In Memoriam: Claus Tomming, CEO of Animaccord

It is with profound sadness that Animaccord announces the unexpected passing of its Chief Executive Officer, Claus Tomming.

During his time with the company, Claus led Animaccord through a period of transformation, elevating it to new creative heights. Among his most significant milestones was pioneering the studio’s move into 22-minute Specials within the Masha and the Bear universe, an evolution marked by the release of three mini-movies: “The Legend of the 12 Months”, “Say Cheese!”, and “Wonder Park”.

These Specials introduced a fresh storytelling format for the brand and achieved exceptional success across platforms and markets. They saw high demand on global VOD platforms like Netflix and were released theatrically in over 40 countries, the franchise’s largest cinema rollout to date.

Under Claus’s leadership, Animaccord doubled its production efforts, increasing the volume of content, driven by his strategic vision and unwavering commitment to meeting growing global demand and sustaining the franchise’s success.

Prior to joining Animaccord in 2020, Claus spent over 20 years as Managing Partner at INK Group, a global brand-building agency, where he and his team led efforts to develop animated content such as Zafari, an original series aimed at global audiences, and managed media across the full content lifecycle. Moreover, at INK, under Claus’s management, they oversaw international licensed development of such IPs as The Smurfs, Trolls, and other globally beloved animated brands.

The entire Animaccord team extends its heartfelt condolences to Claus’s family, colleagues, and partners. His legacy, both at Animaccord and within the wider entertainment industry, will be remembered with deep respect. Beyond his professional achievements, Claus will be missed for his passion, and integrity he brought to everyone around him.+