Alix Wiseman joins 9 Story

Long-serving Aardman sales chief Alix Wiseman has taken a new business development and acquisitions role at 9 Story Media Group, the expanding Canadian producer and distributor.

Wiseman had been at Aardman for a decade, running acquisitions and distribution for the British studio. Her exit from Aardman was announced last week, prompting a restructure at the Bristol-based business.

At 9 Story she will be based in the UK and oversee distribution and acquisitions within the EMEA region, bringing European projects to the Canada-based firm, and setting up European projects.

Canada-based 9 Story has been expansive in the past two years, buying Ireland-based and Octonauts studio Brown Bag Films last year, and  rejigged its senior management structure in April.

Following Wiseman’s hire, Claudia Scott-Hansen will remain as 9 Story’s vice president, business development, running distribution in the US, Latin America and Asia.

Like Scott-Hansen, Wiseman will report to 9 Story’s chief strategy officer, Natalie Osborne, who said: “Alix’s unique international experience and understanding of the world of quality kids’ content will be a tremendous asset for 9 Story, and give us a stronger foothold across Europe.

“Alix will be working with the local creative and production communities to source new IP and further solidify our relationships with broadcast partners.”

Wiseman added: “The prospect of harnessing some of the brilliant creative talent in Europe and marrying it up with the extensive resources and creative leadership of 9 Story and Brown Bag Films is truly exciting.”

Its expansion comes after a cash injection from ZM Capital and Decode co-founder Neil Court in late 2014.