Spotlight: Liana Dubois, EP’s Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand
“EP sits right at the intersection of creativity, technology, and commerce and that’s my happy place,” says Liana Dubois, EP’s newest Managing Director of Australia and New Zealand operations. She recently stepped into the role in October 2025, as Jane Corden transitioned to retirement, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy as the CEO of Moneypenny, and later Managing Director at Entertainment Partners.
Liana is a force of nature with a remarkable knowledge of the entertainment industry, honed through 25+ years of experience. She’s worked in every corner of the media and entertainment ecosystem, from brand and content strategy to operations and commercial leadership.
What excites Liana most about joining EP?
“I’m energized by the opportunity to connect the Australian and New Zealand production industries more deeply into EP’s global ecosystem. This region has world-class talent and infrastructure; pairing that with EP’s technology and expertise can unlock an entirely new level of possibility for how stories get made,” she says.
A seasoned executive with a laser-focused strategic mindset, Liana leads with curiosity and possesses a special skill for bridging both the creative and commercial worlds together to solve real industry challenges.
Liana’s career journey to Managing Director
Liana’s career began at Southern Cross Austereo and Network 10, where she spent a combined 14 years working in Marketing, Strategy, Sponsorship, and Sales. Her trajectory continued upwards when she joined Nine, eventually assuming the role of CMO.
During her tenure at Nine, Liana unified 19 brands and 22 million users into a single ecosystem, learning the power of simplicity and integration. She believes great strategy is often about subtraction, not addition, and rallying a team behind a shared story.
One of her most defining moments at Nine occurred when the organization secured the rights for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. To lead a production operation of that magnitude, she crafted systems and processes with the skill of a seasoned chef running a Michelin star restaurant. With a short runway, she organized what started as a chaotic beginning into a seamless global operation, consisting of a thriving production crew and an array of diverse talent, while playing a critical role in leading the commercial and advertising strategy.
A systems thinker with a heart for creatives
What is Liana’s secret? Her talent for moving seamlessly between commercial and creative worlds.
“My time in advertising showed me that creativity without commercial discipline is indulgence, but commerce without creativity is just administration. The sweet spot is always both. That blend of creativity and commerce is what I bring to EP. Oh, and a little sass and humour,” she adds with a smile.
How does Liana plan to bring this skill set of working with both the creative and commercial industries to EP, while also implementing systems and processes?
“We have an incredible portfolio of products at EP, from SmartStart and SmartTime, to SmartAccounting and Cashet, to Movie Magic Budgeting, and beyond. But the real opportunity lies in helping clients experience them as one intelligent ecosystem,” she says.
“Productions think in stories, budgets, and deadlines. My role is to help ensure our technology feels seamless, intuitive, and integrated. Not a collection of tools, but a connected production partner that simplifies every step of the process.”
Building a culture of collaboration
Not only does Liana see EP through a business lens, but she also believes collaboration is the heartbeat of any creative industry. With a passion for building up others for a more inclusive filming industry, Liana has served on multiple boards including, Feel the Magic and Cerebral Palsy Alliance, and currently advises on Inclusively Made for more authentic inclusion in commercial film production and the Women in Media Australia, helping women in media excel, learn, contribute, and connect. “Culture isn’t what you say, it’s what you celebrate," explains Liana. “EP already has a wonderfully warm and values-driven culture, and my job is to amplify that.”
As Managing Director of EP’s operations in Australia and New Zealand, Liana plans to keep building strong partnerships across the ecosystem with studios, screen agencies, creatives, and independent producers to ensure EP is not just providing software but solving real industry challenges together. That includes supporting inclusion initiatives and sustainability programs like albert and Sustainable Screens, and helping ensure the industry reflects the diversity of the audiences it serves.
Leading through optimism and strategy
Focused on the future, Liana explains, “My first month has been spent intently listening and reviewing our ways of working. Now, I can start to strategically design how we might need to look in the next 12 months, in the next 24 months, and beyond.”
Both New Zealand and Australia (ANZ) continue to evolve their incentive frameworks to attract international productions, and Liana sees partnerships with federal and state agencies as key to growth for the production industry.
“My role is to champion the region globally to ensure that producers and studios see ANZ as not only competitive on cost, but also exceptional in creativity, skill, and technological sophistication. We’re not just a great place to film; we’re a great place to create."
A strong advocate for competitive tax incentives, Liana brings a contagious enthusiasm to her new role. “The opportunity is enormous! We have exceptional talent, breathtaking locations, and globally respected crews," she says. "Our incentives remain strong, and we’re earning a reputation for operational excellence and creative problem-solving.”
While the global production slowdown has affected the volume of film and television projects coming out of the ANZ region, Liana sees growth ahead by making strategic changes to ensure resilience. She emphasizes the need to maintain relevance and competitiveness in a global market that’s constantly shifting, while also addressing skills shortages, especially in areas like production accounting and line producing.
Specifically, Liana believes growth will come from four key areas:
- International co-productions as studios seek cost-effective, high-quality partners.
- Local storytelling, especially as streamers and broadcasters invest in regional content.
- Technology, digitization, automation, and data-driven decision-making that improves efficiency and transparency across productions.
- New investors in content as advertisers and brands look to engage in content strategies that embed them in culture.
A bright future for ANZ, with the help of Entertainment Partners
From Liana Dubois’ perspective, technology is no longer an operational tool, it’s a creative enabler. Data will enhance decision-making, allowing producers to budget, plan, and forecast with greater accuracy. Advanced technologies will reduce manual tasks and fuel creativity, freeing accountants and producers to focus on value, not volume. But most importantly, tech will empower creativity, not replace it.
As the newest member of the EP family, Liana proudly steps into her leadership role with energy, optimism, and empathy, “We’re here to make production easier, smarter, and more sustainable. We’re your partner from greenlight to final payment, and we believe great technology, powered by great people, can transform what’s possible," she says. "And if we do our jobs right, Entertainment Partners will help the industry spend less time on admin and more time making magic.”
Whether you're planning a local production or an international co-production, Entertainment Partners can help you work smarter. Reach out to our ANZ team to discuss how we can support your project's unique needs and challenges.
