Horizon Entertainment to Relocate Atlanta Headquarters to the Greater New Orleans Region
New Orleans, LA, August 18, 2008 – Representatives from Horizon Entertainment, Louisiana Media Company, LLC and Louisiana Economic Development announced today that Horizon Entertainment will move its headquarter operations from Atlanta to the Greater New Orleans region. Horizon Entertainment (http://horizonent.tv/) is an Emmy Award winning, television production, content development and motion graphics studio that offers a wide array of entertainment and television production services. Working in partnership with Tom Benson’s Louisiana Media Company, LLC, the move represents the first production headquarters to locate in the region after the state adopted its strong incentive packages.
The company’s relocation will add 45 full time jobs in the region and up to 100 during production. With this move, the entertainment incentives continue to create better entertainment infrastructure and add to the regional workforce, luring more than just projects to the state, but actual production offices to the Greater New Orleans region to develop a stable, local industry.
Horizon Entertainment founder and President Jason Sciavicco said of the move to the Greater New Orleans region, “We are very excited to have our company headquartered in New Orleans, a city rich in tradition and charisma. This area’s entertainment industry has not been fully tapped into, and we are going to benefit from it. Our goal is to continue to help grow the film and television business in the area.”
Tom Benson was very excited to announce the new investment, “It is another step for us to contribute to our state’s economic development, the formation of jobs, and it also helps reestablish New Orleans as a great place to do business. While many are hesitant to invest in this city and state, I am not,” Benson says.
As part of its outreach to Horizon Entertainment and LMC, LLC, Louisiana Economic Development and Greater New Orleans, Inc. provided site search assistance in several parishes and identified appropriate incentive options to support the relocation.
“As the newest player in Louisiana’s native entertainment industry, Horizon Entertainment opens a new sector in television programming for our state,” said Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret. “Moving their headquarters from Georgia is a testament to Louisiana’s deep and growing crew base, the unique production opportunities our state offers, and the business climate we are cultivating. We’re very excited to welcome them to New Orleans.”
The Creative Media and Design sector, which includes film and television production, was identified by GNO, Inc. as a key target sector that will provide the greatest potential to increase significant investment in the Greater New Orleans region. Michael Hecht, President and CEO of GNO, Inc. said, “The Creative Media & Design sector offers unlimited possibilities to not only spur significant new growth and investment for this region but also shines a very bright light on the assets and promise found throughout Greater New Orleans as a thriving, vibrant home of bright, energetic minds. Horizon Entertainment offers solid affirmation of this exciting future potential becoming reality.”
With LED and GNO, Inc. providing regional support and coordination, Horizon Entertainment and LMC, LLC are working closely with officials from both Orleans and Jefferson Parish to find a site for their headquarters. Jennifer Day, in the Office of Film and Video with the city of New Orleans, commented, “We continue to work with the partners to facilitate a smooth transition. Just as with the feature films that we attract, customer service does not stop with landing the film or business. We must see every project through to the best of our ability, and that’s what sets Louisiana apart from other states in this industry.”
Chereen Gegenheimer of the Jefferson Parish president’s office who is also working on the relocation efforts said, “This is an important step for our region as it will continue to grow the entertainment industry. Jefferson Parish has committed support and incentives to strengthen the infrastructure and production capacity of this creative sector, and we are excited to welcome Horizon Entertainment.”
Horizon currently has two television series in production in Louisiana, including the high school football series formerly called “Varsity, Inc. – The Only Game in Town!” Horizon is currently focusing on perennial New Orleans area powerhouse John Curtis Christian School for this show. The company is also in development of a major motion picture to be shot and edited in Louisiana.
Horizon Entertainment was founded by Emmy Award-winning producer Jason Sciavicco. Sciavicco has produced programming for numerous major television networks, including ESPN, ABC, NBC and FOX. His productions include Super Bowls, Indy 500s, NASCAR, Monday Night Football and college football.
