Turner Boosts Asian Creative Team

CANNES/HONG KONG: As part of its efforts to boost its original animation creation efforts in the region, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific has named Yoshiya Ayugai as executive producer for animation.

Based in Hong Kong, Ayugai will report to Silas Hickey, creative director of the Asia Pacific animation development. He will be responsible for the production of original animated content, and creative supervision for shorts, series and long-form productions. Turner currently has animation projects under way in India, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.

"Yoshiya is a terrific asset to the team and together with Silas will make a formidable creative force in the region," said Rick Fernandes, executive director of original production and development. “In an industry where content is king and story is key, Yoshiya will no doubt inspire even more compelling content that reflects the Cartoon Network brand personality that is ultimately fun, funny, fearless, and surprising.”

Ayugai was previously creative executive at Walt Disney TV in Burbank, manager of development for Walt Disney Animation Japan and producer for Cartoon Network Productions Japan.