LA-based VFX studio Saffronic has hired an Executive Creative Director, soon after Skyler Mattson was named CEO.

Animation specialist Kevin J. Johnson has landed the role at the company, which launched last year and has been following a global expansion strategy since then.

Johnson has worked in animation for three decades and was most recently Supervising Director at Universal 1440 Entertainment on the final four seasons of Curious George.

At Saffronic, he will work closely with Kristy Scanlan, the company’s recently appointed SVP of Business Development, to foster relationships with new and existing clients. He’ll lead on communication of creative vision, concepts, ideas, and solutions to stakeholders, internal teams, and clients, and lead ongoing productions.

The digital marketing veteran will spearhead long-term growth strategies for the VFX studio as it aims to meet a growing demand for animation services.

In her new role, Mattson will oversee and develop Saffronic’s growth in animation, video games and advertising.

Mattson has spent the last 21 years serving as president of LA-based marketing and consumer insights agency WongDoody. During her tenure there, she directed the company’s sales and marketing operations, growing the agency from 100 employees to more than 2,000 working in offices across the US, India, Australia and London.

Saffronic, an emerging leader in the animation and games space has begun its global expansion with the hire of Los Angeles-based Kristy Scanlan as Senior Vice President of Business Development. Scanlan brings her vast experience in both animation and games to Saffronic, having previously held senior business development roles at Mainframe Studios and Technicolor.

At Technicolor, she oversaw the business development for episodic animation and video games, growing the global games team to nearly 500 artists, and working with clients such as DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Disney TV Animation, Electronic Arts, Activision, Ubisoft, 2K and Warner Bros. Games. Prior to her business development roles, Scanlan spent 15+ years working in the development and production of live-action movies, longform animated content and location-based entertainment for brands like LEGO.

She is a former Co-President of WOMEN IN ANIMATION, as well as a member of the PRODUCERS GUILD OF AMERICA and ASIFA HOLLYWOOD.

Her remit at Saffronic will be to grow both the animation and games businesses. “I am thrilled to be reuniting with many of my past colleagues from Technicolor, after accomplishing so much during our decade of collaboration, to embark on this new adventure with Saffronic,” said Scanlan.

Tim Sarnoff, co-founder of Saffronic, said, “Kristy brings her clear eyed business acumen and trusted relationships to the stellar team that has been assembled at Saffronic. I look forward to seeing the company expand under her leadership.”