Ana Barreto: Media Maven Blending Creativity with Business Acumen

Some professional paths begin with a premedi­ated plan, while others, with a touch of destiny. Colombian media leader, Ana Barreto would agree. Her enduring journey in the media and entertainment business began with a finance intern­ship in Bogotá that soon developed into an enduring passion.

A graduate in business administration, Ana was drawn towards production, content creation, post-production, international distribution, mergers and acquisitions and business development.

Throughout her 25-year long professional journey, Ana has united regional Colombian businesses with international superpowers such as Sony, Disney, Fox and Paramount, bringing a unique blend of business and creativity to the sector.

Currently, as CEO of CMO, she heads a business with 26+ years of history, established by visionary Clara María Ochoa. Under Ana’s leadership, shows such as La Venganza de Analia Season 2 and Netflix's La Huésped have been taken to the world, mixing careful production with interesting storytelling.

Ana's leadership is characterized by curiosity and empathy. She sees growth as professional and human, and business as never a solo mission. Nationally acclaimed for her work on employment in Colombia's audiovisual industry, she keeps pushing talent and stories to new heights.

Always stay hungry. No matter your achievements, remain humble and celebrate milestones, then set new goals and start again

How did your professional journey transition from finance to media?

I studied business administration in Colombia, with the intention of pursuing finance, but an internship in a Colombian production company’s finance de­partment sparked my passion for media.

Starting in finance and administration, I gradually rotated across departments, gaining hands-on experience in content creation, production, post-production, in­ternational distribution, team leadership, and merg­ers and acquisitions.

I contributed to the sale of a major company to a global corporation, learning to navigate complex business transitions while man­aging client, supplier, and partner relationships.

Over time, I realized that success in media goes beyond storytelling—it requires packaging content effectively, securing strategic partnerships, ensuring international reach, and creating opportunities for future projects.

I’ve since worked with Colombian companies that became part of global media giants like Sony, Disney, Fox, and Paramount, giving me both domestic and international perspectives. After nearly 25 years, I continue to innovate in this evolving industry.

Introduce us to CMO and the key responsibilities you shoulder as the CEO.

CMO is an incredible company where I’ve worked for the past two years. Founded by Clara María Ochoa over 26 years ago, she ensures every project reflects CMO’s signature quality. Recently, La Venganza de Analía Season 2 became Colombia’s top prime-time show and debuted globally on Netflix on September 8 as well as La Huésped, a 20-episode series.

CMO also provides production services for inter­national producers in Colombia and Latin America, leveraging tax incentives for high-quality projects.

As CEO, I guide the team, oversee projects, produce original stories, and promote Colombia as a leading audiovisual hub. For me, learning and curiosity are essential. Understanding new technologies and adapting quickly allows us to explore new possibilities, leverage experience, and deliver content audiences actively seek. At CMO, we embrace change to achieve the best results.

Which recent CMO projects have created massive impact for the company?

I’d like to highlight two key projects. First is La Venganza de Analia Season 2, produced for Caracol. This 67-episode series was filmed entirely on location across 200+ sites with over 2,000 extras, a massive production. It recently premiered in Colombia, and debuted worldwide on Netflix, joining Season 1, that had been a success previously in the platform.

The second project is La Huésped (The Guest), a 20-episode thriller produced for Netflix last year and shot in Bogotá and nearby areas. Featuring exceptional on- and off-camera talent. Its release in September (2025) is highly anticipated, and we’re excited to see audience reactions.

What key lessons have guided your professional growth and approach to business?

There are several lessons I’d highlight. First, always stay hungry. No matter your achievements, remain humble, celebrate milestones, then set new goals and start again. Curiosity, open-mindedness, and flexibility are essential for continuous growth, which means improving professionally, enjoying your work, and embracing change as constant. Approach each day aiming to be better than yesterday, growing both as a professional and as a human being.

Compassion is equally crucial; business should never come at the cost of empathy. Strong relationships with clients, employees, and collaborators form a support system that proves invaluable, especially during challenges. Business is never a solo journey; the strength of connections often determines success.

What has been the most meaningful milestone in your career?

Three years ago, I was invited to the Presidency of Colombia to accept an award for foreign direct in­vestment. It was given to the company I worked with at the time for generating the highest employment in the country within the audiovisual production in­dustry. This recognition was especially meaningful because it reflected not just the efforts of one compa­ny, but of the entire industry.

Now at CMO, we carry the same commitment; promoting the people who are part of our productions, creating employment opportunities, and ensuring that everyone involved has a positive experience, gains new knowledge, and grows professionally & personally.

Ana Barreto, CEO, CMO

Ana Barreto, the CEO of CMO brings to the table 25+ years of cross-functional experience in media and entertainment across production, content creation, post-production, international distribution and M&A.