Toronto-based distributor 108 Media Corp has hired former Starz Network exec Nancy Silverstone as its new head of acquisitions and content strategy.

In her new role with 108 Media, Silverstone will be responsible for increasing the company’s reach across multiple platforms, including broadcast, digital OTT, home entertainment and theatrical. Silverstone is the first of a string of new hires the distributor will make in the coming months as it looks to expand its global distribution activities of genre films, documentaries and television series.

Silverstone was most recently the VP of programming acquisitions at Starz Network, where she was responsible for acquiring content for the network across all genre and formats, as well as working on developing coproductions for the Starz and Encore channels. Prior to that, Silverstone was the manager of film programming for HBO and lead acquisitions for international HBO channels.

Silverstone’s hire comes about three years after the distributor opened Tokyo-based 108 Asia, with the intention to expanding its influence in the region and focus on distribution partners in China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and Mongolia. The company is also targeting the Middle Eastern and Latin American markets, with a focus on expanding its content offerings for TV and digital platforms, said 108 Media CEO Abhi Rastogi.

“I have known [Silverstone] personally for many years. With our focus on growing rapidly our content offerings, she was someone I know who can quickly adapt and seek out the most diverse creators working today,” Rastogi told Playback Daily of the company’s new hire.

Titles currently in 108 Media’s catalogue include It Was You Charlie, Midnight’s Children, The Boy From Geita and TV series Nobu’s Japan.