Boat Rocker bags Netflix, eOne execs

Canada’s Boat Rocker Media has expanded the team at its investment arm with hires from Entertainment One (eOne) and Netflix.

Andrew Spergel

Andrew Spergel has joined as executive VP of Boat Rocker Ventures (BRV), having most recently served as senior VP of corporate development and strategy at eOne.

Spergel led the integration of numerous companies into eOne, including The Mark Gordon Company.

Boat Rocker said the appointment, which comes after a flurry of M&A activity involving the firm, will “further accelerate the company’s capacity for global growth and diversification,” specifically in the US market.

So far in 2018, the company has acquired a majority stake in Toronto-based indie Insight Productions and bought FremantleMedia’s Kids & Family Entertainment division, home to children’s brands such as Danger Mouse.

BRV has previously invested in companies such as mobile app developer MarcoPolo Learning, animation firm Industrial Brothers and start-up studio CAA Creative Labs.

Spergel’s responsibilities at BRV will include leading M&A and strategy efforts across all of Boat Rocker Media, reporting to Boat Rocker’s chief revenue officer Michel Pratte.

“Andrew’s deep expertise and strong business-acumen across all media platforms will help us accelerate our next wave of growth, by bolstering our organic growth, M&A and strategic venture investment capabilities,” said Pratte.

BRV has also added Eric Taitz, who most recently worked at Netflix and previously Merrill Lynch, as director, with a focus on corporate development and valuation modelling.

Meanwhile, Lauren McConnell, who most recently oversaw the integration of UK-based Fremantle Kids & Family into Boat Rocker while establishing the firm’s London headquarters, has been promoted to director.