• by Ray Schultz , September 4, 2024

Ankler Media, publisher of The Ankler newsletter, has made two key hires: Hanna Hensler as director of marketing & events and Abigail Barr as leader of audience development and social media strategy. 

Hensler will lead all marketing and events initiatives including FYC and festival partnerships, reporting to London Sanders, head of sales. Previously, Hensler was event & features marketing manager at Variety.  

Barr previously was a freelance writer for Mashable, Business Insider and InStyle. She also managed social media for streaming services, live events venues, and podcasts. 

“We are thrilled to add Hanna and Abigail to the Ankler Media team as we accelerate our plans to produce and deliver more high-profile events that inform and connect the entertainment and media community,” says Janice Min, CEO and editor in chief of The Ankler. “We’ve experienced rapid growth this year, with our events fulfilling a deep hunger for connection in the entertainment community." 

Barr will report to Min and David Lidsky, executive editor.    

The news comes as Ankler Media has added the Toronto International Film Festival to its live events coverage. Ankler's awards editor Katey Rich will interview actor Hugh Grant for a live edition of the Prestige Junkie podcast.  

In another move, The Ankler x Pure Nonfiction’s Documentary Spotlight series will also host a pop-up event featuring Thom Powers in conversation with Raoul Peck.