Canada’s premiere animation studio, Mercury Filmworks, has expanded into the European marketplace by adding a production studio in Dublin. Mercury Filmworks is known for its work on programming such as ‘Mickey Mouse’, ‘Wander Over Yonder’, ‘Team Hot Wheels’, ‘Jake & the Never Land Pirates’ and ‘Fish Hooks’.
“Our broadcast and production partners have outlined a critical need for our knowledge and expertise in the European market and we have responded,” says Clint Eland, president and CEO of Mercury Filmworks. “We are particularly grateful to our friends at Disney and DreamWorks for pledging their support and without whom this venture could not have become a reality.”
Alan Gregg, the former director of original content for Canadian kids’ channel Teletoon, has been tapped as president of European production. In addition to his leading role, Gregg will also serve on the production company’s board of directors. Gregg, who is originally from Ireland, will relocate to Dublin this summer to oversee all creative and business operations for Mercury Filmworks Europe.
Greg states, “There is a wealth of talent available in Ireland and across Europe. When you combine that with a very supportive local infrastructure, the ingredients for successful growth are already there. Mercury Filmworks Europe will play a significant role in building and sustaining the Irish animation industry.”
An emerging centre for international animation production, Dublin (and Ireland as a whole) boasts a thriving animation scene, with major animation studios like Cartoon Saloon and Brown Bags as Academy Award nominees and Emmy award winners, respectively. A solid educational support structure and significant tax incentives make it the ideal base for Mercury’s European operations.
Mercury Filmworks Europe will be a stand-alone operation with development and production activities that encompass service, co-production and proprietary business structures.
Mercury Filmworks Europe is scheduled to open in autumn 2014. Official hiring notices as well as initial project details are to be announced in the coming weeks.
