Play all audios:
EXCLUSIVE: Former Rock the Bells and Paramount exec Rich Morris has been tapped for the newly created role of Senior Vice President of Content & Brands at Composition Media, the
animation studio led by _Hair Love_ producer Carl Reed. Morris will be responsible for spearheading licensing and merchandising initiatives related to Composition Media’s wholly owned IP as
well as its joint production ventures. Additionally, he will be tasked with recognizing potential collaborative opportunities, from both a traditional and non-traditional entertainment
standpoint, helping to drive brand integrations into projects, and steering marketing efforts for the company and its portfolio. Also joining the company are Issac “Ike” Reed, an avid
researcher of transmedia and digital media, and illustrator and artist Anthony Piper, who will serve respectively as Creative Director and Senior Art Director. WATCH ON DEADLINE The
additions come on the heels of a busy year for the company. Most recently, it announced an anime production partnership with Manuel and Geiszel Godoy’s Black Sands Entertainment, a leading
force in Black comic book publishing. Their first project together will be an anime series adaptation of the comic _Black Sands: The Seven Kingdoms_. Others in development at Composition
Media include the 2D animated adult-comedy_ Bad Grandmas_, a feature co-produced alongside Steve Harvey’s East 112; _Sky & Luna_, the first movie in an eight-picture slate partnership
with Labid Aziz’s People of Culture Studios and Man of Action Entertainment; and _Catapult Feud_, a TV series based on the critically acclaimed board game of the same name. Stated company
founder Reed on the hirings: “At Composition Media, we believe in the power of diverse voices coming together to create stories that resonate with a wide audience. We understand that a
company is only as good as the talent it has. The addition of Rich, Ike, and Anthony’s profound expertise and seasoned backgrounds will amplify Composition Media’s tireless commitment to
share innovative and inclusive narratives.” Added Morris, “I am honored to join Composition Media and bring my unwavering passion and experience to this dynamic team. The profound vision
held by Carl Reed harmonizes seamlessly with my steadfast dedication to fostering inclusive storytelling. I am thrilled to embark on this journey alongside a collective that not only crafts
enthralling content but amplifies voices and inspires through its empowering narratives.” Coming to Composition with nearly 20 years of expertise in marketing, branding, and strategic
business solutions, Morris previously served as VP of Global Commerce for Rock the Bells, the entertainment brand led by LL Cool J. During his tenure, he built the brand’s licensing and
merchandising vertical, restructured the ecommerce business, and built strategies for both areas that led to long-term growth. He’s also held multiple VP roles at Paramount, where he
executed major global trade campaigns and events and transformed intellectual properties into revenue-generating franchise powerhouses, including the expansion of BET into the consumer
products arena. Reed began his career at Brainfreeze Interactive before going on to found the digital arm of Reed’s Lion Forge Comics, where he introduced tales like _Quincredible _and
_Trimaxx_. Dedicated to nurturing emerging storytellers, he also established Big Fat Hero, which is described as “a Geektainment Developer merging geek culture with cutting-edge
entertainment.” Boasting over two decades of experience across television, digital platforms, and print media, Piper’s portfolio encompasses comic books, animated films, and campaigns for
the likes of Netflix, Brisk and The New York Times. He’s been involved with such iconic Marvel IP as _X-Men_, _Guardians of the Galaxy_, and _Spider-Man_, while doing animation work for
Facebook, Warner Bros and Fox. Prior to Composition Media, Reed co-founded Lion Forge Comics and Lion Forge Animation, there serving as President and Chief Creative Officer. While with Lion
Forge, he produced Matthew Cherry’s Oscar-winning animated short _Hair Love_ — which spurred the Max series _Young Love_, on which he’s also a producer. Other projects there included the
Annie and NAACP Image Award-nominated animated musical series _Rise Up, Sing Out_ and the Emmy-nominated animated musical series _Rhymes Through Times_. Reed won an Emmy for his work on the
Nine PBS short series _Drawn In _earlier this year.