Jordan Bortolotti has stepped down from his role as EVP, country manager, Canada at Studio71, effective today. Bortolotti, who established the Canadian extension of Studio71, is leaving after seven years to spend time with his family.

Studio71 is a global media company that produces and distributes content across all video platforms. Its Canadian outpost represents top YouTube creators such as comedian Lilly Singh and bacon-obsessed foodies Epic Meal Time.

Jason Kotack is being promoted to VP and will manage the Canadian operation, while Michelle Rai is being elevated to a director role and will handle programmatic media operations and inventory partnerships. In addition to those promotions, there will be new roles added for additional account managers and client partners to manage the growing business.

“We are excited for Jason to be stepping into this new leadership role as vice president where he will be expanding an already robust team in Toronto and Quebec. With several agency and client direct deals in place, Jason and the team are set up for many more years of success here at Studio71. Jordan will be missed, and we wish him and his family well as he takes some time for himself,” says Matt Crowley, co-CEO of Studio71.

Kotack joined the company in 2018 as director of media and brand partnerships. He previously held roles at Juice Mobile, Evolve Media and Say Media. Rai joined the company at the same time as Kotack and previously worked in sales at Rogers Media as well as digital investments at marketing agency, Hearts & Science.

Kotack says he is honoured to take on the role of VP and is excited to continue working with more advertisers to “expand their targeting capabilities on YouTube and align with brand-suitable content.”

Studio71 has expanded its offering in Canada, including a new product designed to help BIPOC content creators by allowing brands to target and sponsor their inventory directly.

 Bortolotti, who is stepping down due to an illness in his family tells MiC he’s taking a few months off, but eventually plans to launch his own company in the ad-tech and performance media space.