Robinson resignation prompts Imira rejig

Paul Robinson has resigned as CEO of Imira Entertainment and his responsibilities at the production and distribution firm have been taken over by a Spanish animation veteran.

Carlos Biern

Carlos Biern has been named as president of animation productions and coproductions at Imira’s parent company, India-based Toonz Media Group (TMG).

Robinson, meanwhile, has taken on a strategic role within TMG and will provide advice to the group whilst continuing to head Canal Clan International, Imira’s joint venture with RTVE.

Robinson, who joined Imira in December 2017, will also oversee Malish TV Russia and other platform initiatives worldwide, as well as strategic alliances for the group. He will continue to report to P Jayakumar, the group CEO.

Robinson has more than 30 years’ experience in the broadcasting business. He was senior VP of Walt Disney Television International and also founded and was CEO of the now-defunct NBCUniversal-owned network KidsCo.

As part of the restructure, Imira’s operational matters and responsibilities will be taken over by Biern, the former CEO of BRB Internacional, and his executive team.

P Jayakumarar

Biern is president of the Spanish Federation of Animation & Visual Effects Producers and will now work alongside Jayakumar and Robinson in his new role.

“We thank Paul for his service over these past 18 months and are delighted to continue to benefit from his expertise and extensive experience as we expand across all our entertainment divisions and welcome Carlos who brings with him valuable knowledge and years of experience in the international as well as the Spanish arena,” said Jayakumar.

Robinson added that during his time at Imira he had contributed to helping make it “a little more global and worldwide in its reach and aspirations. The global market is changing rapidly, and there is an imperative for us to continue to develop new routes to market and strategically serve our customers better whilst developing new business opportunities.”

TMG recently acquired a majority stake in Irish full-service production house Telegael. TMG was founded in 1999 and also has a presence in New Zealand and Turkey. It also includes digital arm Toonz Media Network and Toonz Gaming.