Goldsmith to head Thunderbird division

Vancouver-based prodco Thunderbird Entertainment has launched a new global distribution and consumer products division headed by industry veteran Richard Goldsmith.

Richard Goldsmith

Goldsmith joins Thunderbird and Atomic Cartoons, the company’s kids and family division, to lead the new venture as president of global distribution and consumer products.

In the newly created role, Goldsmith will oversee worldwide content distribution and the development of consumer products and experiences to grow audience engagement across all Thunderbird properties.

The new division is part of the company’s strategic push to acquire and develop its own IP, whilst providing service work to external partners such as Netflix, Disney and PBS/GBH.

In addition to supporting the company’s owned IP, the new division will also source and manage third-party media distribution and consumer products opportunities.

Thunderbird is headquartered in Vancouver, with additional offices in LA, Toronto and Ottawa. It also includes Great Pacific Media, which is active in factual and scripted.

Goldsmith, who left his role as part of the senior management team at France’s Cyber Group Studios earlier this month, will be based in LA and report to Thunderbird and Atomic Cartoons’ chief creative officer Matthew Berkowitz.

Goldsmith joined Cyber Group in 2017 from The Jim Henson Company, where he spent five years at its distribution arm. He has also held roles at companies including The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros Entertainment.

His arrival comes after Atomic Cartoons partnered with Cyber Group Studios on a worldwide licensing deal for The Last Kids On Earth in 2019.

“This expansion is a significant part of Thunderbird and Atomic’s IP growth strategy. Richard’s wealth of experience, exceptional business acumen and proven track record of phenomenal productions make him the perfect person to lead this venture. Alongside our creative teams, we hope to make some truly special shows together,” said Berkowitz.