21st Annual Conversation on Race and Entertainment Media with J. Christopher Hamilton

J. Christopher Hamilton is an attorney, professor and author with over 20 years in the entertainment industry with Disney, Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount Global and Lionsgate. At the Newhouse School, Hamilton teaches dynamic revenue models and content distribution strategies.

In conversation with Professor Charisse L’Pree for Newhouse’s 21st annual Conversation on Race and Entertainment Media, Hamilton will discuss navigating the media industry business and his commitment to disrupting the creative landscape by telling stories that empower marginalized voices.

As vice president of Digital Studios, Over-the-Top Services and International Co-Productions at Lionsgate, Hamilton helped build the “Laugh Out Loud” streaming service, “Lionsgate Digital Studios” and brokered deals to remake major theatrical motion pictures like “Red,” “Step Up” and “Nerve” as international co-productions in Asia.

Hamilton also worked in cable television (MTV, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim), network television (ABC Studios) and over-the-top streaming (Kevin Hart’s “Laugh Out Loud” network) before launching a subscription-based programming service (Black and Sexy TV). As an executive producer and co-owner of that venture, he packaged and licensed the company’s multicultural content for millennial audiences to various television networks (Tubi TV, BET, Comcast Xfinity, and HBO).

Through his boutique law firm and media consulting, Hamilton works to help entrepreneurs and content creators bridge the gap between multi-million dollar film/television franchises and micro-budgeted digital productions. He has also appeared as a guest speaker and legal analyst on The Shade Room, News Nation and The Skimm, and worked as a featured commentator with various news publications such as Quartz, The Observer, Morning Consult, LA Progressive and AP News.

For more information, or if you require accommodations, please contact Charisse L’Pree Corsbie-Massay at clcorsbi@syr.edu.