Blue Ant Media has realigned its Global Channels and Streaming & Rights businesses, bringing them together into a single monetization unit to maximize the value of its content portfolio and position the company for global growth.
The company says combining those businesses under Blue Ant Rights & Streaming will alllow it to take “a more strategic and coordinated approach to content distribution, windowing, partnership development and monetization of its owned and partner IP across global markets.”
“As our content portfolio, customer relationships, and distribution footprint have grown significantly, it became clear that a more unified approach to content monetization would enable us to better capitalize on opportunities across platforms and markets,” said Michael MacMillan, CEO, Blue Ant Media, in an announcement Monday. “This structure gives us greater visibility across the content lifecycle, enabling us to better serve our partners, unlock greater value from our content across platforms and territories, and capitalize on opportunities in a rapidly evolving media landscape.”
With the changes, Carlyn Staudt, President of Global Channels & Streaming will be departing Blue Ant Media at the end of the summer. Staudt, who has been with the company since 2017, has played a key role in building Blue Ant’s global channels and streaming business beyond Canada, and expanding the international reach of its content across pay television, FAST platforms, subscription streaming, and YouTube.
Blue Ant Media’s operations will now be organized around three core business segments with Rights & Streaming, led by Mark Bishop, Chief Monetization Officer, responsible for global content distribution, rights strategy, streaming platforms, audience growth and monetization.
Studios will be led by Matt Hornburg, Chief Content Officer, Blue Ant Studios, responsible for content strategy, development, and the production business, including both owned IP and service work.
Canadian Media, led by Mitch Dent, President, Canadian Media, responsible for Blue Ant Media’s Canadian broadcasting, consumer shows, and Cottage Life publishing.
As part of broader reorganization, Blue Ant has also aligned its international sales operations under regional leadership, reporting to Bishop. Jon Penn will continue to lead the Asia-Pacific region, and Bryan Gabourie the Americas region. A search is underway for a senior executive to oversee the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.
Craig Junner has additionally been promoted to Executive Vice President & General Manager, Global Channels & Streaming. Reporting to Bishop, he’ll oversee Blue Ant Media’s global channels and streaming businesses, including its pay television, subscription streaming and FAST services.
