800 Pound Gorilla has appointed Russell Weissman head of licensing as the comedy company expands its distribution partnerships and streaming offerings. Weissman brings more than 15 years of experience in business development, distribution, audience strategy and monetization across traditional entertainment, digital media and the creator economy.
Weissman’s media background
Weissman previously held the chief operating officer role at All Things Comedy, founded by Bill Burr and Al Madrigal. He helped grow its podcast, digital media, film and television operations while overseeing distribution, sales, business development and audience strategy.
After leaving All Things Comedy, he advised media and entertainment businesses on growth, revenue strategy, partnerships and go-to-market initiatives.
His earlier leadership positions included roles at Maker Studios and All Day Media, where he worked on partnerships and business strategies as digital video and creator-led media expanded.
Weissman said:
“I’m excited to join 800 Pound Gorilla and work with a team that has built such a strong reputation in comedy and an incredible catalog of content. There’s a tremendous opportunity to expand how that content reaches audiences, develop new partnerships and create additional value for the company and the artists they work with.”
General manager Tony Grotticelli and co-founder Ryan Bitzer said:
“Our success and strategic intelligence comes directly from the incredible talent, insight, and expertise we bring into the company. Bringing on a titan in the industry like Russell to our team is a key part of that ongoing growth.”
Distribution partnerships and streaming
800 Pound Gorilla’s work over the past decade has included stand-up specials, podcasts, digital distribution and partnerships with creators. Its recent Tubi partnership follows other initiatives this year:
- New distribution partnerships with Nateland and Comedy Central Records.
- The launch of Gorilla Comedy+, a premium streaming service devoted entirely to stand-up comedy.
