ABOUT BLINK49 STUDIOS

Blink49 Studios is a full-service indie studio focused on the development, production, and monetization of premium scripted and unscripted content for a global market. Headquartered in Toronto with offices in Los Angeles, Blink49 Studios was formed in partnership with its anchor investor and lead strategic partner FIFTH SEASON (formerly Endeavor Content). With a combined experience of innovative deal-making and strong relationships in the creative community, Blink49 Studios takes a content-first approach by partnering with best-in-class writers, creators, producers, and talent as well as supporting new and diverse voices. In 2022, the company was awarded Playback’s Dealmaker of the Year.

SNR. DIRECTOR/VP BUSINESS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

Blink49 Studios is seeking a VP level Business and Legal Affairs Executive, to take a key role in our quickly-growing studio (named “Deal Maker of the Year” 2022 by Playback magazine), based out of the Toronto office, and liaising on a daily basis with the Los Angeles team. The ideal candidate should have an LLB,/JD, be called to a Canadian bar, and will have 5 to 8+ years of business and legal affairs experience in the media industry, with expertise handling Canadian production-related deals/negotiations/drafting, including proficiency with Canadian tax credits/funding plans (CAVCO, CMF, Telefilm etc.), and Canadian guilds (WGC, DGC and ACTRA). Executive to provide counsel (BA and legal advice), and oversight on both scripted and unscripted programming, including related development, production and distribution matters. Experience with production financing, interim financing and contingent compensation a plus. Must be a self-starter, and able to handle and trouble-shoot the above-noted deals with minimal supervision, as well as communicate effectively with internal executives, senior management and outside counsel. Executive will report directly to the head of Business and Legal Affairs (in Los Angeles).

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversight of the day-to-day business and legal affairs activities for Blink49’s Canadian development, production, distribution and financing, including interaction with internal and external production executives, as well as with talent representatives, platforms, guilds and government funding/tax agencies.
• Negotiating and drafting of all agreements necessary for such development (e.g. IP option/purchase agreements and all above-the- line talent deals), production, distribution and/or financing agreements (including interprovincial co-productions and international treaty co-productions), and all ancillary agreements.
• Provide general and strategic advice on all aspects of the studio’s Canadian deal-making (clearance issues, risk assessment, guild-related matters, government funding requirements etc.), and miscellaneous general legal and corporate issues.
• Coordinate and interface with outside legal counsel on various legal matters, as necessary.
• Assist with implementing and updating processes and forms, and keeping apprised of industry trends and issues.

Qualifications and Personal Attributes:

• Qualified lawyer with a minimum of 5-8+ years of relevant, transactional entertainment/media industry experience in Canada (in development/production/distribution/financing).
• Expertise in the Canadian tax credit/funding environment including CAVCO federal and provincial tax credit regulations, CMF guidelines, and Telefilm co-production treaties.
• Highly familiar and proficient with: Canadian guild agreements (ACTRA, WGC and DGC) and some familiarity with how they interact with/differ from US guild agreements (SAG,/AFTRA WGA and DGA).
• Motivated self-starter and who is looking to take next step by becoming part of a growing and dynamic company – one that offers engagement and visibility in both the US and Canadian marketplace, and room for growth.
• Ability to communicate orally and in written form, in a professional and concise manner, with internal and external executives.
• Ability to problem solve and anticipate potential issues in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including honesty and integrity.
• Must have solid work ethic and be a team player.
• Ability to juggle a high volume of multiple projects at once, and to prioritize accordingly.

All resumes should be submitted to contact@blink49.com. Please include the job title in the subject line.