Hartbeat, the production and media company founded by Kevin Hart, said CEO Thai Randolph will step down to “pursue new endeavors.”
Randolph, who has been with Hartbeat for nearly seven years, will remain a strategic adviser to Hart, who as chairman of the L.A.-based company will serve as interim CEO until a permanent successor is identified.
“It’s been a great honor to help shape Hartbeat into the powerhouse entertainment platform it has become,” Randolph said in a statement. “I couldn’t be prouder of the meteoric growth and incredible impact we’ve driven over the years. My passions are telling stories and building businesses, and for the past seven years, I’ve been able to do just that alongside some of the best partners, colleagues, and creators in the industry.”
Hart commented, “Thai has played a significant role in the growth of my previous ventures and the company we enjoy today in Hartbeat. I want to sincerely thank her for everything she has contributed to make Hartbeat the undisputed No. 1 source of comedic storytelling, and I know she will continue to find success in her next chapter.”
Randolph led the 2022 deal that merged Hart’s two entertainment companies at the time — Hartbeat Productions and Laugh Out Loud — to form the new entity, Hartbeat. She also led the $100 million in funding raised from Abry Partners last year.
According to the company, under Randolph’s leadership, Hartbeat has doubled in size. It released more than 20 projects in 2022 and has already released 18 projects in 2023, with more than 70 others in development. Hartbeat recently opened three new offices, including its new Los Angeles headquarters.
Prior to her CEO appointment, Randolph held positions as president and COO of Laugh Out Loud, formerly a joint venture with Lionsgate, and COO of Hartbeat Productions, where she co-led Laugh Out Loud’s capital raise and partnership deal with NBCUniversal’s Peacock and founded Women Write Now, a first-of-its-kind screenwriting fellowship developed in partnership with the Sundance Institute, to champion the next generation of Black women in comedy through mentorship, advocacy, production and exhibition. Earlier in her career, Randolph worked at Facebook and Sony.
Hartbeat operates three divisions: Hartbeat Studios, which finances, develops and produces content; Hartbeat Media, which connects with consumers around the world through events and a distribution network; and Pulse, the company’s branded-entertainment studio. Hartbeat’s flagship consumer brand is the LOL! Network, which spans social media, audio and over-the-top video partners.