Convention organizer Wizard World has hired a Nerdist and Legendary vet as Director of Content as its Chief Operating Officer leaves under disputed circumstances. 

The new Director of Content is Brian Walton, formerly editor-in-chief of Nerdist.com and Vice President of Editorial Operations at Legendary Digital Networks (which acquired Nerdist).  Walton’s duties will include “bringing Wizard World’s voice to its global fan community via digital, video, print, and live activations,” according to the company’s announcements.

Meanwhile, in an SEC filing, the company revealed that Chief Operating Officer Randall Malinoff left the company as of July 3.  The nature of the departure is under dispute; Wizard World says it was a resignation, while Malinoff says it was not.  The departure apparently began on June 17, when Wizard World says it entered into an agreement with Malinoff to cease being COO but to continue with the company in an “alternative capacity.”  Malinoff disputes the validity of the agreement Wizard World says it made.    

Malinoff was brought in as management support in March of 2016 (see “Wizard World Brings in New CEO”), as it began a CEO transition.  His COO role was then made permanent with a title of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, with duties including building digital strategy, outreach to emerging platforms, and identifying new advertising and distribution channels to create new revenue streams (see “Wizard World Turns Profit in First Quarter”). 

Wizard World settled litigation with another former employee, Stephen Shamus, in February (see “Wizard World, Stephen Shamus Settle Lawsuits”).

The company lost $1.28 million in its most recent quarter (see “Wizard World Revenue Decline Produces Big Operating Loss”).