Lion Forge Taps Imagine Kids+Family’s Stephanie Sperber

Lion Forge Entertainment has named veteran family entertainment executive Stephanie Sperber as president and chief content officer.

In this newly created role, Sperber will focus on building global transmedia franchises around the IP that sits within Lion Forge, as well as expanding strategic production and distribution partnerships, spearheading licensing and merchandising initiatives, and overseeing all aspects of the company’s new live-action film and TV division.

Prior to joining Lion Forge, Sperber was president of Imagine Kids+Family, a division she launched to extend Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment into the kids’ space. Sperber will continue in her role as executive producer on The Tiny Chef Show for Imagine Entertainment.

As a company, Lion Forge Entertainment will develop and produce animated and live-action content targeting kids and family and YA audiences, building on the success of Lion Forge Animation (Academy Award-winning Hair Love) has achieved. Sperber will report to CEO David Steward II and COO Edward Hamati.

Steward said, “We’re so thrilled to have Stephanie join the Lion Forge family in this key expansionary moment. An accomplished leader in the family entertainment space, Stephanie is uniquely equipped to build deep and layered franchises and run a multidimensional business unit supporting them through all correlating verticals. Her unparalleled experience, creative instincts, industry relationships, business acumen, and work ethos will be a driving force for Lion Forge and pave the way for us to enter exciting new frontiers.”

“The Lion Forge brand has stood for diversity and representation in animation for the past four years, and I’m thrilled to take that brand and that mission into the live-action series and feature space,” added Steward. “We believe that it’s important for kids and teens to see themselves and their experiences reflected in the content, and we look forward to showcasing stories across race, identity and gender for the kids, YA and family audiences.”

“Stephanie is a professional franchise builder and has a very keen eye and vision for the kids and family space,” said Hamati. “Her track record is well established in terms of building wonderful, novel properties which connect with audiences. Lastly, she is a highly collaborative and well-respected leader who not only enhances the strong culture and focus of our company but brings a strong working history with key Hollywood players.”