Multi-BAFTA-winning, B Corp-certified London animation studio Blue Zoo (blue-zoo.co.uk) announced the appointment of Nicky Flemming as Executive Producer for the Shortform and Advertising department. Flemming will work alongside the Head of the Shortform, Damian Hook, to develop the client-relationship strategy towards brands and agencies (such as Meta, LEGO, Supercell, Playmobil and more) and share Blue Zoo’s in-house talent with the world.
Flemming has worked in the U.K. advertising industry for 20 years in roles from New Business to MD in some of London’s top production companies, including Another Film Company, Outsider, Merman and Archer’s Mark. She brings additional background in production to her new post, having worked in features as production coordinator and in short films as a producer. Flemming has also judged the New York Advertising Awards, the AICP Awards and the shots awards in London.
“I am thrilled to bring my experience to the team at Blue Zoo. I am hugely fortunate to count many of the top industry leaders as my close friends, who I am excited to introduce to my new team,” commented Flemming. “I see my job as connecting and introducing talent to one another, which I look forward to doing in 2023.”
Family-focused marketing agency Kids Industries (kidsindustries.com) today announced two new hires for the BAFTA Award-winning business, including the appointment of BBC Children’s Amy Macaulay as Creative Producer.
A highly experienced digital content producer, Macauley has worked at BBC Children’s for 10 years. She has managed the digital marketing and launch strategies for both CBeebies and CBBC products, working on web game and app launches, audience acquisition, community management, performance analysis and content creation — including BAFTA-nominated digital content.
At KI, Macauley will lead the line on bringing campaigns, activations, digital projects, content, live shows and more to life. She’ll work closely with KI’s Creative Director, in-house team and supporting production studios.
Marina Maurer, Junior Designer also joins the business. With an MA in Digital Media Design from the University of London and experience in digital marketing and design at toucanBox, Loop and Forge, Maurer has a young but impressive portfolio to draw upon. Her work at KI will involve designing exciting and innovative artwork and products — websites, apps, branding and games for clients — and collaborating with the research, strategy and production team to deliver award-winning campaigns.
“I’m hugely excited to welcome both Amy and Marina to our work family! It’s actually not too common to find someone with the depth and breadth of Amy’s pedigree in the children’s space — couple that with her fresh ideas, can do ways and the way she delivers on time and on budget and I’d say she has a very bright future at KI,” said Gary Pope, CEO & Co-Founder. “Joining the design team at KI is a bit special and Marina is already proving herself to be a truly brilliant member of the team. I am so happy to have her with us.”
Both Macauley and Maurer will be at The Global Family Conference that KI are hosting at Conway Hall in London on the March 21. Space is limited, register here.
Aniventure (aniventure.com), the animated content producer behind Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, Riverdance: The Animated Adventure and upcoming Hitpig! and Animal Farm adaptations, has appointed Joe Della Rosa as its Chief Commercial Officer. The L.A.-based exec will be responsible for overseeing the functions of sales and the implementation of its long and short-term commercial strategy, including identifying creative and business opportunities for Aniventure and its partners.
Della Rosa joins Aniventure from leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where he worked for more than a decade and was recognized as a specialist in animation within the Media Finance Group. Della Rosa represented animation studios and content from around the world, including multiple Academy Award nominated Cartoon Saloon (Wolfwalkers), Richard Linklater’s Apollo 10 1/2 and Jeremy Zag’s upcoming feature Ladybug & Cat Noir, based on Zag’s Miraculous Ladybug franchise.
“This is an extremely exciting time to be joining Aniventure given the company’s established market position in the animation industry,” Della Rosa commented. “Aniventure has an unprecedented opportunity to build on their solid foundation and to help the best filmmakers find new and innovative ways to tell their stories in a media landscape that is changing everyday. I look forward to being part of the Aniventure team creating a great home for the best creative talent and building new characters and stories that families can enjoy around the world.”
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