The upstart Canadian multimedia company Wind Sun Sky Entertainment has announced two new hires to build out its already impressive executive suite.
The Vancouver-based company says it has hired on Jay Bennett as Vice President of Franchise and Creative Strategy, and Romney Grant as Senior Vice President.
“These new hires, along with a veteran super squad, hold over 190 years of industry experience among them, leveraging their combined expertise in digital content creation and understanding of cross-platform integrations to lead the way as a major global brand-builder,” the company says.
Wind Sun Sky Entertainment (WSS) is a Canadian multimedia company led by former LucasFilm executive Catherine Winder, who has worked on successful products such as The Angry Birds Movie 1 & 2, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Robert Kirkman’s Secret History of Comics, and the recent Amazon Prime hit Invincible. Based in Vancouver, aka ‘Hollywood North’, Wind Sun Sky Entertainment (WSS) builds franchises with a focus on creator-driven content for the global marketplace, producing in all mediums including interactive, film, television (live action and animation), podcasts and mobile apps.
Under the WSS umbrella is Skybound North, which provides a unique U.S. based partnership with Skybound Entertainment LA, one of the most innovative media studios in the industry. WSS / Skybound North has recently produced and delivered Invincible, an animated 8 x 1 hr. dramatic adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s comic book of the same name for Amazon Prime. In addition, WSS adapted the successful Canadian mobile game My Singing Monsters (115+ million players), into a toy line with PlayMonster and Commonwealth and is in production on the first of its kind live interactive animated show. They have also created Camp Bonkers, a kids’ variety show on YouTube and Toonavision, an APP which will launch in 2021 as well as an Audibles podcast for its property, Death By Unknown Event.
Founder and CEO Catherine Winder says one of the critical roles in the company is being filled by Jay Bennett, due to his ability to work across multiple platforms. “Jay specializes in spearheading and driving innovative cross platform content strategies by blending first-rate storytelling with digital, social, gaming, branded and interactive extensions.” said Winder. “His varied experience allows our team to dig even deeper into the many ground breaking new multi-platform applications we are involved in.”
Prior to joining WSS as VP of Franchise and Creative Strategy, Bennett was an Emmy-winning leader and content creator, working from page-to-screen, and having worked with global broadcasters and Fortune 500 companies including; Disney, Netflix, BBC, NBCU, Walmart and Kimberly-Clark. “Given WSS’s multi-platform approach to brand building, Jay’s leadership is the best fit in the business,” said Winder.
Just as important, says Winder, is having an SVP with deep knowledge business, law, and the creative process for film and television. The company found that combination of skills in Romney Grant, who holds a law degree, spent 10 years working as an independent producer, and served as VP Business Affairs at Paperny Entertainment and eOne Unscripted.
“Romney brings forth a deep well of experience from all areas of the media industry as a key strategist in all WSS business endeavours at this female-led company,” says Winder.