- Emmy-nominated producer Sidney Clifton (pictured) has joined Mattel in a new head of animation role that she started in yesterday. Clifton previously worked for three and a half years at The Jim Henson Company as a producer and SVP of animation and mixed media. And before that, she collaborated with Henson on Apple TV+ toon Harriet the Spy and animated series Lena!, based on author Karen Katz’s picture book The Colors of Us. Clifton’s animation producer credits include Black Panther, Stan Lee Presents and Me, Eloise, and she was nominated for an Emmy as a producer on Cartoon Network’s Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms. She has also held positions in the past at Deluxe Animation Studios, Bento Box Entertainment and Film Roman.
- On the heels of announcing a US$1.5-billion investment with Epic Games to build a virtual world featuring the Mouse House’s characters and brands, Disney Games has hired industry veteran Ray Gresko (SVP, production & development) to run the project with Epic. Gresko has worked in the gaming industry for more than three decades and is a former Blizzard Entertainment chief development officer. He’ll report to Sean Shoptaw, who moves up from SVP of games and interactive experiences to EVP of global games.
In addition, Jay Ong has been brought over from running the Marvel Games team to head up Disney’s games licensing business worldwide. Ong has more than 25 years of experience in the gaming industry, with stints at Blizzard, EA Sports and Xbox on his impressive resumé.
- WattPad Webtoon Studio has promoted Brennan Loftus from animation development executive to director, animation development & production, with a remit that’s about supporting creator relationships, developing content and finding new writing talent. Reporting to head of global animation Sydney Bright, Loftus is currently working with The Jim Henson Company on an adaptation of Lore of Olympus, a modern retelling of the ancient Greek Persephone myth, as written by Webtoon author Rachel Smythe.
WWS has also promoted Jason Goldberg from director of film for North America to head of global film; Alessandra Ferrari from director to VP of content; and former Genius Brands international distribution VP Jess Brinder to director and head of entertainment business development.
- Magic Light Pictures is strengthening its licensing team with a pair of promotions. Aidan Taylor-Gooby has been upped from head of licensing to licensing director on the heels of executing a consumer products program for preschool series Pip and Posy involving Bandai (plush and figurines) and nine other licensees. And product development manager Bridie Gibbs is now a senior production development manager after six years with the company.
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