A quick round-up of hires and promotions around the industry:
§ Gary Thompson, founder of the Dead Reckoning graphic novel imprint, has joined Square Enix as Editorial Director. Square Enix publishes an array of manga and books, and Thompson will be working with publishing director Leyla Aker to bring in more new titles.
§ Image has hired Ian Baldessari as print manager, reporting to VP of Production Heath Doornink. He serve as the main liaison between the department and the company’s various domestic and international printer partners.
“As someone who grew up in a town that didn’t have a local comic shop I had to get my fix at the library by picking up trades and graphic novels,” said Baldessari. “Image was the publisher that showed me comics were so much more than just golden-age superhero compendiums. Series like The Walking Dead, Saga, and Kick Ass were what helped me fall in love with the medium. I’m honored to join the company that is responsible for making me a fan of comics.”
Baldessari was formerly production manager at Vault Comics.
§ Diya Sagar has joined AWA as the company’s first Chief Financial Officer. She brings a wide experience to the role:
She has worked with businesses of all stages, including large-cap public companies, private equity-owned corporations, and venture-backed startups. Sagar joins AWA from its lead shareholder Lupa Systems, James Murdoch’s private investment firm, where she was an investor in media and technology companies. Previously, she led corporate development & strategy at Endemol Shine Group, the world’s largest independent TV production company at the time. She started her career in investment banking at Deutsche Bank in London, covering M&A and capital raises for technology, media and telecoms companies. In addition to her financial and operational acumen, she has a keen understanding of how new technologies and strategic partnerships can support creators’ work. She received her M.B.A. from the Yale School of Management and B.A. in Economics from the University of Durham.
Sagar will work with the rest of the AWA c-suite, including Matthew Anderson, Co-Chairman and President, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman Jon Miller, Chief Creative Officer Axel Alonso, AWA Studios’ President Zach Studin, and General Counsel Bob Cohen. In addition to being responsible for the financial management of the company, Sagar will lead business strategy, corporate development, M&A, operations and emerging technology initiatives.
“After supporting Lupa Systems’ investment in AWA over recent years, I was energized by the opportunity to move into the company and continue building it from the inside,” says Sagar in a statement. “In a market that is undergoing significant upheaval, AWA’s mission to reward creators fairly for their work is not only acutely relevant, but critical if we are to achieve positive outcomes in these creative industries.”
§ Blake Kobashigawa has joined Skybound as senior director, business development, he recently tweeted. He was formerly SVP of Sales, Marketing & Strategy at IDW, and a variety of positions at DC Comics.
§ Skybound also recently promoted Arune Singh to Vice President Brand, Editorial. Skybound has been on a tear lately, with their new Transformers/Hasbro line of comics topping the charts, and the first issue of the Daniel Warren Johnson led Transformers line selling more than 150,000 copies in the direct market.
Congrats to all!
