By Connie Thiessen
Blue Ant Media has promoted several executives as the producer, distributor and channel operator boosts its commissioning capacity following a year of significant growth in the FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) space.
In addition to expanding the reach of its Love Nature channel across 12 FAST platforms in the U.S., Blue Ant also launched the HauntTV, Homeful, Total Crime and HistoryTime FAST channels.
Love Nature Global General Manager Carlyn Staudt moves into an expanded role as general manager for Love Nature and head of commissioning for Global Media. In the newly-created position, she’ll continue to head up the wildlife and nature brand’s strategic direction and operations globally, while now overseeing all commissioning for Blue Ant Media’s free-streaming and linear channels in the U.S., Canada and internationally. Staudt is tasked with developing and envisioning new content slates for each of those brands, in addition to identifying co-production opportunities. She’ll continue to work from Blue Ant’s Washington, DC office, reporting to Jamie Schouela, president of global channels and media.
Julie Chang has been promoted to executive vice president of business strategy and co-productions for Global Media, overseeing commercial deal negotiation and strategic co-production opportunities for Global Media’s original content slate. She’ll also oversee all business-related operations supporting the editorial commissioning process, including production management. Sam Linton moves up to vice president of production and development for Global Media, serving as the main point of contact for production companies developing and producing content for Blue Ant brands and networks. Alison Barrat will continue in her role as senior vice president of production and development for Love Nature. All three will report to Staudt.
James Manfull has been promoted to commissioning editor of Love Nature, responsible for growing the brand’s pipeline of original series and documentaries. He’ll continue to report to Barrat. Katie Bauer Murdock also joins Love Nature as executive producer. She previously held various production roles at National Geographic.
“As we grow Blue Ant Media’s channel footprint around the world, scaling our original content line-up is critical to ensure we’re delivering brands that are that are both unique and internationally relevant,” said Jamie Schouela, president for Global Media, in a company announcement. “Our expanded global commissioning team will focus on creating original series and docs across our key content categories while working with co-production partners to meet their needs.”
This story first appeared in Broadcast Dialogue and is reprinted with permission. Feature photo: Carlyn Staudt, Love Nature general manager.
