Winnipeg-based prodco Buffalo Gal Pictures has appointed a new head of development.

Jennifer Beasley has been promoted from production executive to lead the company’s development department. Beasley joined Buffalo Gal in January 2016 and previously worked as a story coordinator and writer on series such as Less Than Kind and Cra$h & Burn. 

In the new role, Beasley will be tasked with expanding Buffalo Gal’s film and TV slate. The prodco founded in 1994 has found success with series such as HBO Canada’s Less Than Kind, City TV’s Sunnyside and Guy Maddin’s critically acclaimed feature My Winnipeg. 

Beasley told Playback Daily that the company is committed to developing a diverse slate of content across genres and typically has about five or six projects in development at a given time, though she hopes to put more projects into development going forward. She added that she’s looking forward to nurturing relationships with Winnipeg and Canadian creative talent, as well as broadcasters and producing partners.

She’ll also work to expand Buffalo Gal’s reach to include web and digital content and series, commenting that it’s an area that the company has been looking to get involved with, she said. “It’s a whole new world today in terms of finding content and broadcasting content and it’s a whole new audience to reach and connect with.”

Beasley will be based in Winnipeg and report to Phyllis Laing, president of Buffalo Gal and Jeff Beesley, president of creative content. She’ll work collaboratively with Isaac Clements, VP of sales and marketing.