Michele Wells

Chief Content Officer, Content Strategist, Producer, Editor-in-Chief @Warner Bros., Disney, Tapas Entertainment, Penguin Random House, and more

🧑‍💼 C-level ExecutiveProducerCPO🐦 DesignCMO🧨 Consulting🎥 EntertainmentScreenwriterAuthorArt DirectorPublisherEditorCopywriterArt ProducerAssociate Partner

Michele Wells is a highly accomplished media executive with an extensive background in content creation, strategy, and production. Currently serving as the Chief Content Officer at Warner Bros., Michele has held prominent positions in industry-leading companies like Disney, Tapas Entertainment, Penguin Random House, and more. She has displayed an innate ability to create, manage, and strategize content across multiple platforms, which has made her an invaluable asset in the media industry. As an Editor-in-Chief, her editorial skills have been instrumental in the production of high-quality content. Michele's career is testament to her passion for storytelling and her commitment to delivering exceptional content. Her work continues to shape the landscape of entertainment and publishing.

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Work Background

Tapas EntertainmentChief Content Officer

Mar. 2021 - Sep. 2022Los Angeles, California, United States · RemoteDefined the content vision and ensured the creation of new IP to reach audiences across the globe through prose, comics, audio, film, TV, merchandise, and more. Delivered high-quality content that is reflective of Tapas’s brand and voice to audiences wherever and however they choose to consume it. Core areas of responsibility: Oversee Studio Tapas in the US; Seoul, Korea; and Beijing, China to ensure that we are producing content together—as “one Tapas”—with an integrated and targeted slate of stories that appeal across markets, both on platform and off. Oversee Editorial Development and Production to ensure the on-time production of quality Tapas titles with the best creators. From novels to N2C to comics, Tapas super-serves our audience the content they want on the timeline they expect for stories not found anywhere else. Oversee Tapas Brand and Voice. Work with Marketing, Publicity, Social Media, and Comms to expand Tapas’s reach and authenticity in the storytelling space, and to ensure that all outward-facing communications are organic to and supportive of the Tapas brand, and work to expand our reach worldwide. Oversee Business Affairs in partnership with counsel to oversee all legal issues, from compliance to hiring and workplace issues to contract execution and partnership strategy as we grow and expand. Oversee Creative Development to develop and produce Tapas IP through partnerships in the entertainment community and across content platforms. Ensure authentic creation of film and TV adaptations, as well as print publishing and merchandise. Facilitate entertainment opportunities and relationships by attracting and attaching meaningful talent and securing options for Tapas IP. Oversee Community/UGC to ensure a dedicated community of creators who are loyal to and passionate about our brand, and to elevate qualified creators to partnerships within Studio Tapas and with ancillary partners.

Warner Bros. EntertainmentVice President, DC Entertainment

Jan. 2017 - Mar. 2021Burbank, CA · HybridGoal: To entertain, educate, and inspire! ● Created the first DC YA and middle grade imprints ● Developed content, created the strategy, and oversaw the creation of a slate of 36 titles/year across the middle grade (ages 8–12) and young adult (ages 13+) lines, first as Executive Editor, then as co-Editor-in-Chief ● Built and maintained relationships with A-list storytelling talent such as: Laurie Halse Anderson • Leigh Bardugo • Drew Brockington • Jeffrey Brown • Meg Cabot • Melissa de la Cruz • Brendan Deneen • Kami Garcia • Claudia Gray • Shannon Hale • Kody Keplinger • Minh Lê • E. Lockhart • Marie Lu • Sarah J. Maas • Lauren Myracle • Marieke Nijkamp • Ryan North • Michael Northrop • Danielle Paige • Ridley Pearson • Alex Sanchez • Kirk Scroggs • Maggie Steifvater • Nic Stone • Mariko Tamaki • Gene Luen Yang ● Guided the continued growth of the lines, and led the expansion into multimedia, consumer products, and film and TV —Conceptualized and greenlit new IP —Championed development of live-action and animated children’s content to be shared across WarnerMedia for distribution on platforms such as DC Universe, and for partners such as HBO-MAX ● Worked cross-functionally with Global Franchise Management; approved DC content for the global licensed publishing program ● Led a team of editors in managing the slate, maintaining publication schedules, and expanding the content ● Represented DC at conferences, conventions, and speaking engagements

The Walt Disney CompanyExecutive Editor, Interactive Storytelling

Jan. 2012 - Dec. 2017Los Angeles, CA · Hybridhttp://dcpi.disney.com/about-us/ January 2014 - 2017 Executive Editor, Interactive Storytelling Established and led the interactive story department (editors/franchise experts and writers) to create content for animation, short-form video content, apps, games, talking toys, and R&D products such as AR and VR storytelling. Content strategist for Disney, Disney-Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel properties on interactive platforms, including the subscription service Disney Story Central, which houses eBooks, podcasts, digital comics, magazines, motion books, and more. January 2013 - January 2014 Senior Editor, Digital Narrative design. Conceptualized, developed, and wrote scripts for award-winning Disney Channel/Disney Jr. apps and games (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Doc McStuffins, Minnie's Bow Toons, Sofia the First, Jake and the Never Land Pirates). April 2012 - January 2013 Senior Editor, Comics and Magazines Global digital publisher of Disney comics. Managed the global content strategy of all comics and graphic novels through the Disney Comics and ComiXology apps. Produced and edited the online versions of Disney's and ABC Family's magazines.

First BookFounding Chair, Brooklyn Chapter

Jan. 2011 - Dec. 2013Brooklyn, NYFirst Book provides access to new books for children in need. To date, First Book has distributed more than 130 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada. First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education by making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis.

DKSenior Editor

Jan. 2010 - Dec. 2012New York, NY · On-siteAcquired, developed, and wrote original manuscripts for illustrated children's books, apps, and related material. Managed the editorial process for the U.S. Custom and Proprietary publication programs.

McGraw-HillSenior Acquisitions Editor, Producer

Jan. 2008 - Dec. 2010New York, NY · On-siteAcquired 20–25 adult nonfiction manuscripts per year; in 2009, exceeded acquisition goal by 117% and frontlist revenue goal by 109%. Negotiated contracts Developed content Produced ancillary videos and podcasts

Penguin Random HouseAcquisitions Editor

Jan. 2003 - Dec. 2008New York, NY · On-siteAcquired manuscripts, negotiated contracts for, and developed 21–24 titles per year across various lifestyle categories (entertainment/pop culture, foreign language, travel, cinema, food/wine, music, humor, technology). Specialized in illustrated content.

Enslow Publishers, Inc.Editor and Producer

Jan. 2001 - Dec. 2003Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, United States · On-siteAcquired manuscripts, negotiated contracts, set publication schedules for, and developed 24–30 children’s titles per year. Produced audio and video content.