EXCLUSIVE: Zack Slingsby and Brendan Nardozzi, the creatives behind short form and branded storytelling company Human Factor Media, have reteamed to launch King Jester, a new digital comedy platform that will look to incubate the next wave of comedic voices and original IP.
A producer of premium scripted sketches and web series, King Jester was built to create fearless, culturally defining scripted comedy for the internet age, filling a growing gap in this space. Their work will feature rotating appearances from comedians, influencers, athletes, and unexpected guests.
Early adopters of the platform include a mix of well-known comedians like Leah Rudick, Jeff Dye, David Lucas, Cristina Mariani, Drew Lynch, Kim Congdon, Courtney Michelle, Joe Wong, and Sophie Buddle, among others. Recently, one of their original sketches, 1 Gen Z vs. 20 War Veterans, quickly went viral with nearly 30M views, highlighting present demand for short-form comedic content.
King Jester operates from a full-scale Nashville production studio, aiming to deliver cinematic-quality comedy at modest budgets. They offer creators co-ownership of IP and the freedom to test ideas that can evolve from sketches into web series or larger shows or films, without the economic and procedural constraints that come with working in conventional studio systems.
King Jester’s creative team also includes Sam Curphey, among others. Later this month, they will debut their first web series, Breaking Ground, which focuses on a savvy white-collar AI Solutions salesman whose job is stolen by…AI. With no other options, he returns to his blue-collar brother’s failing concrete business to try to save it from collapse. The three-episode series will be released weekly on King Jester’s YouTube page and feature Kyler Finney, Marianna Barksdale, Phillip David Black, and DB Sweeney.
With over a decade of experience in the comedy and creative spaces, founders Slingsby and Nardozzi came to launch King Jester after producing originals and branded content for clients like LG, Panera Bread, Planet Fitness, adidas, New York Post, Barrons, Biz2Credit, BlueCross BlueShield, SnapDiscover, True Classic Tees, and more. A creative producer, director and writer, Slingsby has already crafted short films, series and commercials for household brands, publishers and networks that have garnered millions of views. He received his MFA from The New School, has won awards as both a writer and filmmaker from national and international festivals and committees, and is also the author of a forthcoming novel. With a background spanning advertising, digital media and branded content, Nardozzi oversees King Jester’s New York City office, managing day-to-day operations while partnering closely with talent and collaborators to develop and expand the company’s slate of original comedy.
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