Picture Box Distribution

About Manager of Sales, Asia

Bio to come…

About Marilyn

In June 2001, Marilyn Kynaston founded Picture Box Distribution to satiate her passion for taking Canadian-produced television programs to a world audience. Since the company began, Marilyn has formed relationships with buyers from more than 100 countries and sold more than 50 series worldwide.

Currently as the Director of European and ROW (Rest of World) Sales, Marilyn concentrates on selling programs to her main territory of Europe in addition to the Middle East and Africa. She regularly conducts sales trips throughout the year to maintain her relationships with buyers. She also attends all major television markets including MIPCOM, MIPTV, and the Banff World Television Festival. Together with partner Kate Sanagan—who joined the company in 2003—she oversees all corporate aspects of the company.

Prior to starting Picture Box, Marilyn worked in the Canadian and Scottish film and television industries for twenty years, initially in production departments and later as an independent producer. For the past twelve years, she has worked in television distribution.

Marilyn’s distribution career began at Forefront Entertainment where she acted as the Director of International Sales with a concentration on dramatic and documentary series and films. This springboard allowed Marilyn to learn the ins-and-outs of the industry from buyer relations to financing and contract negotiations. The position also allowed her to attend all of the major international television markets. 

Marilyn has her BFA in Film at Simon Fraser. She currently lives in Vancouver with her husband and young daughter.

About Kate

Kate Sanagan joined the Picture Box team in the fall of 2003 as a Partner and the Director of North American sales. 

Kate’s industry career began at Sullivan Entertainment in 1999, where she was the Manager of Canadian TV and Home Video Sales. Sullivan Entertainment is a Canadian producer and distributor best known for its international hit mini-series “Anne of Green Gables”. While at Sullivan, Kate sold to and acquired programs for major television and home video buyers in Canada and the United States. She also created and implemented a licensing and merchandising strategy for Sullivan’s animated properties and was a part of the initial team that launched the successful e-commerce site www.sullivanboutique.com. On behalf of Sullivan, she attended television trade markets such as NATPE, Toy Fair, and the annual Licensing Show in New York.

Kate left Sullivan in 2001 to become the Manager of North American Sales at Canamedia Productions Inc., where she managed the company’s distribution department and sold programs to North American buyers. Kate presold Canadian series in development to American broadcasters, helping producers to close financing gaps in their series budgets. On behalf of Canamedia, she attended major television trade markets.

Currently, Kate and business partner Marilyn Kynaston share the responsibility of managing Picture Box Distribution. Kate is responsible for selling television programs to North America, Latin America and France, and acquiring product for the company’s catalogue. Kate attends major television markets such as MIPTV, MIPCOM, Kidscreen, Realscreen, and the Banff World Television Festival. She also conducts annual sales trips to Los Angeles, New York, and Montreal.
Kate lives in Toronto with her husband and young daughter.