Canada’s Blink49 names eOne alum Tara Long as president of global unscripted

Tara Long (Source: Blink49 Studios)

Former Entertainment One (eOne) exec Tara Long is linking up again with fellow eOne alum John Morayniss at his Fifth Season-backed outfit, Blink49 Studios.

Long becomes president of global unscripted TV at the Toronto-based firm and will oversee development, as well as assuming responsibility for managing its Canadian operations. She is based out of LA and reports into Morayniss.

The rejig has also seen Blink49 hiring former Bounce TV exec Ri-Karlo Handy as SVP of unscripted, who reports into Long, as does EVP Toby Dormer. Allison Brough, VP of unscripted, will continue to report to Dormer.

Ri-Karlo Handy (Source: Blink49 Studios)

Long worked for a decade with Morayniss at eOne and is being tasked with building a slate of series in the US that “maximise financing and production benefits, co-commissioning opportunities”, as well as potential export.

She joins fellow eOne alum Tashi Bieler at Blink49, who joined last summer as SVP and head of production.

Long was behind shows including Impact With Gal Gadot for Nat Geo and A&E’s Biggie: The Life Of Notorious B.I.G. during her time at eOne, while Handy was formerly VP of originals at Bounce TV where he created drama Saints & Sinners.

Morayniss said: “I know that with [Long’s] integrity, dedication and commitment to non-fiction story-telling and her incredible relationships with talent and buyers, Tara will build a powerhouse, best in class alternative division.”

Blink49 was co-founded in 2021 by industry veterans CEO Morayniss, non-executive vice chair Patrice Theroux, COO Jeff Lynas and CFO Nelson Kuo-Lee. Its slate includes The CW’s drama Ride, crime-solving procedural Wild Cards for CBC and comedy The Trades for Crave.