Cyber Group hires ex-TF1, Gaumont veterans

France’s Cyber Group Studios has added former TF1 Production and Gaumont Animation production execs as the newly minted kids firm continues to expand.

Stéphanie Baclet (pictured) has been named head of productions at Cyber Group’s new studio in the Hauts-de-France region, with Caroline Audebert taking the same role in Paris.

Baclet previously worked as studio director at French indie Ankama and as delegate producer at commercial broadcaster TF1’s production arm.

Audebert is an ex-Superprod and Gaumont Animation exec, and is considered a 3D specialist.

The news comes soon after French investment firm L-GAM bought out Cyber Group’s minority shareholders as part of an expansion plan that will see the producer target company acquisitions.

Cyber Group bought Paris-based Piktor Media in 2016 and has pushed into the US through the hire of former Jim Henson sale boss Richard Goldsmith.

“This is a key moment for Cyber Group Studios, which expands its development in France and abroad, particularly in Los Angeles with our new American subsidiary,” said Olivier Lelardoux, senior VP and associate producer at the company.

“With Stéphanie Baclet, Caroline Audebert, and [former Studio100 exec and] director of studio development Jacques Romeu, the company is well armed to face the challenges of the coming years.”

Cyber will this year deliver season three of Zou and Mirette Investigates to French broadcasters, and has seven series in production for launch in 2018 and 2019.

These include France Télévisions’ The Pirates Next Door, Disney Sadie Sparks and Gigantosaurus, Turner International’s Taffy and season two of The Happos Family, season two of TF1’s Mini-Ninjas and Rai, ARD and SRC coproduction Tom Sawyer.