People

Blue Ant Media has announced a series of leadership appointments aimed at strengthening its Kids, Family & YA business and aligning its global strategy across content development, acquisitions, distribution and consumer products. The new structure brings together the commercial efforts of Blue Ant Studios and Blue Ant Rights & Streaming under a coordinated approach designed to support international partners and accelerate growth across the company’s expanding Kids, Family & YA portfolio. The division’s catalogue includes preschool series Tralala and BeddyByes, animated comedy-adventure Mermicorno: Starfall, and upcoming live-action YA titles Crew Girl and Camped Out, both set to premiere on Netflix, with Camped Out also launching on BBC and CBC.

As part of the restructuring, Diane Rankin has been promoted to EVP and General Manager, Content and Rights – Kids, Family & YA. In her expanded role, Rankin will oversee the end-to-end commercial strategy for the portfolio, coordinating original productions, acquisitions, distribution and consumer products initiatives while continuing to lead content development.
Nicola (Nikki) Andrews has been appointed VP, Sales and Acquisitions – Kids, Family & YA, a role she will take on full-time in September. Following a year supporting Blue Ant as a consultant, Andrews will lead global sales and acquisitions for the division, strengthening relationships with partners and collaborating with regional teams worldwide.
Meanwhile, Vienna Downes has been promoted to VP and General Manager, Consumer Products, where she will oversee merchandising, licensing and commercialization strategies across Blue Ant’s brands. Grace DeLorme will also take on a new role as Coordinator, Kids Sales, Consumer Products & Brand Marketing, supporting licensing, brand development and marketing initiatives across the consumer products business.

“This structure positions us to better serve our buyers and content partners, while creating more opportunities to invest in the exceptional content, partnerships, and talent that define Blue Ant's Kids, Family & YA business,” said Jennifer Twiner-McCarron, President, Kids, Family & YA, Blue Ant Studios.
“Our Kids, Family & YA business is an important strategic growth area for Blue Ant. By further aligning our Studios and Rights & Streaming teams around a coordinated commercial strategy, we're strengthening our ability to serve partners around the world and unlock new opportunities across our growing portfolio,” added Mark Bishop, Chief Monetization Officer, Blue Ant Rights & Streaming.

The appointments follow Blue Ant Media’s acquisition of Thunderbird Entertainment and the successful integration of its kids media distribution and consumer products operations. As part of the transition, Richard Goldsmith, Executive Vice President, Kids & Family Sales and Brands, will leave Blue Ant to pursue new opportunities. Goldsmith played a key role during the integration process, helping expand the global reach of the company’s kids and family franchises and supporting the division’s continued growth.