Aug 28, 2020

Sam registers to lead Cartoon Network Studio, in addition to Warner Bros. Animation

Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) president Sam Register (pictured above), 51, has received a promotion that puts two major L.A. studios under his leadership. In addition to continuing his current role at WBA, Register will also now be the president of sister Warnermedia division Cartoon Network Studios.

In his new role, Register will lead both animation studios as separate entities, but “united by a commitment to creative excellence, new voices, and a culture of inclusion and collaboration.” Combined, the two studios currently produce more than 30 series, including Teen Titans Go! and Looney Tunes Cartoons at WBA, and Craig of the Creek and We Bare Bears at CNS.

Register will report to newly installed Cartoon Network boss Tom Ascheim, whose official title is president, Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics (GKYAC).

In a statement, Ascheim said of Register's promotion: “The legacy of each of these great studios is long, with remarkable contributions to culture and the world of animation. Each embodies vibrant, distinct cultures and missions, and I believe this realignment will enable them to continue to innovate and thrive for new generations of artists and fans. There is no one better to usher in this exciting new period in these studios' history than Sam.”

Register added, “By aligning two of the industry's most powerful animation studios, we will unleash incredible opportunities for artists to flourish and an unprecedented amount of animation for fans to devour. Together we have a shared opportunity to create a new culture of collaboration – one built on both the historic importance of Warner Bros. Animation and the commitment to new original voices that is the trademark of Cartoon Network Studios.”

To make Register's new role possible, Rob Sorcher, who previously served as head of Cartoon Network Studios, will step down from the role. He will segue into an overall production deal with Warner Bros. Television Group, where he'll create both animated and live-action properties.

“We owe Rob a huge debt of gratitude for building the Cartoon Network brand to what it is today, creating a long list of imagination-capturing hit shows,” said Ascheim. “He's one of the most talented executives in our industry, someone who has changed the content game many times over, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next for us.”

In addition, Ascheim has appointed Amy Friedman to assume Sorcher's programming responsibilities for Cartoon Network. Friedman has joined GKYAC as a senior advisor providing creative, strategic, and inclusive programming guidance for the Cartoon Network brand. She reports to Ascheim.

Ed Adams, executive vice president and general manager of Warner Bros. Animation, will now have an expanded role to serve both studios alongside Register, to whom he will continue to report.

Register has served as president of Warner Bros. Animation since April 2014, but he began his animation career with Cartoon Network in 1994 and went on to run Cartoon Network Online, creating the company's first website CartoonNetwork.com in 1998. He has a long history with the network, helping to develop and produce numerous shows including Chowder, Flapjack, Clone Wars, and Ben 10. He currently also runs the Warner Bros. Television Group's digital studio, Blue Ribbon Content, which was formed in 2014 and produces original series and content for digital platforms.

Current series being produced at WBA under Register's leadership include: