Participant taps Copland as executive VP of content and platform strategy

Participant has appointed veteran Liesl Copland to step into the newly created role of executive vice president of content and platform strategy. Here, Copland will be tasked with designing and implementing how the company’s film and TV slate fits into the global distribution infrastructure.

She will also oversee sales and guide the company’s strategic options for all properties. She will also work cross-functionally with exec VPs of narrative film Anikah McLaren and Robert Kessel, and senior VP of global television Miura Kite.

Her new role begins Mar. 15 and she will report to Participant CEO David Linde along with chief content officer Diane Weyermann.

Copland says:

“Participant is an incredible company both in the content it creates and the broader service it provides to the global society as a whole.

“I have been fortunate throughout my career to be able to identify new business models and opportunities for content development and distribution and this new role affords me a broad foundation on which to continue to innovate around compelling and important content. I have also been able to touch upon the social and cultural impact space and now at Participant I am thankful to be able to amplify that work which has always been of great personal importance to me.”

Linde adds:

“Liesl brings a unique set of skills and experience to Participant that will advance our work in new ways and continue to build our direct relationship with the global distribution community.

“Tens of millions of people are now seeing and embracing both single films and series, multiplying that by all that we do as Participant, makes this an exciting moment for the company. We look forward to what we know will be an additive new position to our efforts.”

Copland, a 25-year industry veteran was most recently partner and executive VP of Endeavor Content, leading its non-scripted advisory practice and overseeing feature documentaries and premium nonfiction series.

She was with the company for 12 years, expanding into TV, international sales and other areas.

She also led the non-scripted advisory practice at the launch of Endeavor Content and was involved in the studio’s early investments in the 1Community social impact content fund and female-focused MadeUp Stories.

Before joining Endeavor Content Copland was head of Red Envelope Entertainment, and before that served as a sales consultant at Cinetic Media.