Coolabi Group has tapped Jo Redfern to fill the newly created SVP of digital post as it looks to build out its YouTube and gaming strategy.
Redfern will work closely with Coolabi CEO Will Harrison and the senior team to drive the digital expansion of the company’s slate of IPs. The outfit has also promoted Rachel Hughes to head of digital editorial and audience growth, reporting to Redfern. Hughes will drive editorial strategy, content programming, and community engagement across digital channels.
Further, the company has made several promotions, with Chris Snowdon upped to EVP, books and story; Allison Watkins to EVP, consumer products, and Michael Dee to SVP, television.
“We have huge ambitions in the digital space for our key franchises and we are putting digital at the heart of all our business, meeting fans on the platforms where they live and build communities,” Harrison said. “We couldn’t think of anyone better to lead this push than Jo. Her credentials, track record, knowledge, and understanding of this world are second-to-none. We look forward to her accelerating our growth plans across all digital arenas.”
Redfern added, “I’m excited to be joining Coolabi to lead the digital strategy and content creation for its portfolio of IP, particularly Warrior Cats. I’ve long tracked the brand on Roblox, now at 730 million visits and counting, and that was before I realized the scale of fandom across YouTube and the millions of views for fan-generated content! I am also excited to look at Coolabi’s extensive stable of IP through a digital lens, working alongside the teams in publishing, television and consumer products to build engagement and fandom across all of the company’s brands.”
