TORONTO – Blue Ant Media unveiled changes to its management team Wednesday, including new additions and a realignment of internal talent.
The moves, which the company said are designed to accelerate its continued growth, are effective immediately.
– Jamie Schouela, formerly Blue Ant Media’s EVP, Marketing and Communications, has been appointed to the newly created role of EVP, Canadian Networks. Schouela is charged with leading the strategic direction of the company’s domestic television and digital properties including multi-platform content strategy and scheduling, marketing, communications and ad operations. He will continue to oversee relationships with the company’s cable, IPTV and satellite partners nationally.
– Vanessa Case, EVP, Content is in charge of leading Blue Ant Media’s content strategy, production and programming for the company’s eight specialty channels. New to her portfolio is the leadership and strategic direction of its latest brand, Makeful. She has been tasked with leading this new property, targeted at craft-enthusiasts and makers of one-of-a-kind, handmade goods, in all areas of business.
– Marcia Martin, SVP, Original Content, Love Nature will focus on Blue Ant’s nature and wildlife original content, leading all aspects of content development, production and co-production related to Blue Ant Media’s commitment to produce and distribute internationally 300 hours of 4K wildlife and nature original content annually.
– Simon Foster will assume new responsibilities in the role of SVP, Corporate Development. Foster, formerly Blue Ant Media’s SVP, Digital Publishing and Business Development, will be responsible for accelerating M&A by identifying and acquiring exceptional companies that drive Blue Ant’s multi-platform content ownership objectives. Foster led the acquisition of Omnia Media: an LA based YouTube multi-channel network that has grown to 1.7 billion video views per month.
– Jesse Dallal has joined Blue Ant Media as VP, Product Development. A business leader with a strong product development history and expertise in digital user experiences and in creating great products that engage connected media fans, Dallal will be responsible for the development and delivery of high-impact, digital products for Blue Ant Media’s core brands. Prior to his role with the company, Dallal co-launched MavenSay Inc. in 2012, where he designed a mobile social recommendations app and subsequently co-launched Rithm Messaging Inc., designing and developing a mobile music-messaging platform.
– Laura Pearce, who joined Blue Ant Media as VP, Brand Strategy and Fan Engagement, will expand her responsibilities with the company in the role of VP, Marketing and Digital. Pearce will now oversee the marketing and digital strategy for the company’s eight domestic media brands, such as Cottage Life, Love Nature and Smithsonian Channel Canada and their multiple platforms.
– Sam Linton will assume the position of VP, Production, Blue Ant Media. Promoted from her former role as Executive in Charge of Production, Linton will now oversee the overall development, production and co-productions for Blue Ant Media’s domestic digital and in-house content for channels such as Cottage Life, Makeful and T+E.
“Blue Ant Media is a fast-growing media company, these role changes and new leadership additions align our team with the demands of our continued growth, in Canada and internationally,” said Television and Digital CEO Raja Khanna, in the announcement.
