MWM (formerly known as Madison Wells Media) is an American diversified entertainment company. Founded by Gigi Pritzker and Clint Kisker in 2015, MWM produces film, television, live theater, podcasts, and interactive experiences.
Pritzker sought to "take advantage of a landscape that was rapidly changing and valuing 'content' in new ways," to "focus on storytellers in a way content never has before." MWM intended to create films, theater productions, and VR experiences under one umbrella to "expand and grow the IP that was born in any one of those units" through cross-pollination. Named after Madison and Wells Streets in Chicago, where Pritzker's great-grandfather sold newspapers when he was 12, MWM launched in November 2015.
At the time of its founding, MWM operated under the banners of OddLot Entertainment (film and television), Reality One (interactive), and Relevant Live (theater). In 2017, to streamline its operations and increase flexibility across its multiple platforms, the divisions were brought together, and Reality One and Relevant Live were rebranded respectively as MWM Interactive and MWM Live. In November 2017, Oddlot was renamed MWM Studios. MWM Universe, an IP-focused division of MWM that acquires and develops properties across media including film, TV, gaming, comics and books, was established in 2018 when they partnered with Chicago-based artist Hebru Brantley and his Angry Hero Productions to create fully immersive storyworlds.
MWM Studios, a division of MWM, teams with storytellers to produce feature films and television programming and develops, finances and arranges global distribution for its original content. The studio, led by Rachel Shane, CCO, and COO Adrian Alperovich, has produced films such as the Golden Globe and Academy Award-nominated Hell or High Water and the Emmy Award-winning television series Genius. Its adaptation of Jonathan Lethem's Motherless Brooklyn (written by, directed, and starring Edward Norton) was released in November, 2019.
Motherless Brooklyn<br> 21 Bridges<br> My Spy <br> Hell or High Water<br> Drive<br> Genius: Picasso <br> Landline <br> Genius: Einstein <br> Ender's Game <br> Rosewater <br> Rabbit Hole <br> The Way, Way Back <br> Genius: Aretha <br> The Eyes of Tammy Faye <br> Prime Minister <br> Nonnas <br>
Established in 2018, the IP-focused division of the company, MWM Universe, acquires IP and builds out franchisable story worlds, acts as a strategic partner to MWM investment companies including Wonderstorm.
Voyage To The Stars<br> The Dragon Prince<br> Nevermore Park
The interactive division, previously known as MWM Immersive, created and published video games and produces virtual reality experiences. MWM announced its expansion into video game publishing on September 4, 2019 and closed its doors on June 28, 2022.
War Remains <br> Chained: A Victorian Nightmare<br> Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son <br> SoKrispy Daydreams <br>
Creature in the Well
Mundaun
MWM Live is the live global entertainment division of MWM. It is led by executive producer Jamie Forshaw, formerly the VP of Production for Andrew Lloyd Weber's Really Useful Group. MWM Live has developed and produced projects such as the Broadway musical, Hadestown, and Million Dollar Quartet, which inspired the CMT series Sun Records.
Hadestown<br> The Inheritance <br> Million Dollar Quartet <br> Company (2021 revival)<br> Red Roses, Green Gold <br> Snapshots