Aardman has today (Friday 1 March) confirmed a series of new hires and promotions to its executive board.
Emma Hardie, who is currently commercial director, global entertainment for BBC Studios, will join Aardman in the newly created role of executive commercial and brand director.
The role will see her lead the commercial exploitation and strategy for Aardman’s brand portfolio, overseeing the strategy for financing, distribution, licensing, marketing and long-term planning of the studio’s animated intellectual property.
Emma (pictured above) will take up her new role on 15 April.
“Aardman is an exceptional studio with an incredible history and place in the hearts of audiences worldwide,” Emma commented. “I am thrilled and honoured to be joining such a fantastic team, and look forward to bringing Aardman’s much-loved characters and brands to fans and partners around the world.”
Meanwhile, existing executive board members Sarah Cox and Daniel Efergan have both received promotions, to chief creative director and executive creative director of interactive & innovation, respectively.
Sean Clarke, md at Aardman, commented: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Emma and announce these promotions. Our approach has always been to champion, nurture and empower the brilliant talent that already exists at Aardman while also bringing on board the best of the best from elsewhere across the entertainment industry.
“It allows us to capitalise on the decades of experience of our colleagues, while also ensuring we continue to bring in fresh ideas and new and innovative thinking. Needless to say, we are delighted that our co-founder Peter Lord will continue to play a vital role both here at Aardman and across the wider animation world.”
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