Boat Rocker Media has expanded its content team amid a number of changes in titles and responsibilities within its executive ranks to streamline operations.

Ivan Schneeberg (pictured right) and David Fortier (pictured left), co-executive chairmen of Boat Rocker Media and co-chairmen of Boat Rocker Studios, announced the changes Thursday (June 1), which include the hire of Michael McGahey as VP, content, kids and family live action, Boat Rocker Studios.

McGahey will lead development and production of live kids and family content, and is based in Los Angeles. He formerly served as head of creative development and sales at animation tech company Mindshow, and has also held senior roles at MarVista Entertainment and Disney Television Animation.

He reports to Nick Nantell, who has been named to the expanded role of EVP, head of scripted creative, Boat Rocker Studios as part of a larger shift in executive roles within the company. The former EVP, creative affairs will now lead all scripted endeavours at the studio.

Kerry Appleyard has been named SVP, head of scripted Canada, Boat Rocker Studios, having previously held the title of SVP, creative affairs. Reporting to Nantell, Appleyard will lead the studio’s Canadian scripted content.

The company has also expanded Jon Rutherford’s remit, who has been named president, global rights, franchise, and content strategy, Boat Rocker Studios. He will manage the company’s content ownership and rights retention strategy, including sourcing opportunities for copros, presales, and franchise brands, in addition to his existing responsibilities overseeing sales and exploitation of Boat Rocker Studios IP and brands, and overseeing its animated kids and family projects.

Additionally, Jill Danton, EVP, head of production, Boat Rocker Studios, will lead all physical production, expanding her remit to include unscripted and kids and family productions; and Hameed Ahmad has added head of finance, Boat Rocker Studios to his existing title of SVP, finance and operations, Boat Rocker Media, to lead financing across the studio divisions.

The executive changes are meant to “streamline operations” for Boat Rocker Studios “and allow the company to be an even more effective partner for content creators and buyers,” according to a news release.

Nantell, Rutherford, Danton and Ahmad all report to Schneeberg and Fortier. Ahmad also reports to CFO Judy Adam.

“We’ve built a world-class team and these updates to roles and structure serve to further optimize how we work with our valued creative and business partners around the globe,” said Schneeberg and Fortier in a joint statement.

Photo by Josh Fee