Blue Ant Media has promoted business affairs exec Kelly Payne (pictured) to a newly created VP role on its originals team.

As VP of strategy and operations, original production, Payne now oversees the negotiation, structure and deal management for Blue Ant’s originals slate, including enhancing the company’s strategies for co-financing and windowing.

She also leads the production management team, encompassing business-related operations for content commissions, internal workflows, rights and systems infrastructure.

Payne now reports to Craig Junner, SVP, programming and content strategy, global media, and works closely with Sam Linton, VP of production and development, global media.

Prior to her promotion, Payne was senior director, business affairs, content and production financing, where she led the strategic approach to financing for production and development teams. She first joined Blue Ant in 2020.

Payne’s previous roles include more than 10 years at Ontario Creates in various roles, including program consultant, as well as management roles at Rogers and Bell Media. She also sits on the board of directors for Computer Animation Studios of Ontario.

“Kelly’s knowledge of the production world and her extensive work with the Canada Media Fund and other funding bodies will be an invaluable asset in creating our annual original commissioning,” said Junner in a statement. “Having Kelly in this new position rounds out the commissioning team and sets us up for growth across our channels business.”

Photo courtesy of Blue Ant Media