Genius Brands International continues to expand its global distribution business to support preschool series Rainbow Rangers and Llama Llama, appointing Natalie Setton as Senior Vice President, Global Content Distribution. The news was announced by Genius Brands Chairman and CEO Andy Heyward, to whom Setton will report.
Based in London, Setton is tasked with driving international sales of the Genius Brands programming library, including CG-animated series Rainbow Rangers, which premiered in November 2018 to top ratings on Nick Jr. (U.S.), as well as Netflix Original series Llama Llama, starring Jennifer Garner and currently in production on Season 2. Offerings also include Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club, created with and starring the iconic investor; award-winning toddler brand Baby Genius; adventure comedy series Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab; and other projects currently in development.
“Natalie has amassed a wealth of experience and solid relationships with a vast number of global media platforms around the world to bring to her role at Genius Brands,” said Heyward. “As our strategy rolls out around the globe, and our operations continue to expand, Natalie is a perfect fit to facilitate our growth and success in the content distribution arena as we gear up for series rollouts in 2019 in territories all over the world.”
“I’m honored and excited to be part of the Genius Brands team,” added Setton. “I’ve been very much aware of Genius’s success and achievements with the development of timely and engaging content that not only entertains but imparts value and supportive messages to even the youngest of viewers. I am eager to begin working with the Genius Brands team to continue the upward trajectory, building on the company’s quality content distribution and partnerships.”
Since April 2016, Setton has served as Managing Director for Ludorum in the U.K. and has been with the company overall for over a decade, also fulfilling the roles in International Sales and Licensing (2008) and as its Commercial Director (2015). In these posts, Setton was responsible for developing and implementing the company strategy for the exploitation of Chuggington, its computer-animated television series, and managed relationships with all major clients, including Disney U.S., BBC, TF1 France, Super RTL Germany, ABC Australia and Fuji TV in Japan. Ludorum was recently sold to Herschend Entertainment Studios, and Setton will continue to be involved in their business moving forward under her consultancy company, Set On Brands Ltd.
Previously, Setton spent two years in children’s TV distribution as a sales executive responsible for the Asia territory working with other global children’s animated properties, including Little Princess, Transformers and My Little Pony. A fluent Japanese speaker, she has also worked in Japan as an account manager in the travel industry.
