Univision launches Story House Univision

Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) announced the launch of Univision Story House, a new content development and production venture that will produce original content for UCI’s portfolio of owned networks as well as third party networks and platforms. By leveraging UCI’s distinct knowledge of Hispanic and young, diverse audiences, Story House is uniquely positioned to create innovative stories and formats that appeal to the new, rising American mainstream in both English and Spanish. Story House will be a part of the recently announced Fusion Media Group.

Story House will operate out of Los Angeles, giving UCI an expanded development and production footprint, and be overseen by Camila Jimenez Villa, who will be President and Chief Content Officer of the Fusion Media Group, and led creatively by Juan Rendón. Christian Gabela will assume the role of Vice President and General Manager and will help lead strategy and partnerships as well as manage the daily operations of the team. Rendón and Silvana Aguirre will serve as the venture’s creative directors. Rendón previously led Univision and FUSION’s award-winning documentary division where he produced, directed, and executive produced over 15 documentaries since 2012; his work has been recognized with a range of honors from DuPont Awards to an International Emmy nominations. Most recently Aguirre served as creative director for UniMás and brings with her more than 15 years of television experience; her films have toured more than 100 film festivals worldwide. Full bios below. The team will report to Isaac Lee, Chief News and Digital Officer for UCI.

Story House will build on Univision’s exceptional storytelling abilities to bring to life narratives and characters that are revealing, authentic and reflect the diversity of the changing face of America. Story House will also utilize its extraordinary access to news archives and the award-winning journalists of Univision News to source and develop long-form fiction and nonfiction content. The team will tap into a network of Hollywood writers, directors, and producers throughout the development process create compelling, high-quality productions.

“There is a wealth of untold stories about Latin America and the cross-cultural experience in the United States. The diversity of backgrounds and experiences that our experienced team embodies gives us the ability to tell those stories in the most authentic way,” said Rendón.

“The formation of Univision Story House is an extension of UCI’s commitment to serve young, multicultural audiences across a broad range of platforms with high-quality, meaningful storytelling,” said Jimenez Villa. “Our goal is to be the go-to place for premium content for the new, rising American mainstream regardless of brand, platform, or language.”

Story House has inked a production deal with HBO for two projects that will take viewers on a journey to examine an array of diverse cultures and perspectives. “Outpost” is a ten-part series that lives at the intersection of experiential journalism and adventure travel. The series gives viewers a local perspective of faraway places through immersive stories on current events, subcultures, the environment, and adventure sports. From white separatists to anti-immigrant activists, “Hate in America” will see Univision and FUSION anchor Jorge Ramos taking his fearless brand of journalism on the road to investigate why hatred seems to be growing in this country and who is feeding it.