Aquaslash, a horror film on the Horror Central YouTube channel
Australian AVOD Monetization Platform VA Media Taps Kristen Bedno for Executive Suite
March 9, 2023
Australian AVOD monetization platform VA Media on March 9 announced it has hired Los Angeles-based distribution and marketing executive Kristen Bedno as head of content partnerships and acquisitions, North America, in its first move to expand globally in the social AVOD space.
Based in Sydney and Melbourne, VA Media has built one of the largest networks of movie and unscripted genre channels on YouTube, consisting of eight channels and attracting 15 million subscribers. VA Media’s movie network publishes movies to its channels, generating significant revenue for its distributor partners based on the volume of views.
VA Media already has a significant foothold in the United States, where it helps producers and distributors including The Asylum, Vision Films, Alliance Entertainment’s Distribution Solutions and Indie Rights to monetize their catalogs in the social media space. The company has paid out more than $5 million to independent U.S. movie distributors over the past three years, with another $5 million to follow in the next 18 months.
In her new role heading up content partnerships and acquisitions, Bedno will help current VA partners expand their monetization capabilities via VA’s diverse offerings while also spearheading new partnerships with rights holders and producers and overseeing corporate communications in North America.
“It’s an exciting time in the AVOD space and VA Media is one of the fastest-growing social monetization companies in film, series, and social production,” Bedno said. “I am looking forward to helping VA expand its network of exceptional content providers.”
Originally from Southern Indiana, Bedno is founder of SideHussleLife, a marketing and distribution consultancy that focuses on amplifying diversity in film and television in the independent sector. Her previous roles include VP of distribution and marketing at Vision Films, where she managed producer and platform relationships as well as launching global VOD content.
Before joining Vision Films, Bedno oversaw sales operations and international marketing and publicity strategies for the Worldwide Distribution groups at Starz and Lionsgate. Bedno also previously served as Chair of the OTT.X Leadership Development Foundation initiative.