TORONTO — Blink Studios, the Canada-based indie studio recently launched by former Entertainment One executives, announced yesterday it has made two key creative hires.
Industry veteran Carolyn Newman (above, left) has been appointed as executive vice-president of global scripted, and award-winning producer Virginia Rankin (above, right) has been hired as in-house executive producer. Both appointments were effective yesterday.
Newman is based in Los Angeles and reports to Blink Studios CEO John Morayniss. She will focus on the development of scripted content for the studio, which was launched earlier this month with Endeavor Content as its anchor investor and lead strategic partner.
She joins Blink Studios from Will Packer Media, where she served as head of scripted television and production. Previously, she was director of original series for Netflix, where she developed 17 original titles including Clickbait, The Serpent, Echoes, Partner Track, Anatomy of a Scandal and Feel Good.
Prior to that, Newman was senior vice-president of scripted programming at Entertainment One, and she also worked at Amazon Studios, where she was in charge of development and production. Newman also worked previously at Canadian production company Sphere Media Plus as vice-president of English development and production and as executive producer on the police drama series 19-2.
“I am thrilled to be working again with John, my new colleagues at Blink Studios as well as the excellent executives at Endeavor Content. It’s a world-class team. Blink’s creative-first approach for Canadian artists as well as being a home that truly fosters creative collaborations from around the world really speaks to my passion as a storyteller and my career as an executive,” said Newman, in the press release.
“I’m also delighted to be reunited with Virginia as my creative partner. Having known her for over 15 years and having worked closely together on the drama series 19-2, I can’t wait to get going and make great stories for the world to see.”
Rankin is an independent producer who has worked across scripted development and production in Canada, the U.S. and internationally. She is based in Toronto and will work closely with Newman “to discover and work with new and diverse voices in Canada and internationally,” reads a press release.
Rankin was executive producer of Sphere Media’s award-winning medical drama Transplant, which has aired on CTV and NBC. She also served as executive producer of four seasons of 19-2 (CTV), and she executive produced seasons one and two of This Life (CBC) as well as Bad Blood (Netflix). Previously, Rankin was executive creative consultant on the CTV/CBS hit drama Flashpoint.
“Having previously worked with Carolyn and knowing first-hand her strengths in sourcing compelling commercial material, her talent for attaching the right creative team and her passion for supporting and inspiring writers to do their best work, we’re delighted to have her lead the creative efforts of Blink Studios,” said Morayniss, in the release.
“I’m also thrilled to have Virginia join us in Toronto. She is one of the best creative producers and executives working in Canada and we are so fortunate that she has agreed to join Blink. Carolyn and Virginia are a powerhouse duo making them an incredible addition to the team,” Morayniss said.
“Combined with their proven track records, keen instincts and strong relationships in the creative community, Carolyn and Virginia will establish a slate of compelling content while also supporting our producers and creative partners to help secure premium scripted IP and package talent for their projects.”
Photos supplied by Blink Studios.
