Industry veteran Carolyn Newman tapped as EVP, Global Scripted
Virginia Rankin joins as in-house Executive Producer
Toronto – November 22, 2021 – Canadian-based indie BLINK STUDIOS has appointed industry veteran Carolyn Newman as EVP, Global Scripted, effective November 22nd; and award-winning producer Virginia Rankin as in-house Executive Producer, effective immediately.
Based in Los Angeles and reporting to John Morayniss, CEO, Newman will focus on the development of scripted content for the newly launched indie studio. Based in Toronto, Rankin will work closely with Newman to discover and work with new and diverse voices in Canada and internationally.
“Having previously worked with Carolyn and knowing first-hand her strengths in sourcing compelling commercial material, her talent for attaching the right creative team and her passion for supporting and inspiring writers to do their best work, we’re delighted to have her lead the creative efforts of BLINK STUDIOS. I’m also thrilled to have Virginia join us in Toronto. She is one of the best creative producers and executives working in Canada and we are so fortunate that she has agreed to join Blink. Carolyn and Virginia are a powerhouse duo making them an incredible addition to the team,” said Morayniss. “Combined with their proven track records, keen instincts and strong relationships in the creative community, Carolyn and Virginia will establish a slate of compelling content while also supporting our producers and creative partners to help secure premium scripted IP and package talent for their projects.”
“I am thrilled to be working again with John, my new colleagues at Blink Studios as well as the excellent executives at Endeavor Content. It’s a world-class team. Blink’s creative-first approach for Canadian artists as well as being a home that truly fosters creative collaborations from around the world really speaks to my passion as a storyteller and my career as an executive,” commented Newman. “I’m also delighted to be reunited with Virginia as my creative partner. Having known her for over 15 years and having worked closely together on the drama series 19-2, I can’t wait to get going and make great stories for the world to see.”
Focusing heavily on a creative-first approach, BLINK STUDIOS is dedicated to partnering with best-in-class writers, creators and producers, as well as aggressively pursuing IP in Canada and throughout the world. The indie studio is committed to applying significant resources to support new and diverse Canadian voices.
Newman joins BLINK STUDIOS from Will Packer Media, where she served as Head of Scripted Television and Production and sold more than five shows into development to both streamers and broadcasters in just under a year. Previously, she was Director of Original Series for Netflix where she developed 17 original titles such as Clickbait, The Serpent, Echoes, Partner Track, Anatomy of a Scandal and Feel Good. Prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President of Scripted Programming at Entertainment One, expanding the company’s scripted television business with high-profile titles like Run, Sharp Objects and Gentleman in Moscow. Newman also worked at Amazon Studios, where she was in charge of Development and Production on more than 15 series including Bosh, Hand of God, Britannia and Good Girls Revolt. She previously worked at Canadian production company Sphere Media Plus as the Vice President, English Development and Production /Executive Producer on 19-2.
Rankin is an independent award-winning producer working across scripted development and production in Canada, the U.S. and internationally. Rankin was Executive Producer of Sphere Media’s multi award-winning medical drama Transplant, which has aired to critical acclaim and ratings success on CTV and NBC. Prior to Transplant, Rankin served as Executive Producer of four seasons of the International Emmy-nominated police drama 19-2 (CTV) which won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Dramatic Series in 2015. She also executive produced This Life S1 and S2 (CBC) and Bad Blood (Netflix). Previously, Virginia was also Executive Creative Consultant on the CTV/CBS hit drama Flashpoint.
As previously announced, BLINK STUDIOS is a newly launched content venture with Endeavor Content as its anchor investor and lead strategic partner. Headquartered in Toronto with offices in Los Angeles, BLINK STUDIOS operates as a full-service indie studio focused on the development, production and monetization of premium scripted and unscripted content for a global market. As part of Endeavor Content’s strategic relationship with BLINK STUDIOS, Endeavor Content will be BLINK STUDIOS’ priority distribution partner on a worldwide basis.
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ABOUT BLINK STUDIOS
Co-founded in 2021 by industry veterans CEO John Morayniss, Executive Vice Chair Patrice Theroux, COO Jeff Lynas and CFO Nelson Kuo-Lee, Blink Studios is a full-service indie studio focused on the development, production, and monetization of premium scripted and unscripted content for a global market. Headquartered in Toronto with offices in Los Angeles, Blink Studios was formed in partnership with its anchor investor and lead strategic partner Endeavor Content. With a combined experience of innovative deal-making and strong relationships in the creative community, Blink Studios takes a content-first approach by partnering with best-in-class writers, creators, producers, and talent as well as supporting new and diverse voices.
ABOUT ENDEAVOR CONTENT
Endeavor Content is a global leader in the production and distribution of premium film and television content. The studio’s film titles include Book Club for Paramount Pictures, Blue Miracle for Netflix, Just Mercy for Warner Bros and Joe Bell with Roadside Attractions, as well as upcoming titles including The Lost Daughter for Netflix, Ambulance for Universal Pictures and My Best Friend’s Exorcism for Amazon. The studio produces premium TV series such as See and Truth Be Told on Apple TV+ and Nine Perfect Strangers and the upcoming Life & Beth for Hulu, Severance for Apple TV+ and Tokyo Vice for HBO Max. Endeavor Content also handles global distribution for hit series including Killing Eve, Normal People and The Night Manager. The studio brokered the deal with Netflix for multiple event series from the Roald Dahl Estate.
Endeavor Content is a division of Endeavor (NYSE: EDR), a global entertainment, sports, and content company.
For more information:
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Pam Wilson
