WildBrain Names Head of Strategy
WildBrain has appointed senior executive Will Mahmood to the newly created position of head of strategy as the company positions itself for further growth.
Mahmood will focus on helping WildBrain’s content partners exploit the ever-expanding volume of digital viewing data available to the business, and will work on key projects supporting department heads with strategy development across the company. His appointment will see an increased focus by WildBrain on using the data and scale of its digital network to offer clients a unique competitive advantage.
Mahmood brings a wealth of experience to the business, having previously established the insight team at Little Dot Studios (All3Media). He has also developed digital insights for major production companies, properties and broadcasters including Peppa Pig (eOne), Octonauts (Silvergate Media), Warner Brothers Kids, Turner, Channel 4, and ITV. Prior to Little Dot Studios, Mahmood worked at the TV startup Beamly (formerly zeebox), which was backed by NBC Comcast, Viacom, and Sky, and recently acquired by Coty.
Nelvana Hires Three Industry Vets
Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana is strengthening its senior management team with three industry veterans for marketing, licensing, and retail. Reporting directly to Nelvana Enterprises head Pam Westman is Peter Crighton, director of marketing; Kelly Elwood, director of retail; and Tonya Lindo, director of licensing, North America.
As director of marketing, Crighton manages consumer and trade marketing for Nelvana Enterprises. He was previously manager of franchise marketing for Disney Consumer Products. Prior to that, he was senior manager, retail marketing for Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.
Elwood leads all retail executions for Nelvana in North America. A licensing industry veteran, who most recently worked as a licensing consultant, Elwood was previously senior vice-president of marketing and licensing at DHX Media and senior vice-president, marketing and licensing for the Cookie Jar Group of companies.
Lindo is responsible for all of the company’s licensing activities throughout the U.S. and Canada. A former director of North American licensing for Nelvana, Lindo returns to the company after serving as senior manager, consumer products at Mattel Canada and working as a licensing consultant.
These additions join Westman’s management team that includes Antoine Erligmann, head of Nelvana EMEA, managing both TV sales and licensing for European territories; Jerry Diaz, vice-president of worldwide sales and distribution, continuing to lead all TV and digital sales; Lily Yan, director of brands, continuing to oversee strategic direction for Nelvana brands; and Andrew Liem, director of creative services, remaining head of all creative development for Nelvana Enterprises.