EXCLUSIVE: Ed Adams, who has been with Warner Bros. Animation for 15 years, is retiring.
Adams, who is EVP and General Manager, Warner Bros. Animation (WBA), Cartoon Network Studios (CNS), Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe (HBSE), will step down in September.
Matt Matzkin, who is currently EVP, Business Operations & Production, Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, will be joining the animation team to assume a majority of Adams’ responsibilities, including oversight of main production.
Bobbie Page, current head of production for WBA and CNS, will also be departing the studio.
Adams has served in his current role since July 2018, adding Cartoon Network Studios to his portfolio in August 2020 and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe in April 2021. He has been the top business and operational executive for the studio and has been responsible for the day-to-day management of business affairs, production, operations, legal affairs, finance, strategic planning, and administration across all three studios’ programming.
He joined the company in 2009 and was promoted to SVP and GM in 2015. He had previously worked at DreamWorks Animation and Cookie Jar Entertainment, having started as an attorney.
Matzkin was named in his current role last year, having previously been EVP, Business Affairs, Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, since August 2020. He oversees the business side for Warner Horizon, Telepictures, and Shed Media.
He will continue to oversee the unscripted side of things and now dually reports to Brett Paul, President, Warner Bros. Television, and Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe.
Ed Adams said, “For someone who was such a huge fan of animation throughout my childhood and young adult years, I never dreamt I might someday make a career in the field. Of all the things I have done in the legal, animation, and entertainment industries, playing a part in the history of these three storied studios will go down as the most enjoyable and rewarding experience of my career.”
Sam Register added, “When I first arrived at Warner Bros. Animation, Ed was one of a few individuals I knew I had to have join me at the studio, and he has been an invaluable and trusted partner ever since. Fifteen years and thousands of hours of programming later, I thank him for all of his contributions in growing our studios and making them a place where the art and artists can thrive.”