Cyber Group Studios US expands LA operations

Cyber Group Studios USA, a subsidiary of Cyber Group Studios, has launched a content development and direct-to-consumer wing at its LA office and hired two senior execs.

Ira Singerman (left) has joined the company as vice president of development to initiate the changes.

He will be responsible for a slate of new television projects and other animated content that will be developed in North America. He will work with top talent and also use resources from the company’s Paris animation studio.

Singerman has formerly worked with NBC Universal Kids & family and Mattel.

Jessica Hogan was also named manager of direct-to-consumer. She will oversee the company’s business with platforms reaching consumers directly with video-on-demand content and print-on-demand consumer products as well as a new, branded OTT platform for kids.

“We are always looking for the next great series for kids, but a major focus of our new development pipeline will be well-known intellectual properties and strategic partnerships with toy companies. Ira has the perfect background to achieve our goals,” said Richard Goldsmith, president and CEO of Cyber Group Studios USA.

The content development and direct-to-consumer operations are part of the parent company’s overall expansion plans, according to the office.

Pierre Sissmann, chairman and CEO of Cyber Group Studios, said: “We established the office in Los Angeles to continue the organic growth of our businesses and to meet our objective of being a truly global company.

“The new development pipeline was started out of demand for our productions in the region and the direct-to-consumer group to take advantage of new technologies, platforms and consumer preferences.”