Ex-Aito Media exec Erna Aalto joins Ilkkas’ Creative Studio as partner

Finnish producer Erna Aalto has been appointed partner and operations director at Ilkkas’ Creative Studio (ICS), the Tampere-based creative hub launched last September by Finnish media executives Ikka Hynninen and Ilkka Rahkonen.

Aalto will start her new role on June 1, with CEO Rahkonen and creative director Hynninen saying she will bring experience, vision and creativity to the role.

Aalto spent 15 years at Aito Media, where Hynninen and Rahkonen worked before launching their new outfit, developing both crime shows and formats.

Her recent credits include drama Koskinen for Finnish commercial station Nelonen and YLE’s Paljaana, based on Sony Pictures Television’s dating format Pretty & Single.

“Erna can do it all, from attracting the best on- and off-screen talent to delivering projects that are truly captivating,” said Rahkonen. “We can’t think of a better person to help lead ICS into its next phase of development.”

In its first six months of operation, ICS has developed 10×30’ noir comedy spoof NoPoFo, a coproduction with BBC Studios Nordics, and last month, it announced a strategic alliance with WSOY, Finland’s largest publishing group, which aims to transform how Finnish scripted content is developed for the international market.

“I can’t wait to get started,” said Aalto. “ICS’s upcoming projects are inspiring not only in their creativity but also in their scale and international ambition.”