Jinu Chacko
Global Service Delivery Head
Akhila: Dear Mr.Jinu Chacko, a warm welcome to Toonz Media Group. We are delighted to have you as the new Global Service Delivery Head. It would be our pleasure to know you better, and coordinate with you. Is coming to the media and entertainment industry a big change for you?
Jinu Chacko: Change is the only constant, and I am an ardent fan of Japanese philosophy, especially Kintsugi. I believe that sometimes we must break ourselves and put ourselves back together to evolve. I have been managing people, processes, and clients across a wide range of industries; however, animation and entertainment are new domains for me. I believe the fundamentals of my role remain largely the same, and I will be able to leverage my past management experience to add value to the business.
Akhila: You have joined Toonz in a milestone year. How do you feel, being a part of an organisation that is celebrating Silver Jubilee?
Jinu Chacko: In the wise words of Robert Frost, "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep." Celebrating 25 years of thriving in a hyper-competitive market is a remarkable achievement. With exceptional leaders at the helm and dedicated teams on the front lines, the future looks incredibly promising. I am truly excited to be part of Toonz on this momentous occasion.
Akhila: You said you are very interested in arts. Which is the art form that you can most relate to yourself? Also, are you a sports person too?
Jinu Chacko: Art gives me a sense of tranquillity and perspective. I love the Kanji calligraphy, and I love paintings. One of my favourites is The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. I am a big fan of Midjourney AI and its art creating capabilities, and I have been exploring it for quite some time now.
Akhila: You are giving a lot of references to Japan. How did you get introduced to the country and the Japanese culture?
Jinu Chacko: From a young age, I have been reading about Japan's transformation post-World War II, and I believe that it is a strong-willed, disciplined, and resilient nation. I am also a big fan of their anime creations. Japan has also been a long-term ally of India since Subhas Chandra Bose and is a member of QUAD, which gives me more reason to appreciate their culture.
Akhila: Where are you from in Kerala, Tell us more about your family?
Jinu Chacko: I hail from Thiruvalla. My family consists of my better half, Priya, and our baby girl, Esther. As a family, we like to travel the world and explore new places and cuisines.
Akhila: How do you think, you can bring about a change in Toonz for its betterment?
Jinu Chacko: To drive positive change at Toonz, particularly in service delivery, my focus will be on streamlining workflows, enhancing communication, and embracing new technologies. By optimizing our processes using LEAN methodologies, we can make project management more efficient and ensure timely deliveries. A client-focused approach, combined with regular feedback incorporation, will allow us to build long-term relationships and increase customer lifetime value. Additionally, I plan to leverage data analytics to accelerate turnaround times and improve resource allocation.
Rathan Sam George
Chief Marketing Officer
Akhila: You have had a long career in Toonz. You have literally grown with the company. How do you feel when you take up the new role as Chief Marketing Officer?
Rathan Sam George:
Taking on the role of Chief Marketing Officer at Toonz after such a long and fulfilling career feels both exciting and deeply meaningful. Having been with the company for many years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing its growth and evolution. Now, stepping into a role I had first embraced in 2018, I’m eager to contribute in an even more impactful way. There’s a great sense of pride in being part of an organization where I’ve grown alongside its projects, its people, and its vision. Business development is about understanding the core of what we do and sharing that passion with the world. I believe my longstanding connection with Toonz gives me a unique perspective that blends creativity and strategy. This new chapter feels like the culmination of everything I’ve learned, positioning me to further elevate Toonz and expand its global reach. I’m looking forward to working on fresh strategies, promoting the innovative content we produce, and building partnerships that align with our values. It’s both a personal and professional milestone, and I’m excited for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Akhila: How does your work change when you take up this new role. Are you excited to take up the new challenges?
Rathan Sam George:
Taking on the role of Chief Marketing Officer marks a significant transition from my previous focus on creative direction, animation production, and content development. My new responsibilities will now involve a broader, strategic approach, directly influencing how we position Toonz on the global stage. In this role, I’ll be moving away from the day-to-day creative and production tasks to spearheading the overall development of business strategies, including branding, partner relations, and global outreach. It’s about translating our creative vision into compelling narratives that resonate with audiences, partners, and collaborators worldwide. I’ll also be heavily involved in driving co-production ventures, exploring new international markets, and finding innovative ways to elevate Toonz as an industry leader. The key shift will be the focus on outward-facing strategies—understanding audience preferences, identifying market trends, and exploring opportunities for growth through marketing and partnerships. While I’ll continue to work closely with the creative teams, my role will centre more on building the platforms and opportunities to showcase their work, ensuring our projects receive the global attention they deserve. I’m truly excited to embrace these new challenges. It’s a unique opportunity to blend my extensive experience in the creative sector with a more business-driven perspective. Marketing today is ever evolving, shaped by digital platforms and global trends, and I’m eager to introduce fresh ideas, craft impactful strategies, and help propel Toonz’s growth in new directions. The challenge of navigating this shift energizes me, and I’m looking forward to fully embracing this next chapter.
Akhila: This is a milestone year for the company. As you take up a more demanding role, what will be your top priorities?
Rathan Sam George:
As I take on the role of Chief Marketing Officer during this milestone year for Toonz, my top priorities will be centered around driving the company's growth, strengthening our brand’s global presence, and ensuring that we continue to produce and deliver top-tier content across markets. -One of my primary goals will be to further establish Toonz as a global leader in the animation and entertainment industry. We have a rich history, and now it’s time to amplify our visibility across international markets. I’ll focus on crafting a clear and compelling brand narrative that highlights our legacy, innovation, and unique value in the industry. -Co-productions have been a significant aspect of our success, and expanding these partnerships will be a key priority. I plan to focus on building strong relationships with international studios, broadcasters, and streaming platforms to co-create content that resonates with diverse audiences globally. Ensuring Toonz remains a trusted partner for high-quality, collaborative ventures is essential to our continued growth. -As the entertainment landscape evolves, digital platforms and new markets offer huge potential. I want to focus on identifying key emerging markets and strategically positioning Toonz across digital platforms. Whether through OTT services, gaming, or interactive media, we need to explore all avenues where our content can thrive and reach wider audiences. -In this rapidly evolving industry, staying ahead of trends will be vital. I’ll focus on integrating the latest industry innovations—whether it’s advancements in animation technology, new storytelling formats, or audience engagement methods—into our business development strategies. These priorities reflect the demands of my new role and the opportunities that lie ahead for Toonz in this milestone year. I’m excited to take on the challenges and confident that by focusing on these areas, we can propel Toonz to even greater success globally.
Akhila: What do you think are the areas that Toonz should pay more attention to accelerate growth?
Rathan Sam George:
The animation landscape is evolving rapidly. To stay ahead, Toonz must embrace innovation and take bold risks. We must experiment with interactive narratives and immersive experiences. Imagine animations where audiences can influence the story, explore different paths, and connect with characters on a deeper level. Collaborate with tech startups and creative minds from outside the animation industry. This will bring fresh perspectives and cutting-edge technologies to our work. Explore how AI can enhance our production process while maintaining the human touch that makes animation special. For example, AI could help with background generation or character animation. Beyond traditional TV and films, consider virtual reality experiences, and interactive games. These formats offer new opportunities to engage audiences and monetize our content. Build a strong online presence and foster a global community of fans. Encourage user-generated content, fan-driven initiatives, and interactive events to deepen engagement. Offer training in emerging technologies and encourage our artist to explore new ideas. By embracing these bold strategies, Toonz can position itself as a pioneer in the animation industry, shaping the future of storytelling and capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide.
