VA Media has opened a U.S. office in Los Angeles to support its North American expansion plans after a record-breaking 2024.
Kristen Bedno has been named COO of VA Media US. She will also continue her current role as head of partnerships and acquisitions.
In Australia, Hannah Barnes, former director of unscripted content, will now assume the role of content director for TV and AVOD and will oversee content strategy and maximizing opportunities with YouTube Movies & TV. Matt Campbell, content director for movies and scripted series, will continue to lead the company’s core movie enterprise.
The expansion in North America comes after the company had a record-breaking Q4 in 2024. Its revenue grew by 29 percent year on year and resulted in millions in royalty payouts to its growing list of movie and TV distribution partners.
VA Media continues to close exclusive deals for its YouTube network and now for its YouTube Movies & TV offering. In recent months, it has welcomed content providers Boat Rocker Studios, Silverlining Rights and Hat Trick International to its list of clients.
“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,” said Mark Ashbridge, CEO of VA Media. “Q4 broke company records, and we are setting our sights on even more internal expansion and success this year. There was no question that establishing a foothold in North America was our next move. We look forward to an even better 2025 as we look to continue to provide our partners with best-in-class and compliant YouTube monetization offerings.”
