Wolf Entertainment, the production company behind smash-hit TV drama products Law & Order and Chicago Fire, is expanding its audio business with its first vice-president of audio.
Stepping into the newly-created role will be Stephen Michael, who joins from Gunpowder & Sky, where he was instrumental in building the organisation’s audio business and launched shows including DUST, and Audible originals Shelved and Lighters in the Sky.
Founded by TV mogul Dick Wolf, Wolf Entertainment has been making increasing investments into the audio space, leveraging its crime and fiction development background to create podcasts such as Dark Woods and Hunted, starring House of Cards actor Corey Stoll and Scream 3 actor Parker Posey, respectively.
Michael will be responsible for managing Wolf Entertainment’s day-to-day podcast operations, and expanding the organisation’s catalogue of original productions, with a focus on the true crime and fiction genres.
“Stephen’s addition to the Wolf Entertainment team reflects our commitment to exceptional audio storytelling,” said Elliot Wolf, Wolf Entertainment’s executive vice president of digital. “We are thrilled to continue expanding the Wolf brand in podcasting and pushing the boundaries of the medium. Stephen’s success as a producer, creative, and executive will undoubtedly help us do so.”
The move follows other TV producers and networks making larger inroads into the podcast market.
Real Housewives producer Alex Baskin recently announced plans to develop a simultaneous TV and podcast documentary project, while Jordan Peele has launched a horror fiction podcast in partnership with Spotify. Last month, Paramount also hired a new vice president of podcast editorial to expand its footprint in the audio world.
