ZAG hires its first EVP of Zagtoon series department 

ZAG has hired Ian Lambur (pictured) to serve as EVP of the Zagtoon series department, overseeing all aspects of production, sales and broadcast relations. In this newly created LA-based role, he’s also tasked with developing master toy deals, and will work with ZAG leadership to create long-term growth for the company’s franchises, including Ghostforce and several new projects that are in development. Lambur was previously an EVP of content strategy and co-productions at Cloudco. 

Is Aircraft Pictures about to reach new heights? 

The Toronto-based prodco has brought in producer Jake Yanowski as its new president, with original co-presidents Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen shifting into a chairman role and leaving the company, respectively. Yanowski has more experience in documentaries and thrillers for adults, but he is a co-producer on Aircraft’s upcoming live-action feature Youngblood, which will reposition the same-name ’80s hockey movie for tweens/teens when it premieres in North America on March 6. Yanowski is taking over a studio that has made a number of successful kids & family series, including Gangnam Project (which has sold all over the world) and Geek Girl for Netflix. 

Ex-Sky Studios director joins Blue Ant’s distribution team 

Barnaby Shingleton has left his director of factual role at Sky Studios to become Blue Ant Studios’ SVP of acquisitions. Starting January 6 and working in London, Shingleton will replace Lila Hurst, who is leaving the company at the end of this year. Blue Ant has also promoted Valentina Daley from senior director of acquisitions and marketing to VP of acquisitions and production executive. 

The kids industry gets a new Game Plan 

Three talent managers (Bradford Bricken, Evan Corday and Matthew Ellis) have left their partner roles at Evoke Entertainment to set up a new LA-based management and production company called Game Plan Media, and they’re representing several familiar names. Their initial clients include kids & family industry veterans such as Tim McKeon (Odd Squad), Qui Nguyen (Raya and the Last Dragon), Shea Fontana (Monster High), Emily Brundige (Goldie), Monica Davila (Princess Power), Elise Allen (Rainbow Rangers) and Corey Powell (Do, Re & Mi).  

Wizards of the Coast has hired a new video game boss 

Blizzard Entertainment (Overwatch) and Riot Games (League of Legends) alum Paul Della Bitta will now head up the video game business at Hasbro’s Wizards of the Coast. He replaces James Ohlen, who is shifting into a creative consultant relationship with the company that focuses more on tabletop RPGs. Hasbro has reportedly invested more than US$1 billion in video game development on the heels of its success wtih licensed title Monopoly Go (Scopely) and megahit Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios).