Boat Rocker Rights, the global distribution division of Boat Rocker Media, an entertainment company that creates, produces and distributes premium media content and brands, has named Jessica Watson, Director, Global Sales & Acquisitions for the division. Watson joins Boat Rocker Rights’ growing team as they continue to expand its content, partnerships and monetization opportunities with the addition of several new team members.
Led by Jon Rutherford, Boat Rocker Rights has acquired hundreds of hours of television across scripted, factual & lifestyle, and kids & family categories and ventured into first look development deals with content creators. This aligns with parent company Boat Rocker Media’s strategic expansion, with recent acquisitions and investments in animation and family content as well as investments in new platforms such as digital media publication, The Outline.
In her new role, Watson will be managing global sales in the EMEA region, specifically Scandinavia, Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East, & Africa, as well as worldwide in-flight. In addition, Watson will be responsible for acquisitions of third party content for Boat Rocker’s growing catalogue of scripted, factual, and kids & family series and specials. She will report directly to Rights President, Jon Rutherford.
“Boat Rocker Rights continues to strengthen the organization’s global presence with a wide array of content acquisitions in multiple categories, and Jessica has the business acumen and experience to build on this success with new third-party partnerships and collaborations,” said Rutherford. “In addition, Jessica will significantly add to our depth and exploration of new licensees and monetization opportunities. We’re excited by Jessica’s arrival and the growth of the division.”
Jessica has more than 10 years of experience in the media industry, primarily with international television, and is a veteran at all of the major television markets and festivals. Prior to joining Boat Rocker, Jessica was the Manager of Acquisitions at Entertainment One TV International (eOne), where she managed a vast network of producer, broadcaster and studio relationships, and was responsible for acquiring hundreds of hours of scripted and factual television for its distribution arm. Prior to eOne, Jessica worked as an Acquisitions Specialist at Astral Media (Teletoon) where she acquired television series and movies for all audiences, across five different networks.
Also joining the Boat Rocker Rights team are: Jodi Lutz as Director, Rights Management & Administration, who manages the sales planning and analysis, partnership reporting, and administrative responsibilities of the division. She comes from Ole Media Management and the CMRRA (Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency). Chris Hunt joins as Senior Manager, Media Operations, overseeing the technical assets and media servicing of the entire distribution division. He was previously at Blue Ant Media. Rounding out the division includes the internal promotion of Kelsey Griffin to Manager, Global Sales & Marketing. Kelsey now manages sales across Asia-Pacific, as well as marketing, promotions, and international events for Boat Rocker Rights.
Have your say: