Digital media and children's television exec Lisa Judson has been named president, Warner Bros. Animation, succeeding Sander Schwartz, who recently departed to concentrate on broadband and new media animation with the studio as a producer.
In fact, along with being responsible for all aspects of Warner Bros. Animation's development and production activities, Judson will spearhead the division's broadband and new media/digital efforts. She will also hold general oversight of the division's marketing, business affairs, legal and administrative teams. Further, she'll oversee direct-to-consumer animated production (working with Warner Premiere) and work with the company's consumer products team and other divisions, utilizing classic, contemporary and original characters to build animation brands across multiple platforms while fully maximizing the value of the company's animation assets.
As part of a companywide revitalization of the studio's animated assets, Judson will collaborate with divisional teams across Warner Bros. Ent. Judson will report directly to Bruce Rosenblum, president, Warner Bros. Television Group.
"Today it takes more than just compelling programming to break through in the highly saturated kids' arena," said Rosenblum. "With Lisa, we have an executive with a proven track record in innovative, attention-grabbing marketing as well as finely honed creative skills and a keen understanding of the kids' marketplace. We expect that she will step up our activities in the television production, new media and direct-to-consumer arenas. Her 15 years of experience in kids' TV and online marketing give her a unique combination of skills and insight, which will truly help us take our kids business to the next level."
Judson will work closely with Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and his senior team to fully maximize and exploit all appropriate consumer product and animation cross promotion opportunities. "We have some of the world's most beloved classic and contemporary characters in our portfolio," said Globe. "Working with Lisa, we'll get these characters into the marketplace in relevant, impactful and important ways, whether its high-end fashion deals or licensing agreements with A-list partners."
On direct-to-consumer titles, Judson will collaborate with Warner Premiere. "Some of the biggest releases in the direct-to-video business are animated titles," said Diane Nelson, president, Warner Premiere. "I look forward to drawing on Lisa's expertise to explore this genre and continue the studio's tradition of creating world-class animated properties loved by both kids and adults."
Prior to joining Warner Bros. Animation, Judson served as svp, Marketing, AOL, a post to which she was promoted after joining AOL as svp, Programming in 2003. While at AOL, she leveraged programming and marketing strategies to launch such record-breaking initiatives as GOLD RUSH (produced by Mark Burnett), In2TV (a broadband network created in partnership with Warner Bros. Ent.) and LIVE 8 (the Internet's first Emmy winner). She was also responsible for developing new programming and marketing initiatives for AOL's news, sports, music, movies, women's and kids' areas.
Before AOL, Judson spent nine years at Nickelodeon, having lastly served as svp, Programming and exec creative director, responsible for marketing and programming Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Nick at Nite. While at Nickelodeon, she helped lead the network to its position as the number one basic cable network for four consecutive years. She also launched Nickelodeon's feature film activities with THE RUGRATS MOVIE, the first non-Disney feature to break $100 million at the U.S. box office.
An ACE Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning producer, Judson has also held creative and production posts at Fox Television, Lifetime, A&E and CBS/Fox Video.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
