The Canadian company begins 2024 with important changes within the original content management team to add talent to help boost its international sales.
Corus Entertainment announced changes to the original content leadership team for Corus Studios and Nelvana, with several executives leaving and new talent arriving. Rachel Nelson was named Vice President of Original Programming and Head of Corus Studios, and Mellany Welsh assumed the position of Vice President and Head of Nelvana.
The appointments were effective February 1, 2024, and both executives report directly to Troy Reeb, the company’s Executive Vice President of Networks and Content.
Rachel Nelson, who took over as head of Corus Studios, has a long history of overseeing the development and production of scripted and unscripted programs for Corus. In this new role, she will lead all commissions with the independent producer community and work to expand Corus’ offering of original fiction, lifestyle, factual and reality programs. He will also oversee the continued growth of Corus Studios.
Meanwhile, Mellany Welsh, named vice president and head of Nelvana, brings years of experience leading Nelvana’s licensing and merchandising business, partnering with major children’s brands to bring popular characters to the screen and maximize related revenues. In her new role, Welsh will oversee all aspects of Corus’ live-action and children’s animation studio, including book publisher Kids Can Press.
Troy Reeb, executive vice president of networks and content, said the announced changes support its goal of prioritizing higher returns on investment for its networks and international sales. “Amid ongoing changes in the competitive landscape of Canadian programming and building on many years of success in growing our range of original Corus content,” he said.
The executive noted that Corus has fostered incredible creative talent and has a legacy of producing great Canadian programming. “I am confident that legacy will continue to grow under Rachel and Mellany’s leadership.”
With the changes announced by the company, Lisa Godfrey, senior vice president of Original Programming and Corus Studios, stepped down from her position. During her 24-year tenure with the company, Godfrey has been at the helm of Canadian original programming and contributed to Corus Studios’ distribution business growth. Following his departure, the position will be eliminated.
Pam Westman stepped down as President of Nelvana. During her five years as President, Westman was instrumental in the global expansion of Nelvana’s licensing and sales portfolio and in establishing major partnerships with international children’s brands.
Jeff Norton, head of Waterside Studios, also left the company. Corus will hire Westman and Norton in a consulting capacity for several months following their departure to support the transition.
