Travis Knight New President of Laika
Son of Nike Co-Founder Phil Knight Lead Animator on Coraline
Mar 7, 2009 Dominic von Riedemann
Travis Knight is the new president and CEO of Laika Entertainment, announced his father, studio owner and chairman of the board Phil Knight. on Thursday. The younger Knight succeeds former president and CEO Dale Wahl, who held the position since 2005. Phil Knight, who is also a co-founder and Chairman of the Board for Nike athletic wear, made the announcement on Thursday.
Travis Knight has been an integral part of the Portland-based Laika for several years. He was the company's head of animation since 2007 and was a lead animator on the studio's first film, the stop-motion hit Coraline.
The film, based on the award-winning children's novel by Neil Gaiman, was a massive critical success and has earned $61 million since its theatrical release on February 6th. This occurred despite the fact the flick is technically in limited release.
Travis Knight Lead Animator on Coraline
"Travis' passion has always been the arts in general and filmmaking in particular," said Phil Knight in the press release. "He was Coraline's earliest champion, playing a key role in our decision to green-light the project and his creative contribution as lead animator on the film was immense."
In addition, Laika Inc. has appointed Coraline producer Claire Jennings to the newly-created position of President, Entertainment. In addition to her work on Coraline, Jennings produced several Aardman Animation properties like Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit and Creature Comforts, as well as directing some episodes of the BBC mini-series Canterbury Tales.
"Enhanced by Claire Jennings' extraordinary depth of career experience as an award-winning producer and as a development and production executive of the highest order, I'm confident that our new leadership team will continue to move Laika to the forefront of the animation industry," Phil Knight continued.
According to Knight, Dale Wahl stepped down as CEO at his request. "After four years and at age 65," Knight said, "he felt, in his words, it was time to smell one rose."
Wahl will act as vice-chairman to assist Knight and Jennings ease into their new gigs until he officially retires at the end of October. He will also temporarily fill the role of executive vice-president of business operations and CFO until the studio finds someone else to fill that position.
Laika's Next Films
Laika currently has nine film projects in its schedule. They include the already announced Here Be Monsters, based on the best-selling book by Alan Snow; The Wall and the Wing, based on another bestseller by Laura Ruby, and Paranorman, based on an original idea by Chris Butler, who was the head of story on Coraline.
"At our core, Laika is an audacious, scrappy, and inventive community of filmmakers, driven by our love of animation, a belief in its endless possibilities, and confidence in its promise to touch the world," Travis Knight said. "Simply put, we hope to grow into the boldest, most innovative animation studio in the world."
Travis Knight, new President/CEO of Laika
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