Leadership

Josh Scherba, President, Chief Executive Officer and executive Director, is a highly experienced entertainment executive drawing on over 20 years in the global industry. He has been with WildBrain since its founding in 2006 and has held a series of progressively senior roles in that time, overseeing a wide variety of functions across the organization. Appointed President in 2018, Scherba has fostered a content-led approach to igniting brands from WildBrain’s deep vault of IP as well as partner brands, and he has played an integral role in setting and driving WildBrain’s 360° strategy across production, distribution and consumer-products licensing. Well known in the entertainment industry as the primary face of business for WildBrain, Scherba has built strong, long-term relationships with numerous major partners, including Apple TV+, Netflix, Amazon, SEGA, YouTube, the BBC, LEGO, Mattel and many others. His passion for kids’ and family IP combined with his keen strategic vision have been central to driving WildBrain’s growth and reputation as a leading producer of premium content for streaming platforms and broadcasters worldwide.

Aaron Ames, Chief Financial Officer of WildBrain, has had a long career in management roles for public and private companies. He was Chief Operating Officer of WildBrain’s predecessor company, DHX Media, from April 2018 to September 2019, during which time he oversaw a program to improve operational efficiencies and streamline the business. Previously, he was Chief Integration Officer for DHX Media following the Company’s acquisition of Cookie Jar Entertainment, where he was Chief Financial Officer. A Certified Professional Accountant (Ontario & Ohio) and specialist in business improvement, M&A integration and synergies, Aaron has held senior roles with Atlas Cold Storage (TSX: FZR), Centenario Copper (TSX: CCT), Coretec (TSX: CYY) and TSC Stores LP. Aaron graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 1993 with a Master’s of Accountancy and worked for Ernst & Young in Cleveland and Toronto until 2001.

Deirdre Brennan, Chief Operating Officer, plays a key role in driving WildBrain’s holistic content strategy, overseeing integrated operations across the Company’s global Distribution and AVOD business, as well as its suite of Family-branded broadcast channels in Canada. Ms. Brennan previously worked for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment as General Manager, Universal Kids, where she worked across NBCU to optimize their kids’ and family business. Production under her leadership expanded significantly at NBCU, earning 13 daytime Emmy nominations for the originals. Prior to NBCU, Ms. Brennan was Vice President, Content at Corus Entertainment, where she oversaw all aspects of the kids’ portfolio in Canada. At the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, prior to Corus, Ms. Brennan was ABC TV’s Head of Children’s, leading programming, acquisition and commissioning for Australia’s most successful children’s services. Prior to that, as Director of Content/General Manager for BBC Worldwide Australia, she managed BBC’s branded services and content development across drama, entertainment and factual, as well as regional IP management and audience strategy, including the launch of BBC First. Ms. Brennan also previously worked as Director of Programming, Nickelodeon Australia. Ms. Brennan is a Member of the International Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences and BAFTA North America. 

James Bishop, General Counsel of WildBrain, oversees the legal and business affairs functions of WildBrain and serves as the Corporate Secretary for the board of directors. He joined WildBrain in 2014 and has held a series of progressively senior roles in the Company’s legal and business affairs department since then. Prior to joining WildBrain, Mr. Bishop was an associate at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP where his practice covered a wide range of corporate and commercial matters. Mr. Bishop was part-time faculty with Dalhousie Schulich School of Law from 2015-2019 where he taught Entertainment Law. He served on the board of directors of the Atlantic International Film Festival from 2014-2022. Mr. Bishop holds a B.Sc. (Hon.) from Queen’s University and a J.D. and MBA from Dalhousie University.

As Chief Content Officer at WildBrain, Stephanie Betts is responsible for overseeing WildBrain’s content slate, cultivating an artist-led culture of creative excellence at WildBrain Studios. Ms. Betts’ expertise lies in building and leading strong, creatively driven teams, and in producing series that kids around the world will love. Ms. Betts fosters an integrated approach across development, production and studio operations, drawing on her considerable experience and expertise in launching such notable WildBrain series as Snoopy in Space; The Snoopy Show; Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry in the Big City; Go, Dog. Go!; Chip & Potato; Degrassi and many more. Prior to joining WildBrain, Ms. Betts worked as a Producer and Development Executive at Breakthrough Films and Television, and previously at Atomic Cartoons. 

Danielle Neath, EVP Finance and Chief Accounting Officer, oversees WildBrain’s finance team, which is responsible for financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, tax, rights management and royalties. She joined the Company as VP, Finance in 2012, coming over with the acquisition of Cookie Jar Entertainment, where she was VP Corporate Controller from 2009 to 2012. Since that time, she has held a series of progressively senior roles in the Company’s finance department and now manages a team of over 30 finance professionals. From 2005 to 2009, Ms. Neath held senior finance positions at Softchoice Corporation and Harris Corporation. Prior to that, she worked for Ernst & Young LLP in London, Ontario. Ms. Neath is a Chartered Professional Accountant (Ontario) and graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2003 with a Master’s of Accounting.

Anne Loi, EVP M&A and Chief Commercial Officer, works closely with senior management and the Company’s talented content teams to help drive WildBrain’s leading slate of kids’ and family shows. She oversees content and IP investments, key external partnerships, and research & insights in addition to her responsibilities in mergers and acquisition activities. Ms. Loi has been a core member of WildBrain’s leadership team since the Company’s founding in 2006, coming over with DECODE Entertainment when it merged with Halifax Film to form WildBrain’s predecessor, DHX Media. Prior to joining WildBrain, Ms. Loi was Vice President of Financial Strategy at Extend Media and before that, she held various management positions at IMG Group (now Lavalife), Proctor & Gamble and Deloitte. Ms. Loi is a Chartered Professional Account (Ontario), holds a BA from Western University and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management.

Tim Erickson, Executive Vice President, Brand, at Peanuts Worldwide is responsible for overseeing and growing the global licensing business for the Peanuts brand. Working together with the family of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz, WildBrain’s content and management teams and brand co-owners Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), Mr. Erickson sets and sustains a strategy true to the great heritage of Peanuts. Mr. Erickson brings over 20 years of experience in consumer products and brand building with notable media and IP companies. He was Chief Operating Officer at GoldieBlox, an innovative media company creating STEM-focused brand experiences for girls.  At Twentieth Century Fox, Mr. Erickson led the global merchandise licensing business, driving double-digit growth across the company’s film and television brands. Before that, Mr. Erickson held the position of Global Head of Licensing & Operations at DreamWorks, expanding the company’s global merchandise licensing business to realize triple-digit growth. At DreamWorks, Mr. Erickson was part of the team that launched and accelerated the highly acclaimed film and TV franchises Trolls, Spirit and How to Train Your Dragon. Prior to DreamWorks, Mr. Erickson spent several years driving consumer products and sales strategies at Disney and LEGO.