by FilmInk Staff
Queensland-based studio strengthens financial leadership as it scales production, expands IP ownership and targets greater participation in global sales and distribution revenue.
Jaggi Entertainment has appointed experienced finance executive Andre Lawson as Chief Financial Officer, signalling a strategic step in the company’s evolution as it accelerates growth across film and television production.
The appointment comes as the Queensland-based studio sharpens its focus on disciplined capital deployment, with an emphasis on increasing participation in sales and distribution revenue, strengthening ownership of locally generated intellectual property, and creating greater opportunities for Australian talent on the global stage.
As a Queenslander, Lawson brings back to his home state extensive experience across corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, and capital management, with a strong track record supporting high-growth businesses. He will lead Jaggi Entertainment’s financial strategy, governance and operational performance as the company continues to scale its production slate and international footprint.
The move reflects a broader shift within the business to align financial architecture with creative ambition, ensuring that investments are deployed with long-term value creation in mind. This includes building internal capability to better retain downstream revenues and enhancing the company’s ability to finance, produce and distribute content at scale.
Prior to joining Jaggi Entertainment, Lawson held senior finance roles at Netflix, KPMG & the Queensland Audit Office where he drove operational efficiencies and supported large-scale business transformation. He brings deep expertise in the Australian screen sector, including tax incentives, funding structures and international co-productions, positioning the company to maximise opportunities across domestic and global markets.
Jaggi Entertainment CEO Steve Jaggi said the appointment marked a critical inflection point for the business. “Andre’s appointment is a deliberate step as we evolve from a high-volume production company into a more vertically integrated studio that can participate more meaningfully across the value chain,” Mr Jaggi said.
“We’re focused on deploying capital in a way that not only supports production, but also builds long-term enterprise value through IP ownership and increased participation in sales and distribution. That ultimately allows us to reinvest into Australian stories, back local talent, and ensure that more of the economic benefit of our industry is retained here in Queensland and across Australia.
“As we continue to grow our slate and expand internationally, having strong financial leadership is critical to underpinning that ambition with rigour, discipline and credibility.”
Screen Queensland CEO, Jacqui Feeney said, “Jaggi Entertainment’s continued growth shows how Queensland screen businesses are turning strategic support from our Business Enterprise fund into long-term capability.
“Experienced financial leadership is vital for companies looking to scale, realise the value of homegrown intellectual property and compete on the world stage. This kind of strategic investment is helping build a stronger and more globally competitive screen industry for Queensland.”
Chief Financial Officer Andre Lawson said he was focused on building the financial structures to support the company’s next phase of growth. “I am very excited to have joined Jaggi Entertainment at such a dynamic stage of its growth, The company has a clear vision to deliver compelling, commercially successful content, and I look forward to strengthening the financial foundations that support that ambition. There is a significant opportunity to scale, and I’m focused on ensuring we have the right structures in place to support sustainable, long-term growth.”
Jaggi Entertainment’s expansion comes amid continued momentum in Queensland’s screen sector, with the state increasingly recognised as a competitive production hub for both domestic and international projects. The company’s growing slate reflects a strategic balance of commercial viability and creative development, supported by evolving financing models and market-driven distribution strategies.
ABOUT JAGGI ENTERTAINMENT Jaggi Entertainment is a forward-facing film and television studio with a global outlook. From the hit romantic feature Love is in the Air, the Royal in Paradise franchise, the Netflix original Y.A series Dive Club and the high-stakes creature thriller Killer Whale – the studio tells stories that resonate with audiences worldwide. Jaggi Entertainment’s slate spans feature films and television series, with titles licensed broadly across international broadcasters, streamers, and distributors. With a vertically integrated structure—encompassing development, finance, production, post-production, and distribution—Jaggi Entertainment streamlines the journey from a creative spark to a global audience’s screen. This integrated approach allows the studio to move quickly, adapt to shifting market needs, and consistently deliver premium stories. We know our audience, and continually strive to inspire them in new ways.
Image: (from left) Andre Lawson (CFO), Kylie Pascoe (Vice President/Producer), Steve Jaggi (CEO/Producer). Photo by David Fell.
