Animation studio Arc Productions, formerly Starz Animation Toronto, has restructured its management under new Canadian owners to include Jeff Young as president and COO.

Young, most recently head of finance at the 3D cartoon studio, replaces EVP and studio head David Steinberg, who has departed the operation after running it since its launch in 2007.

Steinberg oversaw production on five major feature films, including Gnomeo & Juliet (pictured) for Miramax Pictures and Rocket Pictures, before a local Canadian consortium acquired a majority stake from US-based Starz.

“The purchase of Arc from Starz and the development of an aggressive growth strategy as a Canadian-owned company has required us to cope with many changes,” Tom Murray, partner and co-CEO, said Thursday.

“Chief among the changes is the promotion of Young.  The opportunities are tremendous and we are happy to see Jeff assume more responsibility,” he added.

In addition to Young’s appointment, Murray also named Peter Kozik as VP of finance after a stint at PricewaterhouseCoopers as a senior manager.

Starz remains a shareholder in the new Canadian operation.

From Playback Online.