Laura Jabalee Johnston has joined Toronto-based Hitsby Entertainment as a partner and executive producer.

Jabalee Johnston will work with founder Andrew Morris to develop a slate of scripted comedy and drama series, according to a news release.

Jabalee Johnston most recently served as general manager of the Hasbro-owned Wizards of the Coast mobile gaming studio Find Your Fun. Prior to that role, she served as director of business affairs at Toronto-based immersive content studio Secret Location.

Morris launched Hitsby in June 2023. Prior to that, he served as manager of independent production at AMI-tv until August 2022, where he launched and led the independent production business unit.

That involved overseeing the development, production, and business affairs of more than 30 shows. He also negotiated co-commissioning partnerships with CBC, TVO, Sportsnet, OUTtv, CHEK and AMI-télé.

Hitsby’s debut scripted comedy series, the 8 x 30-minute satirical news show The Squeaky Wheel: Canada, premiered on AMI-tv and AMI+ on June 24. It is one of five Canadian series nominated at this year’s MIPCOM Cannes Diversify TV Awards.

“Andrew and I are dedicated to telling bold, underrepresented stories and ensuring the creative process respects the needs of the storytellers,” said Jabalee Johnston in a statement. “It’s about shaping the production process around the creators rather than asking them to bend to outdated industry norms. ‘That’s how it’s always been done’— my least favourite line in this business.”

Image courtesy of Sam Gaetz