EXCLUSIVE: International TV industry veteran Noel Hedges has found his next gig.
We can reveal Hedges has joined Canada’s Boat Rocker Studios as Senior VP, Global Acquisitions and Content Strategy. The role will be based in Boat Rocker’s London, UK office.
This comes after Deadline was first with the news Hedges had exited Lionsgate earlier this year. A well known face at international markets, he has more than 25 years’ experience with senior roles at the likes of DRG, ITV Studios, Cineflix and eOne, prior to its acquisition by Lionsgate.
In his newly created role, Hedges will seek to increase the long-term value of Boat Rocker’s content portfolio through IP acquisitions, rights ownership deals and co-production partnerships. He will report directly to Jon Rutherford, Boat Rocker’s President, Global Content & Rights. Hedges will start with the company in early October and be at MIPCOM with the Boat Rocker team.
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“In addition to his wealth of experience, Noel is extremely well-regarded throughout the industry, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the Boat Rocker Studios team,” said Rutherford. “This is an exciting time for our company as we continue to execute on our strategic priorities, with a clear focus on investing in great IP and maximizing its value across our business.”
Boat Rocker’s projects include Netflix’s Bet and Geek Girl; BBC, Binge and RTÉ co-production Mix Tape; BBC Scotland and Sky New Zealand series The Ridge, Apple TV’s Invasion and Palm Royale, BBC America and CTV drama Orphan Black and kids series The Next Step.
“I’m excited to join Boat Rocker at a time when the company is investing so deliberately in distinctive, high-quality IP,” said Hedges. “I look forward to working with the team to source ambitious projects and strengthen and expand Boat Rocker’s already impressive content portfolio.”
Earlier this week, we reported that Boat Rocker had landed rights to Doula: A True Crime, an upcoming CBC doc series launching in Cannes at MIPCOM.
Following Blue Ant Media’s reverse takeover of Boat Rocker Media last year, Ivan Schneeberg, David Fortier and John Young formed a new business to take over Boat Rocker Studios and effectively relaunched the business. It has Toronto, London, L.A., New York and Hong Kong.
