Hinge Announces Growth & Expansion With New VR Division & Team Hires

Hinge Announces Growth & Expansion With New VR Division & Team Hires

Hinge, a boutique 3D visual effects and animation studio based in Portland, OR has hired Amy Hassler Jacobson to handle overall sales and marketing strategy for the company. Hassler Jacobson’s background includes a stint as Executive Producer and Head of Sales for Rhythm + Hues in Los Angeles, where she helped shape the advertising division of the Academy award winning VFX/animation studio and provided oversight on campaigns for Geico, Electronic Arts, Mercedes Benz, and other notable brands. She has also worked for animation studios LAIKA and ReelFX/Radium during other points in her career.

“Amy brings a killer one-two punch to new business development, combining her deep animation industry and production knowledge with direct client brand experience. That combo is key to support Hinge’s continued growth,” states Roland Gauthier, Executive Producer. “She has an uncanny ability to uncover partnership opportunities, matching client needs with Hinge’s production capabilities.”

“It’s an exciting time to be a part of Hinge” adds Hassler Jacobson. “I was impressed with the caliber of their work on projects for Toonami with Adult Swim and with brands like Microsoft, Nike, Bayer and others. The Hinge founders are involved in every production, resulting in strong capabilities in character animation, photo-real visual effects and motion graphics and design. All those things aren’t easy to find in one shop. Hinge has also been actively involved in the VR (Virtual Reality) space, a rapidly emerging technology.”

The move represents a number of changes Hinge is making to support the studio’s continued growth. This year the company will undergo a rebrand, changing the name from “Hinge Digital” to “Hinge” and will be expanding their already existing VR capabilities with the addition of a dedicated VR content development division. The VR division is being established in response to increased client demand and interest in the application of VR for advertising projects, live branded events, consumer education and tradeshows. The studio is also branching into more narrative long form work as well, working on content development with Cartoon Network and other partners.

As part of the new division, Hinge has also welcomed aboard Dimitri Reuse, Senior Director and 3D Designer in VR/AR. Dimitri brings over a decade of experience with design consultancies to the role, as well as a passion for emerging technologies that blend art, science and technology. As Reuse notes, “We make magic in VR. The medium offers an innate playfulness and immersive storytelling capability that is unprecedented. With it, we can create lasting emotional connections, and even new memories. It is very powerful.”

“We are only just beginning to scratch the surface and to reveal the true potential for VR in brand identity and communications,” Gauthier acknowledged. “Our goal is to bring our team’s rich storytelling experience and animation artistry from television, film & commercial production into truly memorable and effective VR experiences.”

 

Hinge celebrates its growth and success along with the studio’s 8 year anniversary this March, and will co-host an Open House with 3DV as part of Design Week Portland, on April 26 4-7pm, featuring the studio’s VR experiences in VIVE. For more information and for tickets, go here.  

The public is welcome to stop by and meet the new members of the team, experiment hands-on with VR technology and participate in prize giveaways and other events.

 

Media coverage:

SourceCreative

 

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