Boat Rocker hires kids veteran Michael McGahey, retitles Studios execs

Canadian studio Boat Rocker has hired kids’ industry veteran Michael McGahey and, separately, updated the titles of several senior studio executives in a move that it says will streamline its Boat Rocker Studios division.

Michael McGahey

Former Mindshow exec McGahey has been named VP of content, kids and family live action at Boat Rocker Studios. Based in its LA office, he is responsible for developing and producing live-action kids and family content for the studio.

During his time at Mindshow, McGahey was the head of creative development and sales, and before that had stints at MarVista Entertainment and Disney Television Animation.

Meanwhile, Jon Rutherford, who was formerly president of kids and family and rights at Boat Rocker Studios, is now president, global rights, franchise and content strategy.

With the title change, he will continue to oversee the sale and exploitation of all Boat Rocker-owned or -managed IP and brands worldwide, as well as animated kids and family projects.

He will also take an expanded role in managing Boat Rocker Studios’ strategies surrounding content ownership and rights retention, in addition to being responsible for sourcing IP, pre-sales, coproductions and franchise brand opportunities.

He will report to Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier, who are co-executive chairmen for Boat Rocker Media and co-chairmen of Boat Rocker Studios.

Nick Nantell, previously exec VP, creative affairs at Boat Rocker Studios, scripted, is now exec VP, head of scripted creative at Boat Rocker Studios. In his expanded role, Nantell will lead all scripted efforts across the division, including scripted live-action kids and family content.

At the same time, Kerry Appleyard, formerly Boat Rocker Studios’ senior VP of creative affairs, scripted, is taking on the expanded role of senior VP, head of scripted for Canada. With her expanded remit, Appleyard will be responsible for leading the studio’s Canadian efforts.

Jill Danton, exec VP, head of production, is adding oversight of unscripted and kids and family (scripted and animated) production to her remit, while Hameed Ahmad, senior VP of finance and operations at Boat Rocker Media, will also become head of finance at Boat Rocker Studios.

The company said the new titles will make it a “more effective partner” for content creators and buyers.

“We’re excited to be continuing to strengthen the connectivity between our company and the marketplace through several key updates across Boat Rocker Studios,” said Schneeberg and Fortier in a statement.

“We’ve built a world-class team and these updates to roles and structure serve to further optimise how we work with our valued creative and business partners around the globe.”