Studio 100 appoints int’l content CEO

Europe’s Studio 100 Group has appointed a CEO of content at its international arm, based in Australia.

Barbara Stephen

Barbara Stephen, who is CEO of Studio 100-owned Flying Bark Productions in Sydney, will oversee development, investment and animation production across the company’s creative businesses.

These include Studio 100 Animation in Paris, Studio Isar Animation in Munich and Little Airplane Productions in New York, while she will also continue as Flying Bark CEO.

The firm has reported turnover of €179.7m (US$202.3m) for 2018, which it put down to the strength of its theme parks and latest live musical production ‘40-’45, which debuted last October in Belgium.

Studio 100 now plans to expand its international business and “creative capabilities” further on the back of the successful year, beginning with Stephen’s appointment.

Hans Bourlon, CEO of Studio 100 Group, said: “We are extremely happy with the results of our group, feeling confirmed in the way we are developing as a corporate group within the entertainment business.

“To continue this path, we constantly must adapt to the changing market situations. We absolutely trust in Barbara to lead our content and production teams across the globe.”

Studio 100 said it would continue to invest significantly in original independent animated movies, series and brand activities, as well as the diversification of its technical and animation services.

The company has expanded Flying Bark’s in-house animation capabilities, which has included the appointment of Alexia Gates-Foale as head of animation production.

Studio 100 has been developing a virtual reality service to “re-invent CGI animation pipelines” using real-time technologies that it said would reduce the overall cost per minute of animation at its Paris studio.

Studio 100 Animation will be launching a professional demonstration of the service at Annecy International Film Festival Market next week.