dan Cohen brings a wealth of experience to Black Bear, having held key leadership roles at some of the industry's biggest players. Most recently, he served as Paramount's chief content licensing officer and president of Republic Pictures, a position he departed from earlier this year ahead of Paramount's anticipated merger with Skydance Media. Prior to his tenure at Paramount, Cohen spent two decades at Disney/ABC, where he was the executive vice president of Pay Television and Digital Sales for Home Entertainment and Television Distribution at Walt Disney Studios.

His extensive background in licensing, distribution, and strategic sales makes him a crucial addition as Black Bear aims to bolster its post-theatrical licensing infrastructure. The indie studio has an ambitious slate, planning to release 10-12 independent films annually, including upcoming titles like “Wicker,” “Wife and Dog,” and “A Woman in the Sun.” Cohen's expertise will be vital in ensuring these films find broad audiences across various platforms.

Black Bear CEO Teddy Schwarzman emphasized the importance of Cohen's arrival, stating, "Dan brings an exceptional combination of licensing expertise, industry relationships and strategic vision." Schwarzman added that Cohen's experience "will be invaluable on multiple fronts, as we continue to invest in our U.S. distribution business."

A significant part of Cohen's new remit is the establishment of Black Bear Digital Networks. This new unit is designed to assist large independent content owners in monetizing their programming, akin to traditional syndication, across a diverse array of digital channels. This initiative marks a forward-thinking approach to content distribution, recognizing the growing demand for flexible and accessible content delivery methods.

The inaugural clients already onboarded for Black Bear Digital Networks highlight its potential impact, including Sinclair Networks, popular streaming service Tubi, CJ ENM, and the National Wrestling Alliance. This diverse roster underscores the broad appeal and utility of the new platform.

Cohen himself expressed enthusiasm for his new role and Black Bear's vision. "Black Bear has built an excellent brand over the past 15 years, with a strong track record of championing original stories," he remarked. He sees a significant opportunity to "expand the ways Black Bear films reach audiences while also creating new avenues for third-party content owners through Black Bear Digital Networks." This dual focus on Black Bear's own productions and facilitating distribution for other independents positions the company as a key player in the evolving media landscape.