Indigenous Media Names Former DanceOn Executive John Zhang EVP Of Marketing

Digital production company Indigenous Media — which is behind projects like the Andrea Russett-starring Snapchat horror feature Sickhouse and an incubator initiative with Hunger Games actor Josh Hutcherson dubbed The Big Script — has tapped industry veteran John Zhang as its new EVP of marketing.

Previously, Zhang served as VP of marketing at DanceOn, where he oversaw audience development and network growth, as well as marketing, PR, and social media. In his new role, Zhang will report to Indigenous’ COO, Jake Avnet, and will be tasked with overseeing the promotional rollout of the studios’ recently-launched 60 Second Docs

series of minute-long documentaries targeting the social media set, as well as its forthcoming Sickhouse sequel.

“With our continued commitment to an increasing number of multi-platform projects, it’s more important than ever that we have innovative professionals with strong digital and entertainment media experience like Zhang overseeing Indigenous Media’s marketing efforts,” Jake Avnet said in a statement.

Indigenous Media was formed in 2014 by filmmakers Jon Avnet and his son, Jake, alongside Rodrigo Garcia, with investments from ad giant WPP and UK broadcaster ITV. Some of the founding trio’s illustrious production credits include Black Swan, Fried Green Tomatoes, Risky Business, and In Treatment.

At the same time, DanceOn has announced a new hire of its own. Following the formation of parent company Izo in order to increase its focus on music, the company has named Jason Hargrove head of original programming. In his new role, Hargrove will oversee long and short-form production, programming partnerships, and new distribution channels at Izo. Hargrove, who previously served as vice president of original content for Fuse Media, will also charge programming for flagship dance entertainment brand DanceOn.