Gaumont Vice-CEO Christophe Riandee has announced that the company is expanding its animation activities in the U.S., growing its animated feature division and increasing activity for its established animate series business. To spearhead these efforts, Gaumont has tapped industry veteran Nicolas Atlan for the newly created position of President of Animation, and Terry Kalagian as Vice President, Creative for Animation.
Both execs will be based in Los Angeles and report directly to Riandee and CEO Sidonie Dumas. Atlan will split his time between the L.A. and Paris offices and work closely with president of sales Cecile Gaget for movies, president of Gaumont Television US Gene Stein, and president of international distribution for Gaumont Television Erik Pack. In Paris, Pierre Belaisch will continue to serve as president of animation with a focus on European TV series, and will report to Atlan.
Atlan joins Gaumont from Splash Entertainment, where he has been co-CEO since February 2014 following the company’s rebranding from Moonscoop. He has also served as president of VOD platform Kabillion. Atlan joined Moonscoop in 1994, working in its Paris HQ for 15 years. In 2009, he relocated to Moonscoop’s L.A. office, where he oversaw daily studio operations. Atlan’s executive producer credits include Code Lyoko, Fantastic 4, Sabrina: Secret of a Teenage Witch and the recently announced Netflix original Kulipari: An Army of Frogs.
New animation veep Terry Kalagian is a multitalented entertainment executive with almost 20 years of experience across various facets of the industry. She has assisted both U.S. and international entertainment companies and organizations drive new business and develop, acquire and produce new properties for kids and family audiences. Kalagian has worked with internationally respected companies like Mattel, Marvel, Starz Media, Cartoon Network, Polygon Pictures, ADK and Blink Studios. Prior to joining Gaumont, she was VP of business development for Rainmaker Entertainment. During her tenure at Turner, she led acquisitions and co-productions for Cartoon Network and Boomerang in the U.S.
