Ben Silverman Names Chris Grant Electus CEO

Ben Silverman’s multimedia studio Electus, an operating business of IAC announced that Chris Grant will join the company as CEO effective Nov. 1. In his new role, Grant will take responsibility for the company’s next phase of growth across global TV, digital and branded entertainment. Grant’s background in advertising and international distribution, acquisition and production will also serve as a launching pad for Electus’ domestic television agenda.

Grant will report directly to founder Ben Silverman who will continue to oversee all aspects of Electus including creative opportunities and expansion strategies among the company’s studio partners CollegeHumor, Notional, DumbDumb, Electus Distribution, 5×5 Media, DiGa and myriad of television and digital projects.

Drew Buckley, COO of Electus, will expand his role, taking responsibility for all operations including digital, advertising, finance, mergers and acquisitions and managing the company’s Yahoo, Microsoft and Google relationships. Buckley will be partnered with Grant and will report directly to Silverman.

Grant previously was president of Shine International, the global sales and distribution arm of the Shine Group companies, including Reveille, Kudos, Dragonfly, Princess Productions, Brown Eyed Boy, Shine TV, Shine France, Shine Germany, Shine Australia and Metronome, the Nordic region’s production group.

During Grant’s tenure at Shine International, non-scripted formats including MasterChef, The Biggest Loser, Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? and The Moment of Truth became global television brands, while scripted successes have included The Listener and Archer.

Earlier in his career, Grant was a managing director of Reveille, the production and distribution company focusing on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights through scripted and alternative television formats that was founded by current Electus founder and Chairman Ben Silverman. At Reveille, Grant was responsible for overseeing the company’s international distribution and creative affairs division.