Boat Rocker Names Mellany Welsh as Senior Vice President of Brand Partnerships and Content MarketingBoat Rocker Names Mellany Welsh as Senior Vice President of Brand Partnerships and Content Marketing

Boat Rocker, an independent, integrated global entertainment company, announced it has hired Mellany Welsh as senior vice president, brand partnerships and content marketing. Welsh will lead Boat Rocker’s brand strategy, partnerships, licensing and content marketing initiatives across its scripted, unscripted, and kids and family studio divisions. She will also manage the company’s extensive brand portfolio and develop further partnership opportunities across all genres.  

Welsh will be based in Boat Rocker’s Toronto office and will report directly to Jon Rutherford, president, global rights, franchise and content strategy, Boat Rocker Studios.  

“We’re beyond excited to welcome Mellany to Boat Rocker,” says Rutherford. “She’s a strong, innovative leader with excellent industry relationships and a proven track record of success. We’re confident her deep expertise across all aspects of brand partnership management within a global studio will help further fuel our growth.”   

"I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Boat Rocker team,” says Welsh. “Their track record for innovation, creativity and storytelling is unparalleled, and I am excited to contribute to such a dynamic, forward-thinking organization. I look forward to collaborating with this talented team to drive growth and explore new opportunities that will shape the future of the business." 

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With over 20 years of experience, Welsh joins Boat Rocker from Corus Entertainment, where she most recently served as vice president and head of Nelvana and Kids Can Press. Welsh oversaw the Nelvana Studio business, which included global brand strategy, content distribution, digital initiatives, licensing, marketing and retail development for Nelvana’s extensive portfolio. Additionally, she led operations for Corus’ children’s publishing division, Kids Can Press. 

Before her leadership at Nelvana, Welsh held other senior positions in the kids and family entertainment industry. She served as director of global business development at ID Toys (Imports Dragon), managing licensing and new business development while acquiring top-tier licenses and diversifying product categories. As director of global licensing at BroadbandTV, she developed an advanced licensing and consumer products division and spearheaded strategic planning and execution.  

Boat Rocker oversees licensing opportunities for its numerous owned global brands, including “Orphan Black,” “The Next Step,” and “Dino Ranch.”