Balsamo will oversee TeamTO’s operations, balancing executive and creative responsibilities while positioning the studio for growth.
February 17, 2025 By License Global
TeamTO has announced the appointment of Marco Balsamo as president and chief executive officer, following its acquisition by RIVA Studios Productions SRL in December. The 33-year-old Italian-American filmmaker and entrepreneur will now oversee TeamTO’s operations, balancing executive and creative responsibilities while positioning the studio for growth.
Co-founded by Balsamo and Tara Sibel Demren, the Italian production company partnered with Jay Oliva of Lex & Otis and investor Peter Bekkerman, to form a new ownership group with the sole purpose of securing the studio’s long-term future. The acquisition coincides with TeamTO’s 20th anniversary.
As part of its commitment to preserving TeamTO’s legacy, RIVA Studios retained 90% of the studio’s employees, ensuring continuity while stabilizing operations. The new management structure includes long-term TeamTO executives Clélia Santi, head of studios, Paris, Carole Toledo, head of studios, Valence, Jean-Baptiste Spieser, chief technology officer, Olivier Plazas, art director and Fanny Weber, executive producer.
Other key roles include Tara Sibel Demren and Jay Oliva as executive producers and Balsamo as producer, with further creative appointments to be announced in the near future.
“This studio has built a remarkable legacy and we’re committed to ensuring its long-term success,” says Balsamo. “We also want to expand our reach to international partners, strengthen our presence in the global animation industry, and establish TeamTO as a leader in both original content and premium production services.”
Under its new leadership, TeamTO will expand its creative slate, broadening its reach into adult animation and 2D animation. The studio is currently developing “Akira’s Flying Wheelchair,” “Junichiro Jackson,” “Yellow Cello” and the “Sea of Memories, The Adventures of Amir Hamza.”
One of Balsamo’s key initiatives as CEO will be to diversify TeamTO’s production slate, ensuring it remains a competitive force in the industry. He will work closely with Oliva and Demren to develop new projects that push the boundaries of storytelling and visual artistry. Beyond his executive role, Balsamo will take on expanded creative responsibilities, serving as a showrunner, writer, and director across multiple projects.