Former Netflix content chief Cindy Holland will lend her expertise to David Ellison and Skydance as Netflix looks to complete its acquisition of Paramount Global.
Holland has been appointed as a “senior advisor” to Ellison and Skydance, “where she will provide expertise and insight into the streaming business.”
Holland previously served as global CEO of Sister, a production company founded in 2019 by Elizabeth Murdoch Stacey Snyder and Jane Featherstone. Holland joined Sister in July 2023 with a mission to grow the company’s global manufacturing business.
“Sister has always been synonymous with quality storytelling, creative integrity and an extraordinary team, and I’m incredibly proud to have been a part of it,” Holland said in a statement. “I am grateful to Liz, Jane and the entire team for their partnership and look forward to working with them on future projects. I have a long-standing relationship with David and the senior team at Skydance and have worked closely with them. I am energized by the opportunity to work in this field.”
But with global TV production down, Sister has decided to focus on the parts of its business that are already profitable and close its Los Angeles office at the end of 2024. The company still plans to produce and sell programming. Although aimed at the US market, the focus shifts to the UK core.
Sister CFO Chris Fry will serve as interim CEO while the company searches for a new leader.
“Cindy is an excellent and talented executive and anyone who works with her will be lucky. I truly appreciate her stewardship and leadership and look forward to working with her for many years in her new capacity. I hope so,” Murdoch added. “These are difficult times for production companies and difficult decisions are being made. The board, like myself, are committed to doubling down on our track record of producing successfully from the UK to audiences around the world. We believe that we can significantly drive sustainable growth and strengthen the Group.The excellent UK base of our sister film and television business, which sells and produces for the US and internationally, will be our model for the future. We appreciate the work of the SISTER US film and television team and look forward to working with them in the future.”
