Hornet, a creative studio with a two-decade legacy in design and animation, has appointed Ben Sharpe to the newly created role of live-action executive producer. This move signifies a strategic expansion of the studio’s production offerings, with Sharpe working primarily out of Hornet’s NYC office.
“As a company with a core focus on cultivating talent, expanding further into mixed media and live action was a logical progression for us, aligning seamlessly with our brand and unlocking avenues for growth. I knew I wanted to identify a leader in this realm to spearhead this development–someone with not only experience and vision but also who resonates with our values,” said Michael Feder, co-founder of Hornet.
Sharpe brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as head of production at London-based adam&eveDDB, where he oversaw all production output from the agency and managed relationships with production partners around the globe. Alongside standout campaigns for PlayStation, John Lewis and EA Games, his production teams were responsible for two of the most highly acclaimed campaigns in recent years, securing the Grand Prix at Cannes in 2023 for CALM’s “The Last Photo,” and a Black Pencil at D&AD in 2022 for Frontline19’s “Hopeline19.”
Before his tenure at adam&eveDDB, Sharpe was an executive producer at Blink Productions, collaborating with directors including Dougal Wilson, Nick Ball, Los Perez, Max Sherman, Björn Rühmann, and The Bobbsey Twins.
Hornet and its directors have a rich history in London, co-producing and co-directing the iconic John Lewis “The Bear and the Hare” Christmas advert for adam&eveDDB, as well as notable collaborations with Uncommon, Lucky Generals, Ogilvy and Leo Burnett. Sharpe’s experience in London further enhances Hornet’s expertise and versatility in the British and European markets.
“I had the privilege of seeing the Hornet directors and studio in action while I was at adam&eveDDB and was struck by the level of craft and love of filmmaking they brought to our projects. Hornet has a rich history of championing artists and directors, making this move into the live action world feel like a natural step,” said Sharpe.
The partnership marks the beginning of an exciting journey for Hornet and Sharpe, aiming to shape the future of production and talent development. Sharpe has already begun extending the studio’s roots and recruiting a next generation of directors.
“As we continue to bring the studio into the live action world, we’ll be approaching every project with the same collaboration and craft that Hornet has had in their DNA for over two decades. I’m excited to work with Michael, Hana [Shimizu, managing partner], Greg [Bedard, managing partner] and the team at Hornet to shape something special, lasting, and forward thinking,” added Sharpe.
