Australia’s VA Media sets up LA office on back of YouTube success

Australian entertainment company VA Media has named Kristen Bedno as chief operating officer of its fledgling US arm.

Based in VA Media’s new LA office, Bedno will also continue her current role as head of partnerships and acquisitions.

The appointment comes as VA reorganises, with CEO Mark Ashbridge naming Australia-based Hannah Barnes, former director of unscripted content, as content director TV and AVoD.

Barnes will oversee the company’s content strategy and look to maximise opportunities with YouTube as the latter encourages more companies to distribute movies and TV episodes on its platform.

Matt Campbell, content director, movies and scripted series, continues to lead the company’s core movie activities.

VA Media, which specialises in AVoD and social video monetisation, said it is helping deliver record millions in royalty payouts to its growing list of movie and TV distribution partners as YouTube viewing skyrockets.

The company recently added Boat Rocker Studios, Silverlining Rights and Hat Trick International to its list of clients.

It also has 20 owned and operated channels, including the flagship Movie Central, Family Central, True Crime Central, Horror Central, Spanish language Movie Central en Español, and the recently launched BLK Screen Central.

Mark Ashbridge, CEO of VA Media, said: “To be at the forefront of the meteoric growth of YouTube by partnering with key content providers has helped us exceed even our own goals for 2024 and contributed to our best year to date.”