• by Larissa Faw , June 1, 2015

Media company Mashable is expanding with the launch of Mashable Studios that will develop and create original video programming, and work with the company’s advertising partners to create branded entertainment.

Industry veteran Eric Korsh, former SVP of brand social & content at DigitasLBi, has been tapped to lead the new unit, which will have operations in Los Angeles and New York. Korsh will report to Jim Roberts, Mashable’s executive editor and chief content officer, and Adam Ostrow, Mashable’s chief strategy officer.

Korsh’s previous experience in video, entertainment and agency will be well utilized. At DigitasLBi, he helped to oversee the development and execution of digital brand, social and content strategies for clients and has spent over 25 years as a producer of episodic television, TV commercials, feature and documentary films, and music videos.

“We see branded video entertainment as core to our long-term strategy, and Eric brings a tremendous track record of both innovating for clients and creating original programming that resonates with audiences like ours,” says Adam Ostrow. “Mashable Studios will build on the company’s history of telling stories that inform, inspire and entertain the digital generation while working with our brand partners to tell their stories in new ways.”

The creation of Mashable Studios is the company’s latest expansion move since raising $17 million from investors in January. Mashable added Mike Schmidt as its Director of Editorial Video in March.

The company says it has 42 million monthly visitors and 23 million social media followers.