Advanced Television

Boat Rocker Studios outlines new strategic plan

January 16, 2026

Boat Rocker Studios, the independent entertainment company, has finalised an internal reorganisation that it says will better align the business with its strategic priorities as a newly private company.

Partners Ivan Schneeberg, David Fortier and John Young, who completed a management buyout of Boat Rocker Studios in August 2025 (the company Schneeberg and Fortier founded in 2003), have set a new strategic plan for the independent studio focused on the creation, ownership and global monetisation of premium content across genres and platforms.

“We’re thrilled to have Boat Rocker back in our own hands, and we have in place a long-term strategy to continue to build a world-class content creation and rights management business,” said the Partners in a joint statement. “We will be focused firmly on investing in best-in-class owned IP, either developed and produced in-house, or acquired from third parties. We aim to deliver to our creative and licensing partners unmatched expertise in curating and monetizing that premium entertainment across platforms and territories. We’re incredibly excited about the future of Boat Rocker Studios, and we’re confident these changes will position the company for continued growth and long-term success.”

In putting this new mandate into effect, the company has created several new roles and reporting structures, promoted several current Boat Rocker executives, eliminated or relocated certain positions and will be hiring new team members in various divisions over the coming months.

“With the realignment of our focus, we’ve also had to say goodbye to some outstanding colleagues. We sincerely thank everyone who was impacted by this decision, and we’re grateful for their many contributions to Boat Rocker,” said the Partners. “While we don’t take these decisions lightly, we believe our new strategy and structure provide us with the flexibility required to excel in today’s ever evolving and highly competitive marketplace.”

Jon Rutherford has been promoted to the role of President, Global Content & Rights. Rutherford will now oversee all creative affairs and production within the studio across Scripted, Unscripted and Kids & Family, in addition to his current responsibilities overseeing global rights, franchise and content strategy. Rutherford will join CFO Hameed Ahmad, Head of Business & Legal Affairs and General Counsel Samantha Traub, and Head of Human Resources Julia Dorfman as part of the newly formed executive leadership team, reporting directly to the Partners.

Mellany Welsh has been promoted to SVP, Head of Distribution & Brands. Welsh will now oversee the distribution division as well as the global monetisation of Boat Rocker’s owned and acquired assets. Welsh will continue to lead brand strategy and partnerships, consumer products, content marketing, and communications as part of her expanded portfolio. Welsh will report directly to Rutherford.

Also reporting to Rutherford will be a newly constituted content team led by current Boat Rocker executive Nick Nantell, EVP, Head of Creative Affairs, Scripted (which includes live-action Kids & Family content), as well as current Boat Rocker executives, Gia Delaney (SVP, Global Sales & Content, Kids & Family) and Natalie Vinet (SVP, Global Sales & Content, Unscripted), who have been promoted to lead pre-sales and the creative affairs teams for owned originals across animation and unscripted, respectively. These new remits will be in addition to their existing sales roles in distribution, for which they will now report directly to Welsh, in her new role.

“Our new organisational structure will be key to our success,” added the Partners. “We believe we have the right people in the right roles, and we look forward to building Boat Rocker Studios alongside them. We also look forward to welcoming new members to the Boat Rocker team in the near future.”

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