TORONTO — Several former Entertainment One (eOne) executives, including John Morayniss (above), have joined together to launch a new Toronto-based independent content studio, Blink Studios, with Endeavor Content as its lead strategic investor.
Officially launching today, Blink Studios will operate as “a full-service indie studio focused on the development, production and monetization of premium scripted and unscripted content for a global market,” reads a press release.
Blink Studios is headquartered in Toronto with offices in Los Angeles.
The other former eOne execs reuniting to launch the new studio are Patrice Theroux, Jeff Lynas and Nelson Kuo-Lee. Morayniss will lead Blink Studios as its CEO, with Theroux serving as executive vice-chair, Lynas as chief operating officer and Kuo-Lee as chief financial officer.
In addition, Kirstine Stewart, former head of English services at CBC/Radio-Canada and vice-president of media at Twitter, has been appointed as non-executive board chair of Blink Studios.
Chris Rice, co-president of Endeavour Content, is also joining the studio as a board member.
As part of Endeavour Content’s strategic relationship with the new content studio, Endeavor Content will be Blink Studios’ priority distribution partner on a worldwide basis, the press release says.
“With its Canadian base of operations, Blink Studios will be deploying a significant portion of its capital to make investments in Canadian production companies focusing on both scripted and unscripted programming in all genres and formats,” the release says.
Furthermore, Blink Studios “will put in place strategic deals with best-in-class writers, creators, producers and other related content enterprises, as well as aggressively pursue IP in Canada and throughout the world.”
In addition, the indie studio “will apply significant resources to support new and diverse Canadian voices and will utilize its expertise, capital and extensive relationships to give diverse, unique and compelling stories an opportunity to reach a worldwide market.”
“I am beyond delighted and energized to be partnering with my former colleagues, Patrice, Jeff and Nelson, in this new media enterprise,” Morayniss said in the release.
“And, of course, we couldn’t be more excited about launching Blink Studios with the commitment and support of Endeavor Content as our lead strategic investor. When we first began our discussions with Chris and Graham, we felt that there was an immediate understanding and alignment as to why we were so passionate about building a world-class Canadian indie and how we were going to achieve success with a new and improved creative-first approach and strategy.
“And, with Kirstine and Chris joining our board, we have some of the best strategic minds in the business. We can’t wait to get going!”
“We are thrilled to be in business with such a phenomenal team and to help support building a business that leans heavily into Canadian talent,” said Rice and Graham Taylor, co-presidents of Endeavor Content.
“Blink is set up to invest in both the most established producers and the incredibly exciting emerging voices coming from Canada — where huge opportunity exists.”
According to the press release, Blink Studios is in the process of assembling its creative and production team and will be announcing key hires in the coming weeks.
Photo supplied by Blink Studios.
