Experienced execs named to oversee animation production, talent acquisition and development, and finance.
SANTA MONICA, CALIF. -- Skydance Media announced the addition of key leadership executives to their growing animation studio: Holly Edwards as head of production, animation; Kim Mackey as head of talent acquisitions and talent development; Jessie Carbonaro as director of talent acquisitions and talent development; and Matthew Burke as director of finance.
“With this accomplished team in place Skydance is now well positioned to achieve our goal of producing a bold, original slate of both animated and family programming,” said President of Animation and Family Entertainment Bill Damaschke. “Holly, Kim, Jessie and Matt have the wealth of experience, knowledge and skills to lead our creative teams and bring together talented artists to build an animation studio that is a destination for top storytellers in the industry.”
Holly Edwards
Edwards will work closely with Damaschke and the individual producers to oversee all aspects of production for the animation projects at the studio as well as help establish the plan for growth at the studio. Edwards is a 20-year veteran of feature films and television. She joined DreamWorks Animation in 2002, where she fostered the studio’s success in both production and executive roles by managing films across three intercontinental locations.
Kim Mackey
Mackey will be responsible for recruiting and talent development strategy across all divisions of the company, and will report to President and COO Jesse Sisgold. This includes helping to attract and retain top talent for the new animation division as well as managing the process across live-action feature film, television, and interactive divisions. Mackey is a 22-year veteran of the animation industry and, most recently, was the global head of recruiting for DreamWorks Animation.
Jessie Carbonaro
Carbonaro will be developing and maintaining relationships with talent throughout the animation, interactive and live-action communities. She will be managing the candidate experience to help attract top talent to the growing company. Before joining Skydance, Carbonaro was part of DreamWorks Animation for nearly 13 years where she started her career in television as a producer and writer.
Matthew Burke
Burke is responsible for all financial activities of the division. Collaborating with senior leadership, he will be focused on building the division into an elite player in animation production. Prior to joining Skydance, Burke spent 14 years as finance lead on multiple animated features at DreamWorks Animation.
In 2017, Skydance formed an animation division to develop and produce a slate of high-end feature films and television series in partnership with Spain’s Ilion Animation Studios. Skydance’s first three animated features are Luck, which comes to theaters March 19, 2021; Split (working title); and Powerless (working title).
Source: Skydance Media
Tom McLean has been writing for years about animation from a secret base in Los Angeles.
