Director Krista Liney has joined L.A.-based Canyon Road Films for commercial/promo representation in the U.S. Liney, who was previously handled in the ad arena by LAIR, is the inaugural signing for Canyon Road, a production company launched in 2017 by exec producer Lara Wickes.
Formerly the SVP of brand creative at A&E Networks for HISTORY, Liney served as EP on that channel’s Roots: A New Vision, which won an NAACP Image Award for Best Documentary. She has earned multiple Emmy nominations, along with several PromaxBDA Awards, a Clio and a Telly.
Notably, Liney directed “Without Bias,” a project for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in partnership with Lifetime, showcasing her ability to blend beautiful imagery with a resonant strong message, as the piece highlighted diversity and quashed the notion that there is one archetype of someone with breast cancer. The project was extremely personal for Liney, becoming a part of her own healing process as she is a cancer survivor herself.
EP Wickes first encountered Liney’s talent while working with her in a client capacity. During this time, Wickes was also dealing with the cancer diagnosis of her mother. Together Wickes and Liney navigated the journey of loss of life and survival, forging a deep friendship in the process. “As women, we’ve been in the trenches together,” explained Wickes. “There is so much about Krista’s transformation as a human being that I adore and respect, including the decision to leave the network to pursue her true passion–directing.”
Wickes added, “I run my business and my life the same way–listening to my heart first, then letting my head weigh in. It is so telling that my first-ever signing of a director is Krista Liney. Who she is as a person speaks so true to who I am as a business owner.”
Liney said of Wickes, “She’s a remarkable producer and person, and she has created an amazing team full of heart.”
The partnership is off to an auspicious start with the well-received promo Liney helmed for ABC’s The Bachelor, which aired during the 2020 Academy Awards. Featuring bachelor Peter Weber, the teaser reimagines the iconic pottery scene from Ghost with several extra helping hands, and features a cameo from Whoopi Goldberg herself.
Liney continues to write and pitch concepts through her creative direction entity, Maiden, for which Canyon Road will serve as a partner to execute production services.
