Blue Ant Media has promoted a number of executives in a move to expand its global commissioning volume, including expanded roles for Carlyn Staudt (pictured above) and Sam Linton.

The Toronto-based content producer, distributor, and commissioner has added head of commissioning, global media, to Staudt’s existing role as global general manager of Love Nature, while Linton (pictured right) has been promoted to VP, production and development, global media, from her previous role as VP, head of original content, Canadian media.

Staudt’s newly created role gives her oversight of commissioning across Blue Ant’s Canadian, U.S. and international channels, both streaming and linear, in addition to her work leading the content strategy for Love Nature. She will continue to be based in Washington, D.C., and report to Jamie Schouela, president, global channels and media.

Linton is now the “main point of contact for production companies,” according to a news release, leading development for Blue Ant’s original programming. She is based in Toronto and reports to Staudt, alongside Alison Barrat, SVP, production and development, Love Nature.

Additionally, Julie Chang (pictured left) has been promoted to EVP, business strategy and coproductions, global media, from her past title EVP, international coproductions; and Love Nature executive producer James Manfull is now commissioning editor at the multiplatform channel. Love Nature has also hired Katie Bauer as executive producer.

Chang, who also reports to Staudt, will oversee “business-related operations” to support the company’s commissioning work, in addition to her current work negotiating coproduction deals.

Manfull has worked as an executive producer for Love Nature for several years ahead of his promotion. He is tasked with growing Love Nature’s originals slate. He will work alongside Bauer, who joins Love Nature following her production work at National Geographic. They both report to Barrat.

Blue Ant Media has accelerated its digital linear strategy over the last two years, launching FAST channels such as HauntTV, Homeful and Total Crime.

“As we grow Blue Ant Media’s channel footprint around the world, scaling our original content lineup is critical to ensure we’re delivering brands that are both unique and internationally relevant,” said Schouela in a statement. “Our expanded global commissioning team will focus on creating original series and docs across our key content categories while working with coproduction partners to meet their needs.”