LONDON: ITEL’s Oliver Ellis has been rewarded for his role in building up the company’s animation portfolio by being promoted to head of children’s and entertainment. In his new role, he will coordinate financing and co-production for both genres.

Ellis’ impact was evident in the delivery of ITEL’s largest-ever slate of kids shows last year. All told, he pushed through 13 series and one special. Recently, he has forged relationships with a wide range of European production studios including the U.K.’s Cosgrove Hall, France’s Contre Allée and Germany’s Trickompany.

According to Ellis, the immediate priority for ITEL is to consolidate last year’s achievements. ‘Last year was a bumper crop,’ he says. ‘Now, we want to see through second series of properties like Animal Shelf, Noah’s Island and Rocky and The Dodos. We also have the delivery of Telemagination’s Wiggly Park this year.

Kids animation will continue to be Ellis’ priority, but he plans to broaden the range of the company’s activities. ‘The emphasis is obviously on developing projects that are internationally saleable. But we will be looking more closely a children’s drama.