WildBrain has confirmed a number of senior leadership changes and a streamlined business structure under a focused strategy designed to optimise its existing 360° IP management expertise, as well as drive the growth of key own and partner franchises across its core capabilities of content creation, audience engagement and global licensing.
As part of these changes, Nick Gawne has joined the company as chief financial officer, bringing over 20 years’ experience in finance, operations and business development in the media space with a focus on kids’ and family IP.
In addition, WildBrain has realigned its senior management team and business under its core capabilities of content creation, audience engagement and global licensing to focus on fully unlocking the significant growth potential for key proprietary brands including Peanuts, Teletubbies and Strawberry Shortcake, as well as key partner brands.
Stephanie Betts has been appointed evp content creation and will oversee creative teams behind WildBrain’s content in an expanded role that builds on her longstanding leadership of the company’s development and production business. WildBrain’s digital studio in London will now report to Stephanie, while working closely with the company’s creative teams to maximise opportunities for its owned and partner IP.
Kate Smith has been appointed evp, audience engagement and will oversee all aspects of WildBrain’s content distribution, its YouTube network operations and its digital marketing.
Meanwhile, when it comes to licensing, Maarten Weck has been appointed evp global partnerships and licensing, and will spearhead oversight of key global IP partnerships with third party partners across the entire WildBrain ecosystem. He will also continue to oversee all activities of WildBrain CPLG.
Tim Erickson will continue to oversee the Peanuts Worldwide business as evp brand at Peanuts Worldwide.
As part of the realignment to fully harness the 360° capabilities, the company has integrated the business and creative activities of its London-based digital studio under Content Creation, to become part of WildBrain Studios, and has also integrated the business and operations of its YouTube network under Audience Engagement, as part of its overall distribution and digital marketing business.
These capabilities will now function under the overall WildBrain brand without the ‘Spark’ sub-brand.
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