Former UTA Partner Jim Meenaghan Joins Stampede Ventures As COO

Former UTA Partner, Co-Head of Independent Film and Head of Motion Picture Business Affairs Jim Meenaghan has joined Stampede Ventures as Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel, founder and CEO Greg Silverman announced on Wednesday.

In the newly formed COO position, Meenaghan will oversee the studio’s day-to-day operations across all verticals, spearhead efforts to expand its strategic relationships across film and television including the recently announced partnership with Film AlUla studios, and work closely with the company’s joint venture partners in Hidden Pigeon Company and Happy Nest. He’ll report directly to Silverman. 

“Stampede is having considerable growth and continues to develop important studio infrastructure,” shared Silverman in a statement in the hiring. “As a well-respected industry veteran, Jim’s invaluable expertise will help the company navigate this next phase. We look forward to his leadership and insights to continue to bolster Stampede Ventures.”

Meenaghan added, “Stampede Ventures is the perfect opportunity for me, the timing could not be better. I’m very excited to join such an ambitious company committed to making great, commercial content with a remarkable executive team and culture already in place.”

During his 15 years at UTA, Meenaghan oversaw day-to-day business affairs operations for the motion picture literary and talent departments and worked closely with many of the agency’s high-profile clients. As co-head of the Independent Film Group, he was actively involved in sourcing and negotiating the packaging, financing, and distribution deals for many of UTA’s high-profile independent films. Prior to his time at the agency, he served as a senior executive at the Anschutz Film Group/Walden Media, Icon Productions and Walt Disney Pictures.

Founded by Silverman, Gideon Yu and Jaeson Ma, Stampede’s recent releases include Lionsgate’s Ordinary Angels starring Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson, the Emmy-nominated documentary The Saint of Second Chances, and the YA feature Pink Skies Ahead, starring Jessica Barden. Currently prepping projects like the Alan Ritchson starrer Motor City and Chasing Red, the company is in production on Anderson .Paak’s directorial debut K-POPS! and The Fisherwoman starring Emma Thompson. Upcoming films include Space Cadet, starring Emma Roberts, which will be unveiled this summer.

Recently, Stampede Venture made a $350 million three-year deal with Film AlUla, which will bring ten projects to production at AlUla’s state-of-the-art production facility. Last year, the company teamed with RedBird Capital Partners and NYT bestselling author Mo Willems to launch Hidden Pigeon Company, a multiplatform kids and family content company that leverages the catalogue of children’s books and other IP from Willems across all entertainment platforms.