Boston public media producer GBH today announced the appointment of Julius Harper as Executive Producer in GBH Kids (Arthur, Molly of Denali). Harper, an Emmy-nominated executive producer, writer and transmedia executive, will lead a multiplatform project under development based on the children’s book Acoustic Rooster and his Barnyard Band, written by Newbery Medal Winner Kwame Alexander.
Harper brings more than 15 years of experience in the entertainment and gaming industries to the role. Specializing in creating content for linear and interactive platforms, he is a Disney veteran and former Netflix executive who built the streamer’s kids interactive TV strategy, shepherding projects such as Captain Underpants’ Epic Choice-o-Rama. Harper also brings years of experience working with Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, YouTube and Meta. He’s built content for Marvel, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Phineas and Ferb, DuckTales, and more.
“Julius Harper brings a deep breadth of talent in developing content for kids, both for TV and for streaming, critically important in today’s multiplatform environment,” said Terry Fitzpatrick, Vice President of Children’s Media and Education at GBH. “We are thrilled to have him join the team.”
London-based animation & VFX studio Jellyfish Pictures has named Will Newis as its new Animation Global Head of Production. Previously serving as Executive Producer in the Animation division, Newis has over eight years’s experience working at MPC, with credits prior to joining Jellyfish Pictures including 1917, Nope, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, The Lion King and Prehistoric Planet.
“I’m incredibly excited to take on this new role at Jellyfish Pictures, working with the truly world-class talent we have in London, Mumbai and around the globe,” said Newis. “The team continue to produce outstanding work across a diverse range of high-profile projects, and I look forward to building and developing our production processes to deliver the best creative output possible.”
In his new role, Newis will lead the Jellyfish Pictures production teams worldwide, and provide support across their wide slate of productions. He will work closely alongside Creative Director of Animation, Archie Donato, to ensure that the teams continue to generate and deliver the high-quality work and artistic excellence that Jellyfish Pictures is known for. The studio is currently in production on an animated series for Netflix EMEA/Lime entitled Wereworld, based on a popular book series by Curtis Jobling, an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Twits for Netflix and a new feature animation for a Hollywood studio.
Multi award-winning Bristol animation studio A Productions is bringing in Katie Barba, an experienced development executive, to help grow its slate of iconic kids and family entertainment by developing its own IP-driven content. Barba joins from Disney, where she has worked for the past five years in production and development across a number of popular kids’ animated series such as 101 Dalmatian Street, Chip N Dale: Park Life S1 & 2 and Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire.
A Productions has grown rapidly in the past five years, providing animation for an impressive roster of broadcasters and SVODs including CBeebies, CITV, Channel 4, MAX and Sky, working on titles such as JoJo & Gran Gran, Pip & Posy’s Let’s Learn (Magic Light Pictures) and Sesame Street: The Nutcracker (Sesame Workshop). Since receiving investment from Cyber Group Studios, the studio is planning to develop its own original creator-driven content.
“I am delighted to be joining A Productions where I can continue to develop my passion for discovering new animation talent and producing original content,” says Barba, who will be pursuing her new duties in close collaboration with studio founder & joint MD, Mark Taylor. “A Productions has a great reputation for making creative, authentic shows that truly speak to their audience and I can’t wait to get started.”
Paris based distributor Mediatoon announced the appointment of Fréderic Gentet as Head of Sales with immediate effect; a newly created role for the global distributor that is part of French entertainment powerhouse Média-Participations.
Mediatoon has one of the largest animation catalogs in Europe, with more than 10,000 half hours across both established IPs and originals. The company’s content amasses in excess of 1 billion YouTube views per year. Gentet will oversee sales, marketing and servicing departments, responsible for finding homes for the distributor’s popular series such as SamSam: Cosmic Adventures, Garfield and Tintin. He will be based in Paris and report to MD Caroline Duvochel.
Gentet was most recently the Head of Sales for Princess Sam Pictures, overseeing the global launch of the Tara Duncan series to worldwide success. Prior to that, he managed the sales of films and animated series within the production and distribution company Millimages. Contributing to the commercial expansion of properties such as Molang, Mouk and Pirata & Capitano. He also held roles at music label Naïve Records, and film companies Reel Suspects and Wide.
WildBrain Ltd. announced senior leadership changes and a new, streamlined business structure under a focused strategy designed to optimize its existing 360° IP management expertise and drive the growth of key WildBrain and partner franchises across its core capabilities of Content Creation, Audience Engagement and Global Licensing.
Nick Gawne has joined as Chief Financial Officer, bringing over 20 years’ experience in finance, operations and business development in the media space with a focus on kids’ and family IP, including almost 15 years with eOne prior to the Hasbro acquisition (Peppa Pig, PJ Masks). Based in Toronto, Gawne reports to WildBrain President & CEO, Josh Scherba. He succeeds Aaron Ames, who will continue in an advisory capacity to ensure a seamless transition.
Stephanie Betts has been appointed Executive Vice President, Content Creation, reporting to Scherba, and will oversee creative teams behind WildBrain’s content in an expanded role that builds on her longstanding leadership of the Company’s development and production business. WildBrain’s digital studio in London will now report to Betts while working closely with the Company’s creative teams to maximize opportunities for its owned and partner IP.
Kate Smith has been appointed Executive Vice President, Audience Engagement, and will oversee all aspects of WildBrain’s content distribution, its YouTube network operations and its digital marketing, reporting to Scherba, based in London.
Maarten Weck has been appointed EVP, Global Partnerships and Licensing, and will spearhead oversight of key global IP partnerships with third-party partners across the entire WildBrain ecosystem, and he will also continue to oversee all activities of WildBrain CPLG.
Additional updates to the WildBrain CPLG roster were announced later: In London, Clare Vosper Mortimer has joined in the new role of VP, Finance and Operations, overseeing the company’s finance function and enhancing its global in-house service offering for partners as it continues to see significant growth.
In Munich, Angela Reuber-Gundolf has been appointed Commercial Director, Germany, where her focus will be on leveraging WildBrain CPLG’s expansive global reach and infrastructure to drive growth and strategic alignment for existing licensors across Germany, Austria and Switzerland (GSA), including Peanuts, PLAYMOBIL©, SEGA and MGM, as well as looking to strengthen WildBrain CPLG’s portfolio of entertainment, lifestyle and sports properties.
More Moves, Hires & Promotions:
- L.A.-based licensing consultancy Brand Central LLC announced several staff promotions: Lexi De Forest, a seven-year veteran of the agency, has been promoted from Senior Licensing Director to Vice President, Business Development. Bri Kessler, who was named “most influential newcomer” by License! Global, was promoted from Senior Licensing Manager to Licensing Director. And Hebe Moore was also elevated from Licensing Coordinator to Associate Licensing Manager and
will move into a licensee management role. - The Voiceover Gallery, the only U.K. company specializing in VO and dubbing as well as other sound services, announced the expansion of its London and Manchester HQs with four new appointments: Rak Bhattacharjee joins the London team as Head of Business Development. Alice Murphy and Pip O’Marra have been appointed to the Manchester and London teams to offer additional support to existing clients and postproduction. And engineer Max Russell joins the studio department.
- Global architecture, design and planning firm HLW has named Jeremiah Hancock Associate Principal and Studio Director of the firm’s Stamford, Connecticut office, as Sector Lead for Media & Entertainment.
- Alicia Cargile has been named Executive Producer at VFX and postproduction house Jogger Studios.
- Editorial & VFX company Nomad has elevated editor Dan Maloney to Partner. The studio also announced that Ally Condeck has joined its editorial roster.
- Comics publisher Silverline brings industry veteran James Pruett — co-creator of Eisner nominee Negative Burn — on board as its new Chief Creative Officer, with his first move placing the pubco in the December Diamond catalog for a release of February 14, 2024.
- VFX & color house JAMM welcomes Beau Leon and Jess Jinx to its colorist team.
