Former MTV, Discovery Exec Sean Atkins Named President/CEO at Dhar Mann Studios, Which Has Also Signed With CAA

Former MTV president and Discovery chief digital officer Sean Atkins has joined Dhar Mann Studios as its new president and COO. The indie digital media company has also signed with CAA for representation in all areas, as Atkins looks to expand it into new business categories.

Atkins joins a company focused on scripted content in the digial space, producing five 25-minute scripted episodes weekly, all written, directed and shot inside its 100,000-square-foot production space located in Burbank.

Founder Dhar Mann, to whom Atkins will report, said the exec’s hire comes at “a pivotal time for the company. We’ve built an incredible foundation, and with Sean’s extensive experience leading growth and innovation at some of the biggest media companies, he’s exactly the leader we need for this next chapter. Together, we’re set to advance our mission of using media to make a positive global impact, while we propel the company into this next stage of unprecedented growth.”

As part of his appointment, Atkins has launched 5th Quarter Agency, a new division inside Dhar Mann Studios that works with creators “to leverage their IP to further monetize on YouTube.” Among its clients: the Stokes Twins, Rebecca Zamolo, Royalty Family and Jordan Matter.

At CAA, the studio is aiming to expand into live events, merchandising, publishing and new brand partnerships. It also is planning to work with CAA Evolution, CAA’s capital arm, for ways to expand its portfolio and potentially acquire other businesses.

“We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Sean and Dhar, two visionary leaders shaping the future of storytelling and long-form scripted content within the YouTube ecosystem,” said David Freeman, head of CAA’s digital media department. “Together, we are transforming what began as a highly successful channel into a scalable media empire, leveraging the full breadth of our agency to create new opportunities across the entire media and consumer landscape.”

Besides MTV and Discovery, Atkins’ resume includes serving as president of Jellysmack, where he was in charge of revenue, go-to-market strategies, customer engagement, brand sales, content teams, and new business initiatives. He has also served stints at HBO, Bertelsmann, Yahoo! and The Walt Disney Company.

“Dhar has built something truly unique—a mission-driven scripted digital media company that inspires and connects with over 120 million people globally in a brand-safe, positive environment,” Atkins said. “It is an unparalleled platform that truly showcases the power of creators to drive global scale businesses. We’re poised to capitalize on this momentum and accelerate the growth of a business that’s primed to transform the industry. I’m excited to lead this next phase, driving an ambitious M&A strategy and expanding into new business lines that will propel our growth even further.”