David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg
Boat Rocker announced it has made updates to the roles of several key senior executives reporting to Studio Co-Chairmen Ivan Schneeberg & David Fortier. The changes will further streamline the operations of the Studio and allow the company to be an even more effective partner for content creators and buyers. "We're excited to be continuing to strengthen the connectivity between our company and the marketplace through several key updates across Boat Rocker Studios," said Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier, Co-Executive Chairmen, Boat Rocker Media and Co-Chairmen, Boat Rocker Studios. "We've built a world-class team, and these updates to roles and structure serve to optimize further how we work with our valued creative and business partners around the globe."
Effective immediately, Jon Rutherford, formerly President, Kids & Family and Rights, Boat Rocker Studios, is taking on the new role of President of Global Rights, Franchise, and Content Strategy, Boat Rocker Studios. In this role, Rutherford will continue to oversee the sale and exploitation of all Boat Rocker-owned or managed IP and brands worldwide and oversee animated kids and family projects. In addition, Rutherford will assume an expanded role in the management of the Studio's content ownership and rights retention strategy and will be responsible for sourcing projects, pre-sales, co-productions, regional productions, and franchise brand opportunities across all genres in line with that content strategy. Rutherford will report to Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier.
Nick Nantell, formerly EVP of Creative Affairs, Boat Rocker Studios, Scripted, is taking on the role of EVP, Head of Scripted Creative, Boat Rocker Studios. In this expanded role, Nantell will lead all scripted endeavors across the Studio, including scripted live-action kids and family content. Nantell will continue reporting to Schneeberg and Fortier. As part of this change, Kerry Appleyard, formerly SVP of Creative Affairs, Boat Rocker Studios, Scripted, is taking on the expanded role of SVP, Head of Scripted Canada, Boat Rocker Studios, reporting to Nantell. Appleyard will be responsible for leading the Studio's scripted endeavors in Canada.
In addition, Michael McGahey has joined Boat Rocker as VP of Content, Kids & Family Live Action at Boat Rocker Studios, reporting to Nantell. McGahey will be responsible for developing and producing live-action kids and family content for the Studio. McGahey joins Boat Rocker's Los Angeles office from Mindshow, where he was Head of Creative Development and Sales. Previously, McGahey worked at MarVista Entertainment as Vice President, Development and Co-Productions, and Disney Television Animation as Vice President, Development.
Jill Danton, EVP, Head of Production, Boat Rocker Studios, is adding oversight of unscripted and kids and family (scripted and animated) production to her remit. Danton, who now leads all physical production efforts across the studio, will continue reporting to Schneeberg and Fortier. Hameed Ahmed, SVP, Finance & Operations, Boat Rocker Media, is adding Head of Finance, Boat Rocker Studios, to his title, leading the studio finance function across all Studio divisions, expanding his remit to include kids and family and unscripted finance, in addition to scripted. Ahmed will report to Schneeberg and Fortier, with a dual report to Boat Rocker Media CFO Judy Adam.