DHX beefs up exec team to support original animation
Details
Louise Duffy
| 04 July 2019

Global children’s content and brands company DHX Media has made two new senior appointments to drive original animated content.

Stephanie Betts has been promoted to the role of executive vice-president, content, and will be responsible for development and production of DHX Media’s slate of original animated content, reporting to president Josh Scherba. Meanwhile, Todd Brian has joined the company in the newly created role of director of development, animation, reporting to Betts.

Betts has more than 16 years’ experience developing and producing award-winning series. She has spearheaded numerous DHX Media shows including new Peanuts content, Strawberry Shortcake, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Inspector Gadget, Teletubbies, Polly Pocket, and Chip and Potato. Prior to joining DHX Media, Betts worked as a producer and development executive at Breakthrough Films and Television, and previously at Atomic Cartoons.

Brian has worked in various senior creative positions on both animation and live-action productions. Past roles have included time spent at Corus Entertainment as a production executive for Corus Kids (YTV, Teletoon, Treehouse); a development executive, kids & family, at marblemedia; a senior writer at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC); and multiple credits as a writer/story editor ranging from preschool to tween/family co-view programming.

Commenting on his new job, Scherba said: “We’re producing an amazing slate of original content for the world’s top streaming platforms and broadcasters, and our development pipeline is rich with exciting new projects. Stephanie has been integral to the DHX Media story for many years, and as we increase our focus on high-quality original content, her vision and expertise in development and production make her an ideal leader for our talented content team.”

Betts (pictured) added: “I’m excited to continue finding new approaches to developing our evergreen brands for a contemporary kids and family audience, while expanding our slate of original content by collaborating with the creative community to develop ideas into the next big global franchises.”