Animation outfit Hari promotes Sophie Prigent and hires Cake’s Toby Jones to head sales

Sophie ‘Kido’ Prigent and Toby Jones

Paris-based animation studio and IP company Hari has promoted Sophie ‘Kido’ Prigent to director of strategic partnerships and financing, and hired Cake’s Toby Jones as head of sales.

Prigent has been with Hari for three years, previously as head of distribution. In her new role, she will oversee all revenue-generating activities, including TV and digital distribution, licensing and merchandising, the financing of new formats and content extensions that support brand and franchise growth.

Jones has over six years’ experience in sales and distribution within the global kids entertainment sector. He was previously a sales exec and sales manager at London-based Jetpack Distribution, which he joined in 2020, and then became a senior sales manager at Cake last year when the firm acquired Jetpack.

Jones will remain in London and will report to Prigent, who is based in Paris and also previously worked at Jetpack. Jones will be responsible for running global sales across Hari’s portfolio of shows including Grizzy & the Lemmings, Mystery Lane, The Weasy Family and Baby Lemmings.

Josselin Charier, co-founder and co-CEO of Hari, said: “We’re entering a new chapter for Hari – one driven by bold ambition, international growth and 360-degree franchise building. We’re creating original IPs with the power to travel, across platforms, territories and into pop culture.

“Kido has played a key role in delivering this vision and this new role reflects both the scale of our ambitions and the trust we place in her leadership. With Toby joining, we’re reinforcing the foundations for Hari’s next phase of global growth. His strong track record, deep industry relationships and hands-on distribution experience make him a powerful addition as we accelerate our global expansion.”