Three executives are taking on new top-level positions in Warner Bros. Animation, completing a revamp of its management team.
Peter Girardi is the studio’s new senior VP of series and alternative animation, Ed Adams takes on the post of senior VP of business and legal affairs and administration, and Jay Bastian assumes the title of VP of series.
Girardi and Bastian will report to Sam Register, WB Animation’s executive VP of creative affairs, while Adams will report to WB Television President Peter Roth.
Girardi will oversee the creative for all WB Animation series and spearhead the development and production of animation for non-traditional animation markets and mediums, including internet and direct-to-DVD projects. Girardi comes to WB Animation after 13 years as executive creative director of Funny Garbage, a company he founded in 1995 and built into one of the premier producers of interactive experiences for the web and the digital space. Recently, Girardi has worked in TV as executive producer and production designer on the series Minoriteam and Saul of the Mole Men for Turner’s Adult Swim.
Bastian, meanwhile, will manage the day-to-day production for current television series such as Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated. He will focus on the development of animated comedy and traditional television programming for kids 6’11. He spent the last 11 years in the original series department at Cartoon Network, where he was the executive in charge of production of 10 original animated series, supervising the initial development and day-to-day production of such long-running programs as Ed, Edd n Eddy, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Justice League, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy and Chowder.
Adams will direct the day-to-day activities of WBA’s non-production operations, including business affairs, legal affairs, finance, planning and administration for the division. He will oversee negotiations of WBA’s deals with producers, writers and performers for its television series, direct-to-DVD releases and content for digital platforms, and will supervise the division’s business and legal affairs staff. Prior to joining WBA, Adams was head of legal affairs at DreamWorks Animation and head of business development and sales at Cookie Jar Entertainment.
“We are in the midst of ramping up development and production at WBA,” said Register. “By bringing Peter Girardi, Ed Adams and Jay Bastian into the fold, we are making a strong statement about our future intentions and the many avenues of animation we are pursuing.”
