DHX taps Diaz for distribution

Canadian children’s content giant DHX Media has hired an industry veteran to manage its global sales and distribution business.

Jerry Diaz

Jerry Diaz, who was previously VP of worldwide sales and distribution at Corus Entertainment-owned Nelvana Enterprises, has been named VP of distribution at DHX.

With three decades of experience in the distribution business, Toronto-based Diaz will lead the firm’s global sales team and will report to Josh Scherba, executive VP of content and distribution.

Scherba holds overall responsibility for creating and selling DHX’s library of kids’ and family content, which at 13,000 half-hours is said to be the world’s largest independent library of children’s programming.

Prior to spending more than seven years with Nelvana, Diaz ran his own distribution company for two years, representing various producers, including TV-Loonland (TVL), Evergreen Entertainment and Scholastic Entertainment in the US, Canada and Latin America.

This followed an eight-year stint with TVL, five years at Heart Entertainment and seven years with the ABC Distribution Company.

Toronto-based DHX owns brands such as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, Inspector Gadget and the Degrassi franchise. It also operates the Canadian networks Family Channel, Family CHRGD, Family Jr and Télémagino.

Diaz’s appointment follows the merger between DHX Media’s studios and distribution management teams in February this year.

At that time, Anne Loi was named executive VP of global operations, with responsibility for overseeing all studio and distribution group operations.

Scherba was appointed to his current role, with Stephanie Betts appointed senior VP of development and current series, reporting to Scherba.