Bennett handed expanded role at Shaftesbury

Jay Bennett has been handed a wider remit at Canadian producer-distributor Shaftesbury.

Currently head of the company’s digital arm, Smokebomb Entertainment, he will move into a new post as senior VP, creative and innovation.

The company-wide post, a new role, will see Bennett (pictured) oversee creative direction and innovation at Shaftesbury, including digital original projects, branded entertainment and research. He will continue in charge of Smokebomb, which he joined in 2008.

He was promoted to head of Smokebomb in July 2012, and is credited with the creation of the first Canadian short-form digital series that was taken to US primetime television, in the shape of Backpackers, which The CW picked up. It also launched a world-first mobile app series, Totally Amp’d and recently picked up scripted supernatural drama series V Morgan is Dead.

Before Shaftesbury, Bennett worked as creative director of Xenophile Media.

“Jay’s new role signals Shaftesbury’s expanded focus on exploring new content and revenue opportunities as media consumption habits continue to evolve and technology plays an increasingly significant role in creating new platforms and engaging audiences,” said Christina Jennings, chairman and CEO, Shaftesbury.

Shaftesbury’s TV slate includes new David Shore series Houdini & Doyle, which is a coproduction with Sony Pictures Television, Shaw Media, ITV and Fox; Slasher, which is for Super Channel and Chiller; and CBBC series The Moblees.