Blue Ant Media has tapped Craig Junner (pictured, right) to oversee the content and programming strategies of its Canadian channels.

As VP, programming, Canadian Media, Junner will lead Blue Ant’s eight linear channels, including Love Nature, Makeful, T +E and Cottage Life, and oversee the strategy for its SVOD and AVOD content. Junner has been with the Toronto-based media company since its inception in 2011, starting as senior manager of programming. He has previously held senior roles at Global, CanWest, CTV and Shaw Media.

Blue Ant has also promoted Sarah Etherden (pictured, below left) to VP, global communications, which will see her continue to oversee Blue Ant’s internal communications and build the global promotion of its distribution, production and media brands. Etherden has more than 15 years of communications experience, working with companies such as marblemedia, Guru Studio and Teletoon Canada.

Both roles report to Jamie Schouela, who was recently promoted to president, global channels and media, to lead its global platforms, both linear and streaming.

“These promotions reflect the key roles that Sarah and Craig have both played in propelling Blue Ant Media’s growth and success as a best-in-class international content creator and channel operator,” said Schouela in a statement. “Both bring invaluable expertise, leadership and passion to their portfolios and will continue to be essential in driving the company’s momentum in our evolving industry.”

Blue Ant has continued to evolve despite global production disruptions in 2020. The company sold gaming and esports network Omnia Media to Enthusiast Gaming in August, picking up a minority stake in Enthusiast as part of the deal, and acquired tech news site MobileSyrup in October to expand its digital footprint. It has also continued to maintain its unscripted production for channels such as Love Nature and T+E.