Rutherford to launch Temple Street sales arm

Jon Rutherford has surfaced at Toronto’s Temple Street Productions to run a new international distribution division.

The executive stepped down from his role as executive VP, distribution and business development at Temple Street compatriot Tricon Films & Television earlier this week, triggering a restructure that saw Karthiga Ratnasabapathy promoted to VP, worldwide sales and acquisitions.

Rutherford will be president of distribution at Temple Street, which is riding on its first commission from Netflix this week. Temple Street described the first as “the first step in the previously announced strategy to expand content production, distribution operations and strategic acquisitions”.

Rutherford will report to Temple Street managing director John Young. He said the producer had “an eye for fresh, entertaining content”.

“Temple Street Productions is experiencing a tremendous period of growth and we are thrilled to bring aboard a dynamic executive like Jon with a deep knowledge of the industry,” said MD Young. “The new distribution business allows us to keep on strategy, bringing our high quality content to audiences around the world.”

Temple Street’s Netflix series, announced this week, is Lost & Found Music Studios. The half-hour series follows a group of talented musicians struggling to find their sound at a prestigious music studio.

Canada’s Family Channel commissioned the series and will launch it in 2016, with Netflix premiering shortly after in all global territories except Canada and the UK.