[EXCLUSIVE] In conversation with Marco Balsamo: TeamTO’s New Chapter

Having co-founded RIVA Studios in 2022, Balsamo’s experience includes serving as the Chief Creative Officer of MSV Pictures, an Indonesian animation studio, where he sharpened his skills and solidified his commitment to the industry.

With the recent acquisition of TeamTO, Balsamo embarks on a bold new chapter as he and co-founder Tara Sibel Demren seek to redefine the animation landscape. Their venture is characterised by a commitment to quality and collaboration, as they aim to foster sustainable practices within the industry while navigating the challenges it faces.

How does the recent acquisition of TeamTO expand your range of activities and projects?

Acquiring TeamTO presented a unique opportunity. We didn’t have to build something from scratch, as TeamTO already had an established, solid pipeline and workflow, one of the strongest in Europe. This acquisition allowed us to build on a foundation we already knew, while continuing the legacy of the studio that has been around for 20 years. On the other hand, it also provided the perfect platform for us to introduce our IPs and visions for animation—how we want it to be and the stories we want to tell. That was a significant factor in our decision to proceed with the acquisition.

The acquisition was announced at the beginning of the year. What stage are you currently at regarding the transition, particularly from a production and project perspective?

We’re still navigating the transition phase. Financially, we are finalising payments to the French courts and ensuring everything is set up properly.

In terms of productions, fortunately, none of the on-going projects experienced interruptions during the acquisition process, so we are currently working on three series: Jade Armor Season 2, Angelo Rules Season 6, and Season 2 of Creature Cases, which we’re producing in collaboration with Sony Kids and Netflix. As we deliver these productions, we’re actively working to expedite the development of several new projects. We’re particularly excited about our animated project, What’s Up Eesha??, which we hope to get greenlit in the coming months. It’s a co-production with Maga Animation Studio in Monza, Italy, and Umedia in Belgium. This project marks an exciting new chapter for TeamTO as it is the first we are producing in this new “era”.

TeamTO has been divided into three distinct entities: TeamTO Films, TeamTO Technology, and TeamTO Animation. Could you share your thoughts behind this decision?

It’s a strategic move. We believe that separating these entities allows each to focus on their core strengths. The primary reason for dividing the companies into three was to create an anti-fragile structure. When TeamTO experienced bankruptcy, everything was under one umbrella, leading to a total collapse. If that had happened again, we would have lost 20 years of research, development, and technology. Our aim was to maximise safety and security, especially in the worst-case scenarios.

Additionally, the mission statements of all three companies are vastly different. TeamTO Animation will serve as our studio, TeamTO Films will manage our catalogue, and TeamTO Technology will develop our proprietary software, which we will be unveiling at Annecy.

As you embark on this new journey, what are your medium-term expectations, especially by the end of the year?

Our immediate goal is to effectively manage the transition, as it’s quite a challenging phase. Navigating the complexities of the industry and instilling confidence among the team is crucial. It’s imperative that we focus on sustainability during this hectic period, working to ensure a smooth and successful transition into our new chapter, and to merge the strengths of both the RIVA and TeamTO teams into one cohesive unit. Additionally, we’re focused on building partnerships with new collaborators to further strengthen our team and capabilities.

We are currently transitioning to a new brick-and-mortar location and are in the midst of construction on our new studio in Paris. We plan to have a grand opening on June 6th.  In the next three months, we aim to have our new headquarters in Paris ready. Additionally, we are planning to enhance and renovate our Valance location. We’re focusing on both construction and real estate, ensuring that the financing and economic strategies we implement will sustain the company for not just one year, but ideally for the next five to ten years.