Media Release

Jason DeMarco Named Senior Vice President, Anime and Action Series/Longform for Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios

Veteran Creative Executive Takes on Expanded Responsibilities in Addition to Role at Adult Swim

Burbank, CA (August 10, 2021) – Warner Bros. announced today that Jason DeMarco has taken on a newly expanded role joining Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) and Cartoon Network Studios (CNS) as Senior Vice President, Anime and Action Series/Longform. DeMarco will also continue his role at Adult Swim as Senior Vice President, Head of Anime and Action Series. DeMarco will report to both Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios and Michael Ouweleen, President, Adult Swim.
 
In his newly formed dual role, DeMarco will spearhead WBA and CNS’ expansion into producing anime content, drawing upon his extensive experience and relationships with some of Japan’s most prolific anime studios, artists, and creators. He will also be responsible for identifying and developing projects in the animated action genre. In both cases he will pursue properties – original, library and third-party – to develop and produce series and longform programming for all audiences. Among his first projects, DeMarco will serve as the lead creative executive on The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, the upcoming original anime feature film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama and produced by New Line Cinema and WBA.
 
As Senior Vice President, Head of Anime and Action at Adult Swim DeMarco will serve as the current series and development executive of anime titles. He is currently overseeing production of Adult Swim’s new original anime series Fena: Pirate Princess, famed Japanese horror franchise Uzumaki and the highly anticipated Blade Runner: Black Lotus set to premiere later this yearPrevious series under his watch includes two seasons of fan favorite anime series, FLCL. In addition, DeMarco will lead the creative direction, development, and implementation of all facets of on-air communication, promotion, packaging, and sponsorships for Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block.
 
Sam Register said: “Jason is an outstanding executive with a proven track record of successfully partnering with the best anime storytellers and creators and doing so with an unmatched level of enthusiasm. His wealth of knowledge and passion will bring Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios sought after opportunities in the anime and action space.”
 
Michael Ouweleen said: “Jason has been a key creative voice at Adult Swim since before it started.  We are delighted that he will still be working with us on everything Toonami, and beyond thrilled to share his incredible dedication and expertise with our animation studios.”
 
Jason DeMarco said: “I got into this business because I love action cartoons and storytelling. Being able to work in anime and action development, two areas of animation I care about deeply, is a dream come true. I can’t wait to bring everything I’ve learned from Toonami and Adult Swim to our animation studios.”
 
DeMarco has been with Adult Swim and Cartoon Network for more than 20 years, beginning as a senior writer/producer and rising through the ranks of the on-air, marketing and promotions teams. Among his many accomplishments, DeMarco co-created the Toonami programming block and has managed the brand throughout its nearly 25-year history. He also founded Adult Swim’s Williams Street Records, creating original music albums which then inspired the launch of the popular Adult Swim Singles Program. The annual program provides free streaming music to fans by new and emerging artists, as well as top acts such as Run The Jewels. His passion for music and extensive relationships with industry artists led to the debut of the first ever Adult Swim Festival, which was held in Los Angeles in 2018 and continues today.

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About Adult Swim
Adult Swim (AdultSwim.com), launched in 2001, is WarnerMedia’s #1 brand for young adults offering original and acquired animated and live-action series. Airing nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET/PT) on its linear channel, and also available through HBO Max, Adult Swim is basic cable's #1 network with persons 18-34 and 18-49, and is seen in 94 million U.S. homes, reaching over 40 million viewers via HBO Max.

 

About Cartoon Network Studios
Established in 2000, Cartoon Network Studios (CNS) is a global animation and interactive studio recognized for its innovative approaches to IP development and world-building. Fostering a creator-driven environment, CNS is home to hundreds of visual artists who have been a part of the studio’s many critically acclaimed and groundbreaking animated series including Adventure Time, Craig of the Creek, Steven Universe, Summer Camp Island, The Powerpuff Girls, and We Bare Bears. CNS has also produced notable Adult Swim hits such as Primal, Samurai Jack, and Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law.
 
CNS has been honored with multiple awards and accolades including: Emmy®, Peabody, GLAAD and Annie Awards. Internationally, the studio also garnered the BAFTA Children’s Award, Italy’s prestigious Pulcinella Award and Annecy Festival’s Cristal Award. Currently, CNS houses a VR lab, and produces an array of interactive formats and products for youth and young adult audiences around the world. As part of its ongoing efforts to discover unique and promising voices everywhere, the studio has a robust global Artist Program and has numerous partnerships, including Exceptional Minds, Black Women Animate and California Institute of the Arts.

 

About Warner Bros. Animation
Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) is one of the leading producers of animation in the entertainment industry, producing and developing projects for multiple platforms, both domestically and internationally. WBA’s current series include Animaniacs for Hulu, Green Eggs and Ham for Netflix, Aquaman: King of Atlantis, Batman: Caped Crusader, Batwheels, Gremlins: Secrets of the MogwaiHarley Quinn, Jellystone!, Little Ellen, Looney Tunes Cartoons, My Adventures with Superman, Tiny Toons Looniversity, Tom and Jerry in New York, Velma and Young Justice for HBO Max, DC Super Hero Girls, Teen Titans Go!, ThunderCats Roar for Cartoon Network,  Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, Scooby-Doo! and Guess Who?, The Tom and Jerry Show and Yabba-Dabba Dinosaurs! for Boomerang.  The studio is currently in production with New Line Cinema on the upcoming original anime feature film, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.  WBA’s full-length theatrical film, Teen Titans GO! to the Movies, was released in summer 2018. As home to the iconic animated characters from the DC, Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Looney Tunes libraries, WBA also produces highly successful animated films — including the DC Universe Movies — for DVD, Blu-ray® and digital media. One of the most-honored animation studios in history, WBA has won six Academy Awards®, 35 Emmy® Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, a BAFTA Children’s Award, an Environmental Media Award, a Parents’ Choice Award, the HUMANITAS Prize, two Prism Awards and 20 Annie Awards (honoring excellence in animation).

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