Blue Ant Media has unveiled new leadership across the company’s yet-to-be named studio and rights business, led by Co-Presidents, Mark Bishop and Matthew Hornburg, following the company’s recent acquisition of marblemedia.
“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. Together, they bring a tapestry of expertise, innovation and passion, poised to elevate our super-charged studio to unprecedented heights,” said Bishop and Hornburg, in a company announcement.
Led by Hornburg, Blue Ant Media’s Unscripted Development team includes Jennifer Harkness (Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies for Peacock), who has taken the development reins of Factual Entertainment from the studio’s L.A. office. From the Toronto office, Kelsey Espensen (Best in Miniature, Race Against the Tide) leads development for Unscripted Entertainment and Steve Gamester (Inside the Statue Wars, History by Numbers), leads Specialist Factual Development.
The studio’s Scripted Development team, under the leadership of Bishop, will see Scripted Drama & Comedy helmed by Carrie Paupst Shaughnessy (Davey & Jonesie’s Locker for Hulu and Amazon Prime Video), who will be focused on Scripted Production; while Melissa Williamson (Sitting Pretty) oversees Scripted Development. AJ Trauth (Armadillo Avalanche, Generation Mars) leads the expanded Kids, Family and Young Adult division, based in L.A. Josh Bowen (Doomlands) will lead the business’ animation studio in Toronto and its planned expansion.
Production and Post Production will be led by Donna Luke, who will work alongside the Co-Presidents in producing the company’s slate. Paul Kilback (Northwood Survival) will continue to oversee Factual Series; Aileen Gardner (I Have Nothing) will lead and support production for Unscripted, Specialist Factual and Factual Entertainment; with Stefanie Haist (Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe for Amazon Prime MGM) leading and supporting Unscripted Entertainment productions.
From the London office, Diane Rankin is leading commercial strategy and content financing for the studio’s distribution and production business, working closely with the company’s development teams in all genres alongside Ben Barrett, who oversees content financing and partnerships for the unscripted genre.
Bryan Gabourie and Gerbrig Blanksma will lead all sales activities from originals, pre-sales, content licensing, co-productions and strategic partnerships in the Americas and EMEA, respectively. Lilla Hurst will continue to lead the distribution team’s global acquisitions and content strategy from the UK office.
Blue Ant Media’s head of international sales role remains open.
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