Open to opportunities

Irene Weibel

@ireneweibel

Message

Executive producer specializing in children's animation, distribution, and production leadership.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek leadership roles in children's animation where I can drive production, distribution, and licensing growth within collaborative, creative teams that value operational excellence and strategic partnerships.

I am an executive producer with 20+ years focused on producing and distributing children's entertainment, currently leading animated shorts production and operations at a YouTube-first studio. I deliver creative content development, animation production, and distribution partnerships with a focus on timely execution.

I produced 50 episodes (22 minutes) of the BBC-commissioned series Moon and Me, raised $25M through licensing, merchandising and distributor advances, and managed the show's UK and China broadcast and licensing launches; Moon and Me received a BAFTA nomination in 2019 and my company Sutikki was purchased in 2020. I continue to shepherd projects from concept through global distribution while optimizing creative and business workflows.

I have led teams of 200+ full-time and contracted staff while managing a $50M annual budget, overseen production pipelines producing up to 125 episodes per year, and coached multiple direct reports. My work has been recognized with industry awards including an International Emmy and a Canadian Screen Award, and I cultivate positive, deadline-driven cultures with strong stakeholder relationships.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Head of Studio, Executive Producer

Current

Driver Studios

Nov 2023 - Present (1 year 10 months)

Lead all production and operations of animated shorts for a New York–based YouTube-first studio, overseeing content delivery, studio workflows, and timely execution of releases.

YouTube Distribution Production Operations Content Development Team Leadership Budget Management

Executive Producer / Co-Founder

Sutikki LLC

Oct 2016 - Jan 2020 (3 years 3 months)

Served as independent producer of children's content; produced 50 x 22-minute episodes of BBC-commissioned Moon and Me, raised $25M in financing and managed UK and China licensing and broadcast launches.

Financing Licensing & Merchandising Budget Management Co Founder Operations

Vice President, Head of Studio

Corus Entertainment / Nelvana

Jul 2012 - Sep 2016 (4 years 2 months)

Provided creative direction and leadership for an active animation studio, managing 200+ staff and a $50M annual budget to produce ~125 episodes per year and deliver 7–10 series annually.

Studio Leadership Budget Management Team Management Series Development