EXCLUSIVE: The form of Blue Ant Media‘s mixed studios and rights enterprise is coming collectively.
Following the Canada’s Drag Race producer’s acquisition of Canadian compatriot MarbleMedia in August, the as-yet-unnamed manufacturing and distribution enterprise has set out its management groups beneath Co-Presidents Mark Bishop and Matthew Hornburg, we are able to reveal.
Bishop and Hornburg beforehand led MarbleMedia, which has manufacturing and gross sales operations in Canada and the UK. Merging their enterprise with Michael MacMillan’s Blue Ant has created Canada’s newest main content material enterprise, the identify of which can quickly be unveiled.
Here’s a rundown of the brand new construction: Hornburg’s unscripted growth will see Jennifer Harkness (The Inigo Philbrick Story, working title) taking the factual leisure growth reins from Blue Ant’s LA workplace. Over in Toronto, Kelsey Espensen (Best in Miniature) will lead unscripted leisure and Steve Gamester (Inside the Statue Wars) heads specialist factual growth.
On the scripted growth aspect, which Bishop leads, Carrie Paupst Shaughnessy (Davey & Jonesie’s Locker) and Melissa Williamson (Sitting Pretty) will lead scripted drama & comedy, with Paupst Shaughnessy targeted on manufacturing and Williamson on growth. They’ll deal with making a primetime slate, whereas AJ Trauth (Armadillo Avalanche) is called head of an expanded children, household and younger grownup division primarily based out of LA. Josh Bowen (Doomlands) will lead the enterprise’ animation studio in Toronto, overseeing a deliberate growth.
Donna Luke will lead the manufacturing and post-production group, reporting to Hornburg, whereas Paul Kilback (Northwood Survival) will proceed to supervise factual sequence. He’ll work intently with Luke and Hornburg. Aileen Gardner (I Have Nothing) will lead and assist manufacturing for unscripted, specialist factual and factual leisure. Stefanie Haist (Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe) will lead and assist unscripted leisure productions.
Across the Pond in London, Diane Rankin is main business technique and content material financing for the studio’s distribution and manufacturing companies alongside Ben Barrett, who oversees content material financing and partnerships for the unscripted style. Rankin was beforehand MarbleMedia’s Executive VP of Rights, whereas Barrett has been with Blue Ant for the reason that Canadian firm purchased his UK gross sales home Drive Media Rights in June final yr.
Lilla Hurst, who co-founded Drive with Barrett, will proceed to guide the merged distribution staff’s world acquisitions and content material technique. Blue Ant execs Bryan Gabourie and Gerbrig Blanksma will lead all gross sales actions from originals, pre-sales, content material licensing, co-productions and strategic partnerships within the Americas and EMEA, respectively.
An unspecified variety of employees are to exit on account of the merger. “Like in any deal where two companies come together, there have been impacts, but the current team is now well-positioned for success and ready to take on bigger projects as we work to expand our business in 2024,” mentioned a Blue Ant spokesperson.
The operation homes MarbleMedia and Blue Ant Media’s Blue Ant Studios, Saloon Media and Look Mom! Productions, distribution corporations Blue Ant International and Distribution360 and exhibits equivalent to Drag Race, Doomlands, Blown Away and Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies. Blue Ant’s Singapore-based Beach House Pictures will stay separate.
Separately, former Blue Ant International EVP Solange Attwood exited lately to launch her personal enterprise. That head of worldwide gross sales stays an open position throughout the merged studio construction and will likely be introduced in 2024, we perceive.
That position, overseeing the merged world gross sales staff, will likely be accountable for maximizing income from Blue Ant’s catalogue of unscripted, scripted, pure historical past, children & household and animation content material and gross sales actions and dealing with colleagues on company distribution technique.
“In an era where creativity meets excellence, we proudly unveil Blue Ant Media’s dynamic new studio and rights executive team — a visionary ensemble dedicated to crafting compelling narratives for global partners and pushing creative boundaries,” mentioned Bishop and Matthew Hornburg in an announcement to Deadline. “Together, they bring a tapestry of expertise, innovation and passion, poised to elevate our super-charged studio to unprecedented heights.”
Outside of the brand new studios enterprise, Blue Ant additionally homes a world channels and media division. This comprises the likes of Love Nature, Cottage Life, Smithsonian Channel Canada, BBC Earth Canada, HauntTV, Homeful, Drag Race Universe, Total Crime, HistoryTime and Love Pets.