Gaumont grows kids’ arm with Disney hire

French prodco Gaumont has appointed a former Disney executive and made a promotion as it expands its animation and family arm.

Kimberly Dennison

Kimberly Dennison has joined in the newly created position of VP of creative development of animation and family at the company’s US office, working alongside Gaelle Guiny, VP of creative development, France.

Dennison will work on series and movies for a range of audiences. She previously served as director of development for Walt Disney TV Animation, creating original and Disney-branded properties.

Additionally, she has held network executive positions, developing, producing and voice-directing a variety of animated projects for studios and networks such as Walt Disney, Hub Network and Rainmaker Entertainment.

Terry Kalagian

Dennison will report to Terry Kalagian, who has been promoted from VP of creative for animation to senior VP of creative development for animation and family.

Kalagian joined the firm at the same time as Nicolas Atlan, president of animation and family.

Since their arrival, Atlan, Kalagian and Guiny, who joined the company at the end of 2016, have been key to securing numerous development projects including the recent deal to turn musician and environmentalist Julian Lennon’s children’s books Touch the Earth and Heal the Earth into an animated TV series.