Snipple appoints Disney alum Tom Toumazis as non-executive chair as company expands

Tom Toumazis

Phillippines-and-UK-based animation studio Snipple has appointed former Disney exec Tom Toumazis as its non-executive chair.

In his new role, Toumazis will support the company’s growth and advise on all aspect of business and corporate strategy. He will also “significantly” expand the company’s network and assist in managing relationships between directors and investors, as well as lead on corporate governance and duty.

His arrival follows the launch of Snipple’s new original content division, backed by a £6 million (USD$8 million) investment from BGF, which London-based CEO Kaine Patel recently told TBI had been an “eight-year dream”.

Toumazis is a former FTSE CEO who has held executive roles at The Walt Disney Company, ITV, Endemol Shine, Yahoo! and Eurosport, with his appointment coming as the result of an introduction from BGF’s Talent Network – the UK pool of non-executive directors.

In his role as EVP/MD for EMEA and Canada of Disney-ABC-ESPN-Television, Toumazis was responsible for overseeing programme and channel distribution across all genres, including children’s franchises.

Meanwhile, as CCO at Endemol, he was responsible for overall company growth, introducing new business opportunities including TV distribution, merchandising and licensing, sport and scripted entertainment.

Trippin’

In more recent years, he has worked as a portfolio director, investor and adviser, focused on technology, media and the arts.

“I was immediately inspired by the quality of Snipple’s animation and impressed by Kaine and the global business he and the entire team have built,” said Toumazis. “It’s also evident that BGF are extremely committed to helping us grow, and that’s something that’s been very encouraging for the whole business.”

Patel founded Snipple more than a decade ago, alongside studio director Jonathan Tinsay and creative director Romy Gacia. Its portfolio of animated productions includes Where’s Waldo? Dora And Friends: Into the City! Animaniacs, Green Eggs And Ham, Ducktales, Be Cool Scooby Doo and Phineas And Ferb.

Now making the move into original IP, the company has announced several upcoming projects, including Peeled Prawn & Shaved Sheep, a comedy action-adventure series aimed at 6-12-year-olds; Snö, a magical adventure series for 4-7-year-olds and Trippin’, an 18+ comedy series based around a high octane and extremely offensive US road trip.