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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, Josh 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, Josh 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.
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Nicholas Gawne, Chief Financial Officer of WildBrain, is a finance and operations executive with over two decades of experience in the media and entertainment space with a focus on kids’ and family IP. Prior to WildBrain, Nick worked at Entertainment One Ltd (LSE: ETO) (“eOne”) for almost 15 years in increasingly senior roles. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Nick was appointed Executive Vice President and General Manager at eOne following that company’s acquisition by Hasbro in 2019. In that role he oversaw international teams in finance, HR and communications as well as three operating units across location-based entertainment, app publishing and animation. Prior to this, he was Chief Operating Officer, Family and Brands at eOne, working across production, content distribution and licensing for such franchises as Peppa Pig and PJ Masks. He was also responsible for revenue streams for digital (including AVOD, YouTube, social and paid media), app publishing, location-based entertainment and music. Prior to this, he held numerous senior finance and business development roles in eOne’s Family and Brands and film distribution groups. Earlier in his career, Nick held roles with KPMG and NM Rothschild & Sons’ TMT (telecoms, media and technology) M&A team in London, as well as with financial communications firm Abchurch and media research firm Kagan World Media. Based in Toronto, Nick is a member of CPA Ontario and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. He holds a Bachelor of Science, Communication and Society (Honors) from the University of Leicester.
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Mark Trachuk, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, oversees all matters related to corporate and securities legal affairs at WildBrain, including corporate governance, regulatory matters, litigation and strategic transactions. A leading legal and governance professional, Mark brings more than 35 years of experience working as legal counsel and as a director for various public companies, with a key focus on the media and entertainment industry. Prior to WildBrain, Mark served as counsel at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, where he practiced corporate and securities law with an emphasis on mergers, acquisitions, strategic alliances and corporate governance. He also served as Worldwide Group General Counsel & Corporate Secretary for Entertainment One Ltd (LSE: ETO) prior to its sale to Hasbro. He was also previously Senior Partner in the Business Law Group at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, a leading Canadian law firm. Mark is called to the bar in Ontario and British Columbia and is a qualified solicitor in England and Wales. Mark holds a BA in Economics from Carleton University, a Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa, and an LL.M. in Corporate Law from the London School of Economics. He also holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
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As Executive Vice President, Content Creation at WildBrain, Stephanie Betts is responsible for overseeing WildBrain’s content slate, cultivating an artist-led culture of creative excellence at WildBrain Studios. Stephanie’s expertise lies in building and leading strong, creatively driven teams, and in producing series that kids around the world will love. Stephanie 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; Sonic Prime; Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry in the Big City; Go, Dog. Go!; Chip and Potato; I Woke Up a Vampire; Degrassi and many more. Prior to joining WildBrain, Stephanie worked as a Producer and Development Executive at Breakthrough Films and Television, and previously at Atomic Cartoons.
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Kate Smith, EVP Audience Engagement, is a media executive with over 20 years’ experience in the strategic distribution and marketing of entertainment content for major players in film, TV, digital and kids’ industries. Kate oversees WildBrain’s Audience Engagement teams responsible for delivering the company’s entertainment content to fans around the world, through its global distribution business, its world-leading YouTube network and its digital marketing channels. She brings a valuable understanding of how the intersection between content distribution and digital marketing can supercharge brand awareness and engagement, having previously served for eight years as a key member of the management team behind the company’s YouTube business, spearheading marketing strategies for WildBrain and partner brands on the platform. Prior to WildBrain, Kate worked in marketing for a range of entertainment, digital and media companies, including Base79, ITV Studios and Twentieth Century Fox.
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Maarten Weck, Executive Vice President, Global Partnerships and Licensing, spearheads oversight of key global partnerships with third-party IP owners across the entire WildBrain ecosystem of Content Creation, Audience Engagement and Global Licensing. He also oversees the Senior Leadership Team of the Company’s licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG, a trusted licensing partner for leading brands worldwide, with 50 years of experience in the industry. WildBrain CPLG provides licensing solutions for brand owners and retail partners looking to maximize consumer products opportunities around the globe. Formerly WildBrain CPLG’s Executive Vice President and Managing Director, overseeing global strategy and operations, Maarten has worked with the agency for over 15 years. Prior to working for WildBrain CPLG, Maarten held management positions with Memphis Belle, the Cookie Company and Keesing. In these positions, he worked with partners in the books, gaming, fashion and television industries. Maarten holds a degree in Business Economics from Hogeschool van Amsterdam.
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Anne Loi, Executive Vice President, Commercial and Corporate Strategy, works closely with senior management and the Company’s talented content teams to help drive WildBrain’s leading slate of kids’ and family shows. Her remit includes content investment oversight, M&A opportunities and WildBrain’s media solutions team, which drives advertising opportunities on YouTube, Roblox and other platforms. Anne has been a core member of WildBrain’s leadership team since the Company’s founding in 2006. Prior to joining WildBrain, Anne 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. Anne is a Chartered Professional Account and (Ontario), holds a BA from Western University and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management.
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Tim Erickson, Executive Vice President, Peanuts Worldwide & WildBrain Brands, is responsible for overseeing the global strategy and talented teams behind the growth of the franchises Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake and Yo Gabba Gabba! In his role on Peanuts, Tim works closely with the family of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz, WildBrain’s content and management teams and brand co-owners Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), to drive a strategy true to the great heritage of Peanuts. Tim 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, Tim led the global merchandise licensing business, driving double-digit growth across the company’s film and television brands. Before that, Tim 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, Tim 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, Tim spent several years driving consumer products and sales strategies at Disney and LEGO.