Jeff Farnath Leaving CEO Post at Vinton Studios

Jeff Farnath Leaving CEO Post at Vinton Studios

PORTLAND, Ore., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Vinton Studios owner and Chairman of the Board Phil Knight today announced that Jeff Farnath will be leaving his position as CEO of Vinton Studios, effective immediately. Vinton Studios and Mr. Farnath had been in active negotiations to renew his contract but were unable to come to terms. Mr. Farnath, who joined Vinton Studios in 2000 as CFO and became CEO in the Fall of 2001, will continue under contract with Vinton Studios as a consultant. Bob Harold, a Vinton Studios Board member and 18-year Nike, Inc. Finance executive, will serve as interim CEO until Mr. Farnath's permanent replacement is found

Vinton Studios, with offices in Portland and Los Angeles, is one of the foremost character animation companies in the world and a leading producer of computer animation, stop-motion animation, cel animation, and live action for entertainment and commercials. The company boasts an Academy Award winning director, 11 prime-time Emmy Awards, 10 Clio awards, and over 100 international accolades including honors from the New York International Film & TV Festival, the Annecy Awards, the Cannes International Advertising Festival, the London International Advertising & Design Festival, the Annie Awards, the Mobius advertising awards, and the World Animation Celebration Festival.

In making the announcement, Mr. Knight said, "Jeff has made a significant contribution to the continued success of this company. His stewardship and vision have allowed the Studio to secure its future in the animated feature film business, fortify its position as a leading producer of animated commercials, and attract the very best talent in the industry. We will continue to rely on his input as a valued consultant."

"It's been an honor to guide the Studio through this exciting and challenging period in its history," says Mr. Farnath. "I'm very proud of what we've accomplished over the past four years and I know that the extraordinarily talented people at this company will continue to create great work."

Over the last year, Vinton Studios has launched an aggressive move into animated feature film production. In a major deal, the Studio recently acquired author Laura Ruby's second children's book, "The Wall And The Wing," to be published next year by HarperCollins, as a directing vehicle for Henry Selick ("The Nightmare Before Christmas," "James And The Giant Peach"), who joined Vinton Studios as supervising director in May, 2004. Selick is currently working on his short CG film "Moongirl," and will then begin production on his CG feature film adaptation of "Coraline," based on the international bestselling children's book by Neil Gaiman. Former 20th Century FOX Chairman/CEO Bill Mechanic and his Pandemonium Films will co-produce.

Vinton Studios has been building the creative infrastructure necessary to produce world-class animated films. Mike Cachuela and Jorgen Klubien have recently joined the Studio as Directors of Story in the feature film area. Cachuela's credits as a storyboard artist, animator, or conceptual artist include "The Incredibles," "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou," "Toy Story," "Antz," "James And The Giant Peach," and "The Nightmare Before Christmas." During his eight year association with Pixar, Klubien developed original feature film story ideas, wrote and illustrated the original concept for the studio's upcoming feature, "Cars," and was story development artist on "Monsters, Inc.," "Toy Story 2," and "A Bug's Life," for which he was also co-writer. Fiona Kenhsole, formerly Publishing Director of Oxford University Press Children's Books and a major force in international publishing, joined Vinton Studios last year as head of worldwide literary scouting operations.

Vinton Studios is a leading producer of animated commercials and shorts, including long-running and iconic campaigns. Among the standouts, Vinton Studios has produced numerous spots for the popular M&Ms for BBDO/NY, characters which were recently voted America's Favorite Ad icons at Advertising Week in NYC. The Nissan "Toys" spot for TBWA Chiat/Day, featuring an action figure driving a red Nissan sports car, was hailed as an advertising milestone by Time, Rolling Stone, and TV Guide. The Studio has built upon its strength in character animation while expanding its expertise in multi-media in major campaigns for Honda, Arby's, Wrigley's, and Samsung, among many others. In 2002, Vinton Studios acquired Celluloid Studios, animators of numerous advertising character icons.

Vinton Studios also produced the Emmy Award-winning, prime-time animated television series "The PJs" with Imagine Entertainment and Eddie Murphy, in association with Warner Bros. Television, the first stop-motion animated series in television history.

Source: Vinton Studios

CONTACT: Maggie Begley of Maggie Begley Communications, +1-310-301-1785, or cell, +1-310-749-3055, mbegley@aol.com, for Vinton Studios

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos available upon request.

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