Laura Jabalee Johnston joins Hitsby Entertainment as partner and executive producer

From a media release:

Hitsby Entertainment proudly announces the addition of seasoned media executive Laura Jabalee Johnston (pictured top left) as Partner and Executive Producer. Laura joins Founder Andrew Morris (pictured top right) at the Toronto-based independent production company, bringing her wealth of experience to an exciting new chapter for Hitsby.

Laura most recently served as General Manager of Find Your Fun, a Wizards of the Coast company, where she led the mobile-gaming studio and navigated the Canadian business unit through massive organizational change. Prior to that role, as Secret Location’sDirector of Business Affairs, Laura drove the Emmy award-winning studio’s integration into and subsequent spin off from its parent companies, eOne and Hasbro. Her leadership extends back to her time at Bizable Media, working alongside company founders and high-profile clients like ICF Films (Saving Hope, Burden of Truth), Halfire Entertainment (Alias Grace), and Redcloud Studios (Future History).

“I’m beyond excited to join Hitsby at such a dynamic time,” says Laura Jabalee Johnston. “Andrew and I are dedicated to telling bold, underrepresented stories and ensuring the creative process respects the needs of the storytellers. It’s about shaping the production process around the creators rather than asking them to bend to outdated industry norms. ‘That’s how it’s always been done’— my least favourite line in this business.”

“While Laura and I share the same production values, she’s also got a great storytelling sensibility,” says Andrew Morris. “With her joining the team, Hitsby strengthens its commitment to pushing boundaries and reimagining what Canadian content can be.”

Together, Andrew and Laura are developing a slate of scripted comedy and drama series, with announcements and talent reveals to come. Hitsby’s debut scripted comedy series, The Squeaky Wheel: Canada, aired on AMI-tv over the summer and is a finalist for the 2024 MIPCOM CANNES Diversify TV Awards for Representation of Disability in the scripted category.

About Hitsby Entertainment
Hitsby is a Toronto-based media company focused on producing bold, contemporary, and unapologetically premium content. The company partners with smart, cheeky new voices to develop unique properties for a global audience.

Laura Jabalee Johnston image courtesy of Sam Gaetz.

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