New Leadership at TeamTO: Marco Balsamo Takes Charge After Riva Studios Acquisition!

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Commencing a fresh era at one of Europe’s top-tier independent animation studios, Marco Balsamo assumes the role of President and CEO, effective after Riva Studios Productions’ acquisition in December 2024.

The 33-year-old filmmaker and entrepreneur of Italian-American descent takes charge of TeamTO’s daily operations. He will juggle both executive and creative duties, aiming to steer the studio towards expansion within the fast-paced world of animation production.

Balsamo shared with EbMaster that this studio has created a remarkable history, and we are dedicated to maintaining its longevity. Additionally, our aim is to broaden our partnerships on a global scale, fortify our influence within the international animation industry, and position TeamTO as a top player in both innovative content creation and superior production services.

Riva, founded by Balsamo and Tara Sibel Demren, teamed up with filmmaker Jay Oliva (known for “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns” and “Twilight of the Gods”), and investor Peter Bekkerman from Lex & Otis and TeamTO’s investor. Together, they established a new management group dedicated to ensuring the studio’s lasting success. This acquisition occurs as TeamTO celebrates its 20th anniversary, symbolizing a significant milestone in the company’s timeline.

In keeping with its pledge to uphold TeamTO’s heritage, Riva Studios has retained approximately 90% of its workforce. The new leadership team includes veteran executives from TeamTO, such as Clélia Santi (Paris Studio Head), Carole Toledo (Valence Studio Head), Jean-Baptiste Spieser (Chief Technology Officer), Olivier Plazas (Art Director), and Fanny Weber (Executive Producer). Additional important roles are held by Demren and Oliva as Executive Producers, with Balsamo serving as Producer. More creative appointments will be announced soon.

Notably, the original co-founders and long-term leaders of TeamTO, Guillaume Hellouin and Corrine Kouper, who had initially intended to remain with the company after its acquisition, have decided to leave it instead.

For a long time, we’ve had a relationship with them, and I can only imagine the struggles they’re going through right now. Yet, we value their choice. Just like any change in leadership brings about alterations, our primary focus is ensuring that the essence of the studio they created remains robust. Fortunately, we’ve been able to keep 90% of its staff on board.

With fresh management, TeamTO plans to diversify its creative projects, merging the success of classic children’s animated shows like “Angelo Rules” and “Jade Armor” with a selection of unique self-created properties from Riva. This expansion aims to extend their influence into adult animation as well. The studio is actively working on an extensive portfolio that encompasses projects such as “Akira’s Flying Wheelchair,” “Junichiro Jackson,” “Yellow Cello and the Sea of Memories,” “The Adventures of Amir Hamza,” “Cradle: Unsouled,” “Era: The Legend of Lugh” and “Corvus Belli’s Infinity: Paradise Lost.

Balsamo and the newly appointed TeamTO leadership are particularly eager to venture into the realm of adult animation, with the new head emphasizing that partner Oliva will play a significant role in this transition. As Jay has directed some exceptional adult animated series in the past, they have four intellectual properties in development for adult audiences, ranging from comedic to psychological thrillers.

As CEO, Balsamo plans to broaden the range of TeamTO’s production portfolio to keep it at the forefront of the industry. He’ll collaborate closely with Oliva and Demren to create innovative new ventures that challenge the studio’s previous limits. Additionally, Balsamo will assume extended creative duties, acting as a showrunner, scriptwriter, and director for various productions.

Realizing TeamTO’s financial struggles the previous year, Balsamo and Demren had been proactively seeking methods to avoid bankruptcy since June. They had been diligently working on feasible solutions throughout this period. An unexpected encounter with Oliva in New York City during mid-October—merely four days before the bidding deadline—eventually prompted their joint decision to purchase the studio.

Balsamo expressed that the unexpected and swift way the deal was finalized remains almost unbelievable. In an animation industry where studios are facing hardships, animators are being let go, and years of work could disappear, he felt it was crucial not to let a studio as accomplished as TeamTO slip away. He’s been advocating for independent filmmaking spirit, and TeamTO exemplifies that same ethos. He couldn’t be more thrilled to collaborate with such an exceptional team on this journey.

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2025-02-17 14:17