Digital studio Portal A, which released its first YouTube Red project last month and has also created branded campaigns for the likes of Lenovo, has announced seven total hires and promotions today, with new team members hailing from Disney-owned Maker Studios and storied ad agency BBDO. Portal A now counts 40 staffers.
First, former managing producer Elyse Preiss (pictured above, left) — who has supervised YouTube’s annual Rewind project— has been named head of production, where she will oversee both branded and original projects. Other promotions include Jacob Motz from supervising producer to director of development, and Matthew Ward from senior strategist to director of strategy. In his new role, Motz will oversee a slate of premium projects built around new talent, while Ward will oversee planning, coordination, and execution across the company.
In terms of new hires, Robyn Buensuceso has joined Portal A from BBDO to serve as head of business operations, where she will implement new processes for growth and performance. And Aaron Umetani, formerly a director at Maker Studios, has been named Portal A’s in-house director and creative lead for branded projects.
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Other promotions include Arturo Morales (pictured above, right), who has been named head of post-production. Morales, who also previously worked at Maker Studios as lead editor, will oversee Portal A’s team of in-house and freelance editors. Finally, Portal A has promoted Jeffrey Sabin-Matsumoto to fill Motz’s former role of supervising producer. Sabin-Matsumoto, who has worked on Rewind as well as a Stephen Curry-starring music video for Clorox, will oversee both branded and original productions.
