Meet Our Team
Fiona Mackenzie - Founder
Writer, Director, Executive Producer
Fiona Mackenzie is a former studio executive and investigative journalist with over 15 year experience in the development, casting, financing and production of studio films, television movies and series television. She founded Ascent Media Group to develop and produce entertainment content with a female focus and an international perspective. Launched in 2017, Ascent Media Group has a slate of features and scripted series in development with US and European production financiers. In 2025, Fiona wrote her debut novel, the thriller, Murder In Pebble Beach, now distributed through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Kindle and Audio Books. In 2020, Ascent Media produced the music driven, rom come feature Tell Me I Love You, which Fiona wrote and directed, released on all platforms by Vision Films . Prior to Ascent Media, Fiona held senior level, producing and creative executive positions at Sony Pictures, 20th Century Fox, and Lionsgate and developed projects ranging from 2 to 80M USD. At Sony, Fiona was the Vice President of Features and Television at Turman Morrison (American History X, Oscar Nominee) and later held an in-house producing deal at 20th Century Fox/Davis Entertainment. She developed the feature “Warrior Queen” now at Paramount Pictures, an epic, female led action film, and worked in France on “The Highlander” series for 13 episodes. Fiona began her career as a journalist for CNN, ABC and CBS based in Paris. She earned a BA from U.C. Berkeley and a Masters from Georgetown University's Graduate School of Foreign Service. She lives between Los Angeles and London.
Joyce Chung - Advisor
Strategic Advisor, Brand Partnerships
A former SVP at an Omnicom brand consulting firm in Manhattan and Chief Brand Officer at a mature tech startup in downtown LA, Joyce brings a wealth of senior advertising, brand strategy, technology, and business consulting experience to Ascent Media. Her clients encompass a range of categories including HBO, Apple, Disney, Target, Royal Caribbean, Heineken and L'Oreal. Ms. Chung has also previously held senior positions at Interpublic Group, Ogilvy & Mather, JWT, and McCann Erickson, where she oversaw the agency business and client brands, led media campaign planning, and formulated new business development and strategy. Ms. Chung is a graduate of NYU and holds a B.A. in psychology and advertising.
James Morel - Advisor
Strategic Advisor, Investor Relations
A seasoned entrepreneur and CEO who has launched several US companies and franchises, Mr. Morel provides strategic advice and financial counsel to Ascent Media Group in all aspects of the company’s growth trajectory, investment partnerships, and corporate expansion. Mr. Morel coordinated the Seed, Angel, Series A debt and equity financing rounds for start ups leading them to an IPO. With a passion for building and growing companies Mr. Morel is working closely with the team at Ascent Media Group providing the company with financial consulting and comprehensive advisory services. Mr. Morel lives between New York City and Los Angeles.
Marya Meyer - Advisor
Strategic Advisor, Music & Talent Relations
Marya brings over 25 years of experience in entertainment marketing and artist relations, and holds a wealth of industry contacts with all the major talent agencies. An expert in the Latin American Market, Marya has presided on the Latin Grammy selection committee, and has held senior executive positions at Sony, BMG, Sony, and Universal Music. Over her extensive career she has worked closely with international artists such U2, Metallica, Sting, Bon Jovi, and Gloria Estafan, and with distributors specializing in the Latin market including Telemundo and Univision. Bilingual in Spanish and English, Marya resides between Miami and New York City.