Netflix Shuffles Film Animation Executive Team After Animal Logic Acquisition
21.07.2022 - 00:49
/ thewrap.com
acquisition of Australian-based animation studio Animal Logic to help support Netflix’s original film slate. Netflix has promoted Karen Toliver, currently VP of Animated Film, to lead the new film animation team on the content side and reporting to Global Film head Scott Stuber.
Melissa Cobb, who previously led the team and has been with Netflix for the last four years, will now shift to becoming a creative producing partner with Netflix. Gregg Taylor, also a VP of Animated Film who has been with Netflix for the last four years, will also shift to just become a producer.
The move removes a layer from the executive team and aims to streamline the team. Meanwhile, Bruce Daitch, VP of Animation Production Operations, will exit Netflix.
He will remain on the transition team and help with the integration of Animal Logic for the next couple of months. Traci Balthazor, who is currently VP of Animation Film Production, and Mike Karafilis, director of Animation Series Production, will lead their respective teams, reporting to Amy Reinhard, VP of Studio Operations, and both Toliver and Balthazor will be partners.
The series animation teams will remain unchanged, with John Derderian remaining as VP of Animation Series.“Over four years ago, Melissa joined the company to lead our animation team and since then has built the studio from the ground up. She’s attracted top filmmakers and delivered a diverse slate of award winning animated films,” Stuber said in a statement to TheWrap. “Gregg was vital to building our creative team and he helped oversee and shepherd our incredible film slate to date, including, most recently, ‘The Sea Beast.’ We are excited to have them both continue to be part of the Netflix family as creative producing
.