Netflix Streamlines Film Animation Exec Structure In Wake Of Animal Logic Acquisition; Karen Toliver To Lead Film Team As Melissa Cobb Becomes Producer
deadline.comEXCLUSIVE: After announcing its acquisition of the Australian animation studio Animal Logic during yesterday’s earnings call, Deadline has learned that Netflix is making internal moves that will streamline its coterie of executives who’ll steer the Film Animation division.Karen Toliver, VP Animation Film, is being promoted to lead the Animation Film team.
With that change, Melissa Cobb will move from her role as VP Animation Film but will stay on with Netflix as a producer. Cobb joined the company four years ago and to led the animation team and since then has built the studio from the ground up, attracting filmmakers and delivering a diverse slate of ani films so far.Also transitioning is Gregg Taylor, the VP Animation Film who’ll also become a producer.
He too has been there four years, helping to build the creative team and oversee and shepherd the film slates, most recently The Sea Beast.Bruce Daitch, who has been VP Animation Production Operations will exit the studio, but first will work on helping the team transition and the integration of Animal Logic that is expected to keep him busy the next few months.Series animation remains unchanged, with John Derderian remaining as VP Animation Series team.Traci Balthazor (VP Animation Film Production) and Mike Karafilis (Director Animation Series Production) will lead their respective teams.The moves are designed to expand the Netflix global animation footprint with Animal Logic a catalyst for that effort.
Among the films that Netflix has generated so far are include Oscar nominated Robin, Robin, Klaus and Over the Moon, Kris Pearn’s The Willoughbys, the Clare Knight and Harry Cripps-directed Back to the Outback, the Richard Linklater-directed Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age
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