Leveraging the tremendous experience garnered through various executive positions he has held with traditional television companies like Sony Pictures Television, DIC Entertainment, Starz and RHI Entertainment over the past 30 years, it’s David Ozer’s passion for the creative process and commitment to collaboration with the authors, writers, directors, artists, actors, producers and other talented members of the creative community that distinguishes him and IDW Entertainment “IDWE” from other studios vying for networks and the audience’s attention.

Launching IDWE as its President in December of 2013, Ozer, with the support of IDW Publishing founder and CEO Ted Adams, spearheads the independent mini-studio’s overall operations which are devoted to developing, producing and distributing fresh and engaging content that appeals to a broad cross section of the global audience, especially millennials who may be fans of the nearly 90 comic book and graphic novels published monthly by the company’s sister division, IDW Publishing.

In its first three years of operation under Ozer’s leadership, IDW Entertainment has successfully introduced two series-- Wynonna Earp, named among the 20 Best New TV Shows of 2016 by Variety, debuted on Syfy in the U.S. Spike TV in the UK and Australia and Netflix globally; and Dirk Gently, based on the cult classic novels by Douglas Adams and starring Sam Barnett and Elijah Wood, on BBC America in the U.S. and Netflix internationally–as both traditional network series and as subscription on-demand content through Netflix.  Ozer earned Executive Producer credits on both series, which are returning for a second season in 2017.

Sourcing the works of such celebrated authors as Jonathon Kellerman, creator of the popular Alex Delaware detective series, and Douglas Adams, creator of Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, as well as the creators of graphic novels like Locke & Key’s writer Joe Hill, Ozer takes pride in forging unique development, production and distribution partnerships and models designed to suit the specific needs of each individual project.  This also appeals to the creative community he collaborates with to bring the projects to fruition.

Explains Ozer, “As an independent, we can work with anybody, be creative on our deal making, which means no two deals are the same. That really makes a significant difference from an artist’s perspective.”

Ozer’s passion for the creative process was inspired while working as Executive Vice President of Television at Starz Media, a post he held from 2005 through 2008.  “We were set up like an independent studio, developing content and funding our own projects.” 

It was during this time in his career that he also transitioned from domestic television sales -- he had previously held VP and SVP Sales positions with Sony Pictures Television and DIC Entertainment, to international sales and co-production negotiations.  He recalls this period as a turning point in his career, creating an opportunity to learn how all the pieces fit together and how to insure that multiple partners on a project can each get what they need.

From Starz, Ozer went on to serve as SVP of Domestic Television at RHI Entertainment (2010 to 2012) and then transitioned over to Sonar Entertainment in 2012 to serve as its head of worldwide distribution, before joining IDW to head its Entertainment unit.

A graduate of Boston’s Emerson College, Ozer got his start in the entertainment industry as an account executive with WZOU/Ardman Broadcasting.

Speaking on: Face To Face Meeting Exchange; Face To Face Meeting Exchange