Joe Earley Reuniting With Gail Berman as Jackal Group President
by Michael O'Connell via The Hollywood Reporter 02/05/2016
The move finds the former Fox exec overseeing television, film, theater and digital divisions of his old boss's new studio.
The Earley has landed.
Three months after announcing his departure from the Fox TV Group, where he most recently served as chief operating officer, Joe Earley has been named president of The Jackal Group. The move reunites him with Gail Berman, Jackal's chairman and CEO, with whom he previously worked at Fox Broadcasting.
“Joining The Jackal Group not only reunites me with my friend Gail, who inspires creators to infuse great projects with the innovation and commercial appeal this market needs, but also allows me to fully blend my creative pursuits with the operational and marketing experience that will help this business grow,” said Earley. “In such a short time The Jackal Group has achieved an impressive level of excellence and accomplishment — from film to television and even theater, and I cannot wait to be part of the team.”
Berman founded The Jackal Group, a joint venture with Fox Broadcasting, after departing BermanBraun in early 2014. The studio's latest moves include a first-look pact with Fox 2000 and the launch of such series as Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life (Fox) and Dig (USA). The group also is behind Fox's upcoming telepic remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
“I am thrilled to welcome Joe at a time when The Jackal Group is experiencing the kind of measurable creative and operational surge that will benefit from his expertise and overall presence," said Berman. "Plus, Joe is an exceptional leader with a sharp eye for terrific content, and he possesses a special ability of inspiring those around him with seeming ease. I am so happy to have him as a friend and creative partner as we as we continue to build the company.”
Earley's departure from Fox, his home for the last 21 years, was spurred by a desire to be "deeply involved with creative." This move will find him overseeing all areas of The Jackal Group’s television, film, theater and digital divisions, reporting directly to Berman. His tenure at Fox also found him wearing many hats. At the time of his departure, he had oversight of marketing and communications, digital, research, talent relations, scheduling and audience strategy on the broadcast network side, while partnering with 20th TV's development, production, business affairs, marketing and finance leads on strategic initiatives — as well as publicity and talent relations at the studio.
Though Berman's new gig with The Jackal Group finds her working closely with Fox, the last time Earley and Berman worked together on a day-to-day basis was during her 2000-2005 tenure as entertainment president at the network.