P. Jayakumar

CEO, Toonz Media Group

A distinguished figure and a much-admired thought leader in the media and entertainment industry, P. Jayakumar has spearheaded the success story of one of Asia’s most pioneering animation studios – Toonz Media Group. Joining Toonz as the Chief Finance Officer, Mr Jayakumar went on to take additional responsibility as the Chief Operating Officer before taking up the reins of the organization as CEO in 2003. Under his inspirational leadership, Toonz expanded from its home ground in India, growing its global footprint, diversifying business, and making strategic international acquisitions, such as the Spanish distribution company Imira and Ireland-based studio Telegael. Today, Toonz has emerged as a global force in kids and family entertainment, and a one-stop-shop for content production, distribution, and digital media exploitation.

An inspirational and visionary leader, Mr Jayakumar has an exceptional track record in building partnerships with considerable gravitas. He provides strategic leadership and direction to the organization, as well as to the industry at large. Named as one of the top twenty ‘toontitans’ in Asia by Animation Magazine, Mr Jayakumar has been the co-executive producer for many award-winning animated television shows, feature films and DVDs released for media production houses such as Walt Disney, Marvel Studios, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studio’s, Lions Gate, Hallmark, BBC, Sony Entertainment and Cartoon Network.

Mr Jayakumar is a member of the prestigious International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He has also been the jury member at the elite Emmy Award panel. Besides this, Mr Jayakumar also holds several important roles in government and quasi-government agencies, institutions and trade bodies in India. He is a member of the National Committee on Media and Entertainment of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) as well as the Entertainment Committee of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), both leading confederations of business organizations in India. He is also the president of Society of AVGC Institutions in Kerala (SAIK) and a member of the Governing Council of Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC).