Indie Producer Sphere Media Bolsters Leadership, Names David Way as Unscripted Head (Exclusive)

Sphere Media, the indie producer behind Netflix’s Wayward and the CBC comedy The Service, has made leadership changes, including tapping David Way as executive vp of English-language unscripted series.

Based in Vancouver, Way will oversee the Toronto-based unscripted team with a focus on developing original series for Canadian and international partners. Way most recently served as president and CEO of Great Pacific Media, where he oversaw around 20 original unscripted series.

As it bolsters its English and French-language production units, Sphere Media has also promoted Judith Beauchemin to COO after she oversaw the company’s kids and family division. And Elise Cousineau has been upped to executive vp content, English scripted, after serving as vp, development.

Cousineau will continue to work alongside vp of production Andrea Glinski as Jennifer Kawaja has stepped down as president of Sphere’s English-language scripted division, while continuing to executive produce select projects for the company.

In other moves, Brigitte Lemonde will serve as president and executive producer of Zone3 after that company’s merger with Sphere, as she oversees its production and development slate.

Sphere, led by Bruno Dubé, CEO, president and executive producer, has upcoming series like This Summer Will Be Different for Netflix, and for the CBC the limited series Cold Country and the half hour comedy The Service. Recent series from Sphere include Mae Martin’s Wayward for Netflix, Drag Brunch Saved My Life, hosted by drag queen Priyanka, and new seasons of Family Feud Canada and Infoman.

Dubé in a statement on Friday said, “Sphere’s success has always been driven by the strength of our people and the creative talent across our organization. We are delighted to welcome David to our English unscripted team, while expanding the responsibilities of leaders such as Judith and Elise who have played an important role in Sphere’s growth. Together with Renaud, Jennifer, Brigitte and our teams across the company, this exceptional leadership group allows us to continue developing and producing the ambitious and premium content – in both English and French, in Canada and internationally, for which Sphere is known.”

The company’s French-language slate includes the unscripted series Hors réseau, original formats for Le calendrier de l’Avent and House of Secrets, and the scripted series Le retour d’Anna Brodeur, Anticosti and Aller simple.

Sphere Media also has a joint venture with Canada’s Bell Media through a co-ownership of Sphere Abacus, the international distribution arm led by Jonathan Ford.