Ireland’s elk.Studios preps for growth with investment

The studio is spending more than US$500,000 to elevate its production capabilities and expand its team.
January 26, 2024

Ireland’s elk.Studios has secured more than US$500,000 in new funding from an undisclosed private investor that it will use to upgrade its infrastructure, team and pipeline.

Traditionally specializing in 2D animation, the studio has done service work on shows like Ray of Sunshine, a preschool toon from Dublin’s Daily Madness that premiered on RTÉjr in 2022. CEO Ian Hamilton says that half of the capital infusion will go into original IP development. And to support this growth strategy, the company has installed Brian Gilmore (pictured left) permanently as head of studio. 

Gilmore, who has been a consultant producer with elk since last year, previously worked in production for 20 years at Brown Bag Films. And he has done one-year stints at Aardman (as an animation technology consultant) and Cartoon Saloon (as an animation pipeline supervisor). 

Boulder Media founder Rob Cullen (pictured right) has also joined elk as a creative advisor, with a remit that covers both service work and original productions. Cullen is well-versed in kids TV, having served as an animation director on shows like Cartoon Network’s Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends and The Amazing World of Gumball.

To round out the team, elk has hired Lisa Furlong Jones as a producing advisor and promoted Maeve McAdam to financial advisor. McAdam came on board last year as an executive producer of business development.

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