Cobblestone goes to Philipp Schmalriede and Juri Wiesner as Pieter Lony exits
The creative commercial film production founder hands over his shares to the two long-standing shareholders and Managing Directors of Cobblestone Hamburg and Berlin.
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Almost 30 years after Pieter Lony founded German award-winning advertising film production company Cobblestone in 1992, he is now stepping down as a partner.
Philipp Schmalriede and Juri Wiesner, both of whom have been equal partners in the management of Cobblestone for around ten years, will take over Pieter's shares alone and continue to run the Hamburg and Berlin offices after the founder has also gradually withdrawn from day-to-day business over the past two years.
The two Executive Producers intend to restructure Cobblestone and strengthen post-production in addition to the core business of motion picture production, as well as further expand digital and content production. Pieter is stepping out of a solid company with a turnover of EUR 13.4 million (2018) which was ranked 11th in last year's German turnover ranking.
"After more than 40 years in the commercial film business - and almost half a lifetime at Cobblestone - I would like to focus more on my private hobbies and interests now," Pieter explains his move. "But I could also imagine working as a freelance consultant, advising productions and agencies on strategy and production techniques."
Since its start 28 years ago, Cobblestone has been strategically aligned as a creative production company which is being reflected in creative rankings every year and is based on the long-standing and trusting cooperation within the team and with clients, agencies and directors.
Among Cobblestone's established German directors, Joachim Zunke, Cadmo Quintero, Maurus vom Scheidt, and Martin Haerlin are worth mentioning, but also new talents who are supported by Cobblestone such as Fabian Epe. Philipp and Juri intend to intensify talent development again, as well as further expand existing partnerships with international productions such as Pulse (Great Britain), Station Film (USA) and Social Club (Sweden).
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"Despite the current Corona-related crisis situation and the associated 'quasi-stagnation' of our industry, Juri and I are looking ahead with optimism and are also looking forward to further developing, shaping and leading Cobblestone into the future together," says Philipp. "We believe in our team, our directors and of course in agencies and our clients - and in us. Through our love for film and the creativity and passion for what we do, we see ourselves as being prepared for whatever comes along."
Pieter Lony, born in 1956, did an apprenticeship at Interteam Filmproduktion before working as a freelance production manager and producer and finally founding Cobblestone in 1992.
Philipp Schmalriede, born in 1973, first joined Cobblestone more than 16 years ago. After a short excursion to other production companies, he returned in 2006 and later became Executive Producer, shareholder of the company and Managing Director of the Hamburg office.
Juri Wiesner, born 1969, joined Cobblestone in 2008 and later became Executive Producer, shareholder of the company and Managing Director of the Berlin office.
