Ex-Gaumont exec rises to Mercury

Canadian animation studio Mercury Filmworks has appointed a former Gaumont creative executive as its chief content officer.

Heath Kenny

Heath Kenny will be based in Paris and will work with the Mercury Filmworks’ team to identify and develop original properties as well as secure financing and greenlight productions.

Kenny was most recently working as a creative executive and independent producer through his company You and Eye Creative, and before that had been VP of creative and executive producer at Gaumont Animation.

Clint Eland, Mercury Filmworks’ CEO, described Kenny as “the perfect creative executive to lead our strategic expansion into the originals space,” with a slate of development projects to be revealed later this year.

“He’s a talented artist and director, has a keen understanding of studio and talent dynamics, and has impressed us with his ability to quickly align people and drive to the heart of characters and stories,” Eland added.

Kenny added he would “spearhead the company’s push into originals, which is the logical next step in expanding its operations and will serve as the ideal complement to its growing production service business.”

Mercury Filmworks has been behind shows including Tangled, Mickey Mouse Shorts, Lion Guard and Toot & Puddle.