Canada’s Big Time Decent Launches Distribution Arm With Moonbug Exec Sarah McCormack
- Jesse Whittock
- Aug 14
- 2 min read
EXCLUSIVE: Here’s an early marker for the upcoming MIPCOM Cannes. Canadian production house Big Time Decent is launching a distribution arm ahead of the market.
Big Time Decent International will debut at October’s industry get-together, with René Brar expanding his role to lead the division at Head of Development & Sales. Sarah McCormack, the former Beyond Rights sales exec who was most recently at Moonbug Entertainment, has also joined the support the operation.
Big Time Decent will form part of the Canadian Pavilion at MIPCOM, officially marking its international market entry.
To this point, Vancouver-based Big Time Decent has made the likes of Rust Valley Restorers, Backroad Truckers, Yukon Rescue, Underdog Inc. and The Last Captains for the likes of Netflix, Hulu and Discovery Channel. These shows will form part of the slate, alongside projects from Big Time Decent’s new scripted arm, Bread & Better Films.
At MIPCOM, Brar and McCormack will be “actively” looking for third-party shows to add to their slate, and has set aside funding for projects. They’ll also be shopping current titles.
“We’ve always made content with international audiences in mind but with our company now five years old and having secured a number of hits under our belt, the time feels right to start selling it ourselves and to see where else we can take our IP to help the business grow further,” said Matthew Shewchuk, President of Big Time Decent Productions.
Brar added that there was “a real hunger right now for character-driven, unscripted series with heart,” and argued “that’s currently what we do best.”
“We’re excited to introduce our business and our content to the international market and to grow a distribution label that reflects the same creative values as our production company,” said Brar. “I’m thrilled to have this opportunity and grateful to have Sarah McCormack by my side offering support and sharing her expertise.”
McCormack has been Head of EMEA Sales for Cocomelon and Blippi maker Moonbug for two years. Prior to that, she spent six years at Beyond, whose catalog was swallowed by Banijay in 2023, and also ran North American sales for Flame Distribution, whose content is now part of Sphere Abacus.
MIPCOM, which runs from October 13-16 in Cannes, earlier this week announced a first tranche of speakers for its brand-funded programming summit. The likes of Banijay Entertainment’s Carlotta Rossi Spencer, Blink49 Studios’ Adam Puchalsky, Fremantle’s Roberta Zamboni and Sam Glynne, UTA’s Head of EMEA, Entertainment and Culture Marketing, will speak.