Range Media Partners wants celebrity chef pies.
The management company has entered the food business, acquiring FRESH MGMT and launching a new division called Range Culinary.
FRESH MGMT was founded by Andrew Chason and Daniel Kim, who previously headed CAA’s culinary division. Clients include chef and humanitarian Jose Andres and Top Chef host Kristen Kish.
Chefs and food and beverage tastemakers have become a hot commodity in the entertainment industry, and while unscripted concepts that touch on the themes remain an important format for streaming services and TV networks, more traditional cooking shows continues to flourish.
Celebrity chefs are also in high demand in other areas such as licensing, live events, endorsements, and social content. Range Culinary will be able to leverage other divisions of the company, including Range Digital (which has a roster of creators and influencers in the space). Range Studios (which runs shows on Max and Prime Video); Range Access (focused on hospitality and other business ventures) helps clients expand their work.
“On behalf of the entire Range management team, we have the utmost respect for Andrew and Daniel, who are widely respected leaders in the culinary entertainment industry,” said Range CEO Peter Miceli. “Their focus on the intersection of food and culture aligns perfectly with our approach to building a multi-industry, full-service offering to help our clients soar in their careers within broader culture. We also share a mission to push the boundaries of what is possible for our clients.”
“For us, it’s about the quality of the people, and we couldn’t be more excited to join our friends at Range and take advantage of the extraordinary ecosystem they’ve built,” added Chaisson and Kim. “Their unique combination of prioritizing quality over quantity, shared services, collaborative culture and great taste has made this the ideal home for our team and clients.”
Range has used M&A as an expansion tool. Last year, the company acquired a management company to expand its sports division.
The company raised funding in 2022 in a round led by A+E Networks, and earlier this year from John Malone’s Liberty Global, TPG founder David Bonderman’s Wildcat Capital, and family entertainment company It raised funding in a round in which Playground Productions participated.
The company is also embroiled in a legal battle with CAA, which claims Range (founded by former CAA employees) is violating the Talent Agency Act.
