VFX and animation studio hires former LAIKA and NBCUniversal senior exec to head animation operations; industry veteran brings 25+ years’ experience to new role.
Cinesite has hired former LAIKA and NBCUniversal senior executive, Bradley Wald, naming him chief operating officer for animation. He joins the animation and VFX studios’ senior leadership team, bringing over 25 years of senior-level experience to the newly created position. Wald will lead the animation business operations as the studio continues to grow its roster of animated feature films and series, while also cultivating a broad range of growth opportunities across the company’s international animation operations in Vancouver, Montreal, and London.
“As the former CFO and SVP of Operations at LAIKA, and prior to that the chief commercial officer for NBCUniversal’s international TV production business in London, Brad has far-reaching, high-level business expertise, vast international experience, sensitivity to the creative process, and wise governance that will be invaluable to our ongoing evolution,” commented Cinesite Group CEO Antony Hunt. “Brad’s appointment is testament to the maturity and volume of animation work being created within the Cinesite group.”
Wald’s career highlights include managing the release of LAIKA’s award winning feature films: Kubo & the Two Strings and Missing Link, as well as growing brand extensions and commercial opportunities through live exhibitions, consumer products and planning its move into TV adaptation, while developing the studio’s social media presence.
He also managed NBCU’s brand and commercial activities surrounding Downton Abbey via distribution, home entertainment as well as other ancillary revenue streams including a LIMA Award-winning consumer products portfolio, and other apps and games. Wald previously served at Comcast International Media Group as SVP and managing director, Europe, Middle East & Africa, where he led a team which developed and distributed E! and other Comcast television brands throughout the region, running all aspects of sales, business development, marketing, and finance.
“I am honored and excited to join Cinesite at such an electrifying time in the animation business as we continue collaborating with incredible filmmakers on commercial films and series with global appeal,” noted Wald. “There is a lot of momentum around Cinesite and I’m taking on this new role knowing how well-positioned the studio is for continued success.”
Cinesite’s current animation production slate includes Nigerian series Iwájú for Disney Animation and Kugali. The studio is also developing several other unannounced projects with its Aniventure partners. These follow on the success of Netflix’s Riverdance: The Animated Adventure and The Addams Family 2 for MGM. Audiences will next see Cinesite’s animation efforts in Blazing Samurai, a comedy film directed by Rob Minkoff and Mark Koetsier loosely inspired by Mel Brooks 1974 film Blazing Saddles.
Source: Cinesite
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
