Thunderbird rejigs as Gamble switches role

Canada-based production group Thunderbird Entertainment has a new interim CEO and co-presidents following a rejig.

Executive chairman Ivan Fecan has taken on the post, with former chief executive Tim Gamble becoming vice chairman.

Fecan is a former president and CEO of CTV Globemedia, which was the company formed after Bell Canada Enterprises bought Canadian commercial broadcaster CTV.

He has been with Thunderbird since 2013, initially joining as chairman and consultant.

He will now become interim CEO, with Jennifer McCarron and Mark Miller promoted to co-presidents. McCarron is also becoming CEO of subsidiary Atomic Cartoons having previously been president and is joining the Thunderbird board.

Miller will remain chief executive of factual producer Great Pacific Media and a board member.

The pair will now contribute to strategy planning and oversee company management.

Thunderbird, which produces CBC sitcom Kim’s Convenience and ABC drama Somewhere Between, acquired Highway Thru Hell prodco Great Pacific in December 2014 and Atomic Betty studio Atomic Cartoons six months later.

Thunderbird co-founder Gamble, meanwhile, will be vice chair. He will now place particular focus on intellectual property, following his instrumental roles in bringing feature film Blade Runner 2049 and Netflix kids series Beat Bugs to the company.

McCarron, Miller and Gamble will now report to Fecan, as will COO Cam White, CFO Barb Harwood and senior VP of scripted Alex Raffé. They will also comprise Thunderbird’s senior leadership team.