Jason Mayo joins Chimney North America as COO

Prior to joining Chimney, Jason was the Managing Director and Partner of the award-winning NYC Digital Media Studio, Click 3X. His innate drive and expertise for expansion helped grow the studio from a 20 person VFX boutique to a fully integrated digital production company with over 75 full-time employees of designers, animators, live-action directors, producers, developers, editors, colorists, and VFX artists. Jason adds, “Whether it's cultivating new business or recruiting talent, I've always liked building things and seeing them grow. I love that Chimney is an established powerhouse brand in the production and effects arena–––but their NY and LA offices are fairly new, so it is also appealing to have the opportunity to grow the business while still having the muscle and firepower of Sweden and the other offices. We’re building something together here, but not starting from scratch.”

The Chimney Group’s recent foray into the North American market includes the opening of studios in New York and Los Angeles and the hiring of over 35 people, including the recent addition of Chief Client Officer Kristen Martini. Jason will work closely with North American CEO Marcelo Gandola to bring the Swedish operational and creative model to the States, delivering brand strategy as well as full-service production and post-production capabilities to multiple verticals.

“The work we are doing for our clients is increasingly global and full-service in nature,” says Marcelo Gandola, CEO for North America. “Jason has a great track record building companies and is an ideal operational leader for us to build a team to serve Chimney’s global clientele in the US market.” 

Chimney has also recently added sales representation in three US markets, signing with HERO MGMT’s Harrison Elkins to handle representation on the West Coast, Helen O’Brien to rep the company in the Midwest, and Meredith Machial of Liaison who will represent the company in Texas.