Jérôme Alby Joins Newen Connect

Mediatoon Distribution alum Jérôme Alby has joined the Newen Connect team as senior VP of distribution for animation, kids and family.

Alby is responsible for leading the commercial strategy of the kids and family business. He is in charge of securing international financing for the group’s productions, maximizing the monetization of the Newen kids and family catalog and cultivating brand management.

Alby will be reporting to Leona Connell, executive VP of sales at Newen Connect. He will also work with Sylvie Mahé, managing director and producer of Blue Spirit Productions, and her teams. Eléanor Coleman redirects her efforts to the development of Blue Spirit Studios.

In 2006, Alby joined Mediatoon Distribution and worked there for over 15 years, first as international sales manager, then as sales director and finally as managing director. At the end of 2014, Alby joined the group’s audiovisual management committee, where he remained for more than nine years, as managing director of international financing, distribution, digital, home video and music. In this capacity, he was CEO of Citel, Kana Home Video & Music and Mediatoon Distribution until 2023 and a member of Ellipsanime’s board of directors until June 2024.

Connell said: “I would like to welcome Jerome to Newen. His recognized expertise in the kids and family market and his extensive experience in international financing, content acquisition and co-production, as well as distribution and digital, are essential skills for the development of Newen Connect in the kids and family sector.”

Mahé added: “I wish Jérôme every success in his new role. His impressive track record within a major publishing and audiovisual group and his experience in the animation sector are the best assets to meet the challenges ahead and support the international long-term development of Blue Spirit Productions.”

Alby said: “I would like to thank Leona for her warm welcome and confidence. I’m delighted to be joining Newen and look forward to working with the Newen Connect and Blue Spirit teams to seize new opportunities and create new growth prospects for the group in the kids and family sector.”