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industry leader

in animated

storytelling

for over

twenty years

Guru Studio is a creative-driven entertainment company renowned for creating, developing and producing award-winning hit shows that captivate and inspire kids and families all over the world.

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Historical Timeline

2000

Frank Falcone opens Guru Studio, a new character-driven animation studio in the heart of downtown Toronto. Before the doors even open the studio secures six commercials from international advertising agency Ogilvy and their client Hershey's!

2003

The studio wins the commercial campaign for Kraft Foods “Cheese-a-saurus Rex” ads for their Mac & Cheese product line in the USA. The campaign was so successful it would continue over the next five years!

2006

Guru marks its debut into episodic television! The studio joins forces with Nelvana on five new full episodes of the hit Nickelodeon preschool series The Backyardigans!

2009

Production begins on Guru's first original series, Justin Time! The show would launch on Disney Junior in Canada, Sprout in the US, and in more than one hundred countries around the world!

2010

Guru goes global! At MIPCOM, the studio launches a Distribution arm and makes its first international sales of Justin Time!

2012

Guru is ready for action! In partnership with Spin Master and Nickelodeon, Guru starts production on the first ever season of the hit series PAW Patrol!

2013

Guru's first international co-production! Dinopaws, a new a 52 x 11 minute preschool series is greenlit by Canadian broadcaster Treehouse and UK broadcaster CBeebies.

2014

Production begins on Ever After High, a brand new series from the creators of Monster High and Guru's first full 2D series! The studio now over 150 people outgrows its space and takes over two additional floors in its downtown Toronto office!

2015

It's a wish come TRUE! Netflix greenlits Guru's newest original preschool series, True and the Rainbow Kingdom!

2016

Guru announces it has joined its first animated feature, The Breadwinner, co-produced by Cartoon Saloon and Aircraft Pictures.

2017

The Breadwinner is released to audiences around the world and is nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the Oscars! True and the Rainbow Kingdom premieres at a celebrity packed launch event in Los Angeles. Executive Producer Pharrell Williams is in attendance!

2018

Special delivery! Guru delivers its 2D original series Pikwik Pack to Disney Junior US and Hulu! The show would go on to inspire a line of toys and books by Scholastic!

2019

CBC Kids dives into Big Blue, greenlighting Guru's newest original underwater comedy adventure!

2020

Netflix orders more True and the Rainbow Kingdom which includes holiday specials, fairy tale shorts and music videos! A line of toys, books, costumes and other consumer products launch globally!

2021

Guru is tapped by Sesame Workshop to bring to life the Sesame Street animated spin-off, Mecha Builders! The show follows Cookie Monster, Elmo and Abby as giant CG robots!

2022

Ten years of PAW Patrol! Guru celebrates its decade long collaboration with Spin Master and Nickelodeon as Season 10 starts airing around the world!

2023

Guru's first creative collaboration with Moonbug Entertainment to bring their widely popular YouTube hit to life in premium CG! My Magic Pet Morphle would launch the following year on Disney+ and Disney Junior!

the

Team

  • Frank Falcone

    President | Executive Creative Director

  • Laura Dundas

    VP of Production

  • Yurie Rocha

    Creative Director, Technology

  • Lauren Leinburd

    SVP of Business Affairs & General Counsel

  • Andrew Strimaitis

    Animation Director

  • Babita Jassal

    VP of People & Culture

  • Daniel Rattner

    VP of Brand Strategy and Growth

  • Jasmine Gard

    VP of Finance

  • Brandon James Scott

    Creative Director, Design

  • Matt Jones

    VP of Technology

  • Sue Jung

    Head of Talent Acquisition

  • Dave Padbury

    Development Executive

  • Kwan Ho Lee

    Controller

  • Kathleen Turner

    Senior Marketing Manager

  • Chris Bobinski

    Studio Assets Director

  • Bryan Huo

    Workflow Design Process Engineer

  • Elizabeth Barr

    Business Affairs Manager

  • Julie Chivers

    Contracts Manager

  • Sarah McDonald

    People & Culture + Community Engagement Manager

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