Leadership

Josh Scherba, President & Chief Executive Officer

Josh Scherba, President, Chief Executive Officer and executive Director, is a highly experienced entertainment executive drawing on over 20 years in the global industry. He has been with WildBrain since its founding in 2006 and has held a series of progressively senior roles in that time, overseeing a wide variety of functions across the organization. Appointed President in 2018, Josh has fostered a content-led approach to igniting brands from WildBrain’s deep vault of IP as well as partner brands, and he has played an integral role in setting and driving WildBrain’s 360° strategy across production, distribution and consumer-products licensing. Well known in the entertainment industry as the primary face of business for WildBrain, Josh has built strong, long-term relationships with numerous major partners, including Apple TV+, Netflix, Amazon, SEGA, YouTube, the BBC, LEGO, Mattel and many others. His passion for kids’ and family IP combined with his keen strategic vision have been central to driving WildBrain’s growth and reputation as a leading producer of premium content for streaming platforms and broadcasters worldwide.

Nick Gawne, Chief Financial Officer

Nick Gawne, Chief Financial Officer of WildBrain, is a finance and operations executive with over two decades of experience in the media and entertainment space with a focus on kids’ and family IP. Prior to WildBrain, Nick worked at eOne for almost 15 years in increasingly senior roles. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Nick was appointed Executive Vice President and General Manager at eOne following that company’s acquisition by Hasbro in 2019. In that role he oversaw international teams in finance, HR and communications as well as three operating units across location-based entertainment, app publishing and animation. Prior to this, he was Chief Operating Officer, Family and Brands at eOne, working across production, content distribution and licensing for such franchises as Peppa Pig and PJ Masks. He was also responsible for revenue streams for digital (including AVOD, YouTube, social and paid media), app publishing, location-based entertainment and music. Prior to this, he held numerous senior finance and business development roles in eOne’s Family and Brands and film distribution groups. Earlier in his career, Nick held roles with KPMG and NM Rothschild & Sons’ TMT (telecoms, media and technology) M&A team in London, as well as with financial communications firm Abchurch and media research firm Kagan World Media. Based in Toronto, Nick is a member of CPA Ontario and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. He holds a Bachelor of Science, Communication and Society (Honors) from the University of Leicester.

James Bishop, Executive Vice President, General Counsel

James Bishop, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, oversees the legal, business affairs and communications functions of WildBrain across its global operations. In this role, James works to support all aspects of the business and operations of WildBrain and provides leadership on strategic transactions, financings, partnerships, corporate governance, litigation and regulatory matters. James also serves as Corporate Secretary to WildBrain’s board of directors and as a representative of WildBrain on partnership boards for the iconic entertainment properties Peanuts and Yo Gabba Gabba!. He joined WildBrain in 2014 and has held a series of progressively senior roles with the Company since then. Prior to joining WildBrain, James practiced corporate law at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP in Toronto. James holds a JD/MBA from Dalhousie University.

Stephanie Betts, Executive Vice President, Content Creation

As Executive Vice President, Content Creation at WildBrain, Stephanie Betts is responsible for overseeing WildBrain’s content slate, cultivating an artist-led culture of creative excellence at WildBrain Studios. Stephanie’s expertise lies in building and leading strong, creatively driven teams, and in producing series that kids around the world will love. Stephanie fosters an integrated approach across development, production and studio operations, drawing on her considerable experience and expertise in launching such notable WildBrain series as Snoopy in SpaceThe Snoopy Show; Sonic Prime; Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry in the Big CityGo, Dog. Go!; Chip and Potato; I Woke Up a Vampire; Degrassi and many more. Prior to joining WildBrain, Stephanie worked as a Producer and Development Executive at Breakthrough Films and Television, and previously at Atomic Cartoons. 

Kate Smith, Executive Vice President, Audience Engagement

Kate Smith, EVP Audience Engagement, is a media executive with over 20 years’ experience in the strategic distribution and marketing of entertainment content for major players in film, TV, digital and kids’ industries. Kate oversees WildBrain’s Audience Engagement teams responsible for delivering the company’s entertainment content to fans around the world, through its global distribution business, its world-leading YouTube network and its digital marketing channels. She brings a valuable understanding of how the intersection between content distribution and digital marketing can supercharge brand awareness and engagement, having previously served for eight years as a key member of the management team behind the company’s YouTube business, spearheading marketing strategies for WildBrain and partner brands on the platform. Prior to WildBrain, Kate worked in marketing for a range of entertainment, digital and media companies, including Base79, ITV Studios and Twentieth Century Fox.

Maarten Weck, Executive Vice President, Global Partnerships and Licensing

Maarten Weck, Executive Vice President, Global Partnerships and Licensing, spearheads oversight of key global partnerships with third-party IP partners across the entire WildBrain ecosystem. He also oversees all operations of the Company’s licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG, one of the world’s leading entertainment, sport and brand licensing agencies with almost 50 years of experience in the industry. WildBrain CPLG provides licensing solutions for brand owners and retail partners looking to maximize consumer products opportunities around the globe. Formerly WildBrain CPLG’s Managing Director for Northern Europe, the UK, NORDIC, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Benelux territories, Maarten has worked with the agency for over 15 years. Prior to working for WildBrain CPLG, Maarten held management positions with Memphis Belle, the Cookie Company and Keesing. In these positions, he worked with clients in the book, game, fashion and television industries. Maarten holds a degree in Business Economics from Hogeschool van Amsterdam.

Danielle Neath, Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer

Danielle Neath, EVP Finance and Chief Accounting Officer, oversees WildBrain’s finance team, which is responsible for financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, tax, rights management and royalties. She joined the Company as VP Finance in 2012, coming over with the acquisition of Cookie Jar Entertainment, where she was VP Corporate Controller from 2009 to 2012. Since that time, she has held a series of progressively senior roles in the Company’s finance department and now manages a team of over 30 finance professionals. From 2005 to 2009, Danielle held senior finance positions at Softchoice Corporation and Harris Corporation. Prior to that, she worked for Ernst & Young LLP in London, Ontario. Danielle is a Chartered Professional Accountant (Ontario), and graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2003 with a Master’s of Accounting.   

Anne Loi, Executive Vice President, Commercial and Corporate Strategy

Anne Loi, Executive Vice President, Commercial and Corporate Strategy, works closely with senior management and the Company’s talented content teams to help drive WildBrain’s leading slate of kids’ and family shows. Her remit includes content investment oversight, M&A opportunities and WildBrain’s media solutions team, which drives advertising opportunities on YouTube, Roblox and other platforms. Anne has been a core member of WildBrain’s leadership team since the Company’s founding in 2006. Prior to joining WildBrain, Anne was Vice President of Financial Strategy at Extend Media and before that, she held various management positions at IMG Group (now Lavalife), Proctor & Gamble and Deloitte. Anne is a Chartered Professional Account and (Ontario), holds a BA from Western University and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management. 

Tara Talbot, Executive Vice President, Global Talent

Tara Talbot, EVP, Global Talent, leads WildBrain’s Talent team with a focus on human resources, development, leadership and culture. Tara joined WildBrain in 2016 bringing more than 20 years of progressively senior experience in Human Resources and Communications across numerous industries such as technology, healthcare and entertainment. Previously, Tara held the role of Vice President, Human Resources & Communications at Workopolis, where she was responsible for establishing and driving employee acquisition and retention strategies, as well as establishing the employee engagement “best-practices” for Canada’s leading online career management resource. She was also the public-relations spokesperson for Workopolis with the media. Prior to that role, Tara was the Vice President, Human Resources at TeraGo Networks. Concurrently, Tara was a Professor in the School of Business at Georgian College. Tara holds an MBA, a post graduate certificate in Human Resources Management, and a Bachelor of Arts degree. 

Tim Erickson, Executive Vice President, Peanuts Worldwide & WildBrain Brands

Tim Erickson, Executive Vice President, Peanuts Worldwide & WildBrain Brands is responsible for overseeing and growing the global licensing business for the Peanuts brand. Working together with the family of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz, WildBrain’s content and management teams and brand co-owners Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), Tim sets and sustains a strategy true to the great heritage of Peanuts. Tim brings over 20 years of experience in consumer products and brand building with notable media and IP companies. He was Chief Operating Officer at GoldieBlox, an innovative media company creating STEM-focused brand experiences for girls.  At Twentieth Century Fox, Tim led the global merchandise licensing business, driving double-digit growth across the company’s film and television brands. Before that, Tim held the position of Global Head of Licensing & Operations at DreamWorks, expanding the company’s global merchandise licensing business to realize triple-digit growth. At DreamWorks, Tim was part of the team that launched and accelerated the highly acclaimed film and TV franchises Trolls, Spirit and How to Train Your Dragon. Prior to DreamWorks, Tim spent several years driving consumer products and sales strategies at Disney and LEGO.