Population Media Center – who, alongside Wise Entertainment, produced East Los High – has announced that following the success of the Hulu original they are launching a dedicated U.S. content division. The company has tapped industry veteran Lisa Caruso to lead said division.
Caruso will oversee all domestic content development and production for PMC. She has over 20 years of industry experience as a producer, director, screenwriter, and development executive. Caruso worked in scripted development for two shingles at Universal Studios and also had an extensive career in non-fiction and transmedia, having directed and produced numerous reality series and documentary specials for HBO, Bravo, MTV, and E!
The new content division will meld entertainment industry insight with behavior theory to create hit shows that are designed to address deeply embedded social issues in the areas of women’s empowerment, human rights, and environmental sustainability. “We’re thrilled to have Lisa join our team”, said Bill Ryerson, President of PMC. “Her expertise in developing shows and dedication to meaningful content will expand our success in the US market for years to come.”
The first project being developed under Caruso’s leadership is Harlem Code, a one-hour drama series tackling the realities of inner-city urban youth. The project is being shepherded by “Chip” Flaherty and Mary Beth O’Connor, who together have formed Xavier Holdings. In addition to Xavier Holdings serving as advisors on the show, the project also uses PMC-commissioned research by Columbia University and insights from numerous community partnerships to tell authentic and compelling stories that revolve around current issues affecting Harlem youth.
