Studiocanal announces a new CEO for Copyrights Group and EVP Kids’ Brands

Studiocanal announced that Françoise Guyonnet has been appointed CEO Copyrights Group and EVP Kids’ Brands. The company described the news as “a confident move for the studio" which wishes to accelerate growth in children’s IP, and follows the recent announcement of “Miffy” at BLE.

Françoise Guyonnet has held the position of Director of TV Series at Studiocanal since 2017. She will take up her new role in early 2024, and will continue to report to Studiocanal’s CEO and Canal+ Group Deputy CEO, Anna Marsh. Meanwhile, Katheryn Needham, who has worked over the past year as the Interim CEO for Copyrights, will return to Studiocanal in early 2024 as Guyonnet moves formally into her new role.

Copyrights Group, owned by Vivendi, which Studiocanal has been responsible for developing since 2022, is an international intellectual property management agency (brands, licences, derivative products). By taking over as CEO, Françoise Guyonnet will be responsible for accelerating its growth, as well as diversifying its income.

The Studiocanal “Paddington” franchise is its most iconic IP, with three animated series now produced. BAFTA nominated “Paddington” films 1 and 2 boasted US$500 million in cumulative global box office revenue, and the highly anticipated “Paddington in Peru” is coming to cinemas worldwide in 2024.

Furthermore, Studiocanal has successfully distributed kids’ series such as “Sammy,” “Esther’s Notebook” and “The Adventures of Paddington” all around the world, as well as films such as “Shaun the Sheep,” “Ernest & Célestine,” and “Around the world in 80 days.” The arrival of Françoise Guyonnet as EVP Kids’ Brands aims to strengthen the group's activity in this space where, in addition to “Paddington,” other ambitious developments are currently in play including “Pippi Longstocking,” “Miffy” and the “Woodwalkers” franchises.

“I would like to acknowledge the work carried out by Françoise Guyonnet who, in her seven years at the helm of Studiocanal’s TV series activity has accomplished monumental work in a period of extreme industry upheaval. Studiocanal’s TV business has grown extensively since its inception and now boasts a network of 14 television production companies, in nine major markets. Françoise has deftly contributed to the success of kids’ content throughout her career and her deep knowledge in this field, coupled with her experience in television production, will ensure that our ambitions are in very capable hands,”  Anna Marsh commented.