Wattpad WEBTOON Studios Rebrands as WEBTOON Productions
David Madden named president of the company’s North American entertainment and IP business, with executives Maximilian Jo and Tina McIntyre also assuming new positions.
Category: Jobs & Recruiting
Thunderbird Entertainment Names Joel Bradley President of Atomic Cartoons
The industry vet will lead the company’s Kids & Family Division and continue to run day-to-day operations and strategic management.
Microsoft Shutters The Initiative, Lays off Thousands of Workers
Upcoming video games ‘Perfect Dark’ and ‘Everwild,’ as well as several unannounced titles in development, have been scrapped as part of a sweeping initiative to remove ‘layers of management.’
Creative Career Coach: Five Cover Letter Tips
Pam Thompson shares insight on how to write a cover letter that will get you that interview.
In Business, Jobs & Recruiting, People | ANIMATIONWorld | Columns: Career Coach | Geographic Region: All
Industry Vets Matt Hunnicutt, Sandra Nam to Lead Psyop Media Group
The former W+K Portland, Squarespace, and Tribeca leaders bring an innovation-forward and brand partnership approach as the global studio group enters its next phase.
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation Appoints Adam Galen as VP, Development
The exec will team with Susan Akinbola to lead the studio’s feature development slate and guide projects from inception through greenlight, while working closely with creative talent.
Wētā FX Adds Lee Berger as Business Development Senior Producer
The veteran industry exec joins the studio from DNEG LA, where he served as Executive Vice President of Business Development.
Tippett Studio Appoints Marc Morissette as Visual Effects Supervisor
The creative leader, who boasts credits on franchises such as ‘Transformers’ and ‘X-Men,’ will work closely with Vice President of Business Development Christina Wise, who joined the studio leadership team in Los Angeles earlier this year.
The Aardman Academy, Foliascope, Rhinoceros Launch Stop-Mo Training Program
Designed to advance the skills of professional stop-motion animators, the 4-week intensive course starts with 2 weeks at Foliascope Studio in France, followed by 2 weeks at Aardman in the UK.
In Business, Education and Training, Event, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Stop-Motion | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: Europe
Fortiche Diversifies Production Portfolio, Adds to Management Team
The studio behind hit series ‘Arcane’ will continue its partnership with Riot Games for the production of new content; 3 audiovisual and animation professionals, Cécile Hergaux Essame, Christine Ponzevera, and Marion Delord, are appointed to strategic positions.
Lineup Set for WIA World Summit at Annecy 2025
9th edition of the day-long symposium, running next Monday, June 9, will feature panels and conversations spotlighting key thought leaders, filmmakers, and executives discussing the theme, ‘The Future is Animated’
In Business, Community Outreach, Diversity and Inclusion, Event, Festival, Films, Guilds/Unions/Organizations, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: Europe
Disney Lays Off Hundreds Across TV, Film, Corporate Finance
In the name of ‘corporate efficiency,’ studio cuts occurred today across marketing teams for both film and TV, publicity, casting, development, and corporate finance; no teams will be eliminated completely.
Mattel Combines Film and TV Units into Mattel Studios
Mattel Films president Robbie Brenner to lead the new group, will continue to report to Chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz.
In Business, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Alex Weber Joins OddBeast
3D artist will act as studio’s primary product visualizer by cleaning up CAD models, modeling products from scratch, and processing all client artwork files to be used on 3D models.
In 3D, Business, CG, Commercials, Jobs & Recruiting, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
DNEG Adds David Conley as Executive Producer
The veteran VFX executive, who previously served at Wētā FX and managed productions such as ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ and ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,’ will help guide creative development, production oversight, and partnership management.
In Business, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Damien de Froberville Named Sony Pictures Animation President
The exec will now oversee the development of ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,’ the sports comedy ‘GOAT,’ and fantasy musical ‘Kpop: Demon Hunters’ alongside president Kristine Belson.
In Business, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
SAG-AFTRA and Nickelodeon Reach Tentative Agreement
Deal between the union and network for their 2025 SAG-AFTRA/Nickelodeon Animation Studios Basic Cable Television Animation Agreement now heads to the National Board for review.
FMX 2025 Releases Final Program Update, Teaser Shorts Series
Ahead of tomorrow’s Day 1, the conference teases ‘Mufasa’ technical innovations, new VFX talks, Dave Gouge’s studio insights panel, targeted career sessions, and a short film YouTube series diving into topics such as taking cinematic images from Unreal Engine.
In 3D, AR/VR/XR, Business, CG, Digital Media, Education and Training, Event, Films, Games, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Previs/Postvis/Visualization, Short Films, Technology, Television, Transmedia, Virtual Production, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Blogs: FMX Conference Spotlight | Special Events: FMX | Geographic Region: All, Europe
Electronic Arts Lays Off Over 300 Employees, Cancels Next ‘Titanfall’ Game
After laying off 5% of its workforce last year and 6% in 2023, the major game company is cutting staff and stopping development work on the next installment of its ‘Titanfall’ franchise; cuts include staff on Respawn ‘Apex Legends’ and ‘Star Wars Jedi’ teams.
1st World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) Summit Coming May 1-4
Representatives from more than 40 countries, along with winners from 31 separate creative industry challenges, will converge in Mumbai for the inaugural conference, the first of its kind, with meetings, exhibitions and talks on topics from across animation, VFX, gaming, comics, XR, infotainment, and film.
In 2D, 3D, AR/VR/XR, Awards, Business, CG, Education and Training, Event, Festival, Films, Games, Guilds/Unions/Organizations, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Short Films, Television, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All, Asia
Milk VFX, Lola Post Expand Leadership Team
Industry veterans Sarah Essam and Jonny Vale join as business development producer and head of marketing and communications, respectively.
In 3D, Business, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Assemblage Entertainment Expands with ‘Mikros India’ Leadership Team
Following the recent closure of Technicolor Creative Services’ Indian operations, the core set of executives have joined the Cinesite group partner studio.
Toho Group Unveils $105 Million ‘Godzilla’ Franchise Investment
Company’s new 3-year plan also includes $490 million for producing a range of projects, including films, animation, theatrical plays, and digital games as part of broader efforts to expand its global entertainment business ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2032.
Freefolk Announces Vittorio Giannini Returns, Fi Kilroe Promoted to CEO
Giannini will serve as Director of Business Development and Strategy after a stint at Omnicom; Kilroe becomes studio’s first chief executive; company currently in production with Merman, Sky and Paramount+.
Former The Mill Creative Leaders Find New Home at The Heist
Patrick Coleman joins as executive creative director, bringing team of long-time collaborators; Blake Nickle joins as Director of Production, Chicago, with Jason Esser coming on board as Thinkingbox creative director.
