Jonathan Dern

As a former studio executive who has spearheaded television, direct-to-video, feature films, commercials and interactive properties simultaneously, Jonathan Dern has certainly led an impressive career in the animation industry. Dern has co-founded SD Entertainment (SD) with the highly respected animation executive Paul Sabella.

As a global strategic and business visionary, Dern is forging SD's efforts as the premiere property launcher in enhancing, re-branding and developing global intellectual properties. At SD, Dern forms strategic alliances with a diverse array of entities including studios, broadcast and cable networks and Internet program providers. Previously, as one of the principal founders of MGM Animation, Dern spearheaded the companies' efforts in syndicated series, direct-to-video releases and long and short form theatrical releases. Dern, along with long-time partner and co-founder of MGM Animation, Paul Sabella, have become one of the most respected teams in animation today. Their credits are extensive, including All Dogs Go to Heaven (television series and theatrical release), Robocop: Alpha Commando, The Lionhearts, Tom Sawyer, Babes In Toyland, The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy To The Rescue and The Pebble and the Penguin . Specialty projects include the video series MGM Sing-Alongs; IBM million game seller The Adventures of Hyperman ; hit direct-to-video shorts The Rainbow Fish and Dazzle The Dinosaur ; and Time Warner's six-video series, The Beginner's Bible.

Before teaming with Sabella, Dern was an Associate Producer at DIC Enterprises/Rainforest Entertainment, where producer credits included many well-known and popular animated series. Earlier in his career, Dern worked at Imagine Entertainment and Universal Pictures. He began his career as a Motion Picture Literary department assistant at the William Morris Agency.