Thinkwell Group Appoints Hugues Sweeney President of Thinkwell Studio Montréal Thinkwell Group, a global experience design and production agency with studios and offices in Los Angeles, Beijing, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Montréal, announces the hiring of Montréal-based creative executive Hugues Sweeney as president of Thinkwell Studio Montréal. The appointment reaffirms the organization's commitment to Montréal, Québec, and Canada for long-term growth and continues Thinkwell's focus in the development of cutting-edge creative technologies for brands and businesses around the world. "Our global projects demand the highest level of both creative execution and technology-driven design and development, and we believe that Montréal is a strong differentiator for Thinkwell in these pursuits," said François Bergeron, chief operating and financial officer, Thinkwell Group. "Bringing Hugues into the organization will allow the company to strategically implement our long-term vision in Montréal." In this role, Sweeney will bring in new creative projects for museums, attractions, corporate brand experiences, and hospitality clients through Thinkwell Studio Montréal. He will also oversee the research and development initiatives of Réalisations-Montréal, which was acquired by Thinkwell Group in early 2019. Réalisations will continue its commitment to the conception and development of new projects using technologies like artificial intelligence, real-time generative projection technologies, and big data integration systems under Sweeney's leadership. "This appointment signals the next chapter for Réalisations," said Roger Parent, founder of Réalisations-Montréal. "Hugues' creative leadership and expertise will build upon our existing foundation as a boutique creative technology firm." Last month, the team in Montréal delivered the interactive and captivating nighttime nature experience at the Parc Omega safari park in Montebello, Quebec, Canada, which follows the team's significant role in the design and execution of the award-winning Jacques-Cartier Bridge illumination project in 2017. Thinkwell and Réalisations also collaborated on the Warner Bros. Cinema Spectacular, which introduced a patented auto-calibration projection system for the world's-first 360-degree immersive indoor plaza show at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi in 2018. Sweeney is an award-winning digital media executive who has produced trailblazing interactive experiences for more than 20 years. Formerly head of Bande à part (CBC's digital native music platform) and a founding member of National Film Board (NFB) digital studio, his experience connecting large audiences through new media platforms and interactivity has led to the development of multiple projects and partnerships across Europe, North America, and South America. His productions have received more than 150 global awards and distinctions, including SXSW, Webby, Japan Media Arts, Creative Review, and NUMIX. As an active member of the arts and culture community, Sweeney serves as vice president of Montréal Arts Council (CAM) board of trustees and co-president of Culture Montréal's digital committee. He also advises the Montréal Symphonic Orchestra (OSM), XN Québec and La Piscine and is an active member of the Acquisition Committee of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC). "I am honored to contribute to the new life of a studio that has been a pioneer in crafting interactive environments," said Sweeney. "Thinkwell's presence in Montréal will play a key role in redefining collective experiences around the world through the creative application of technology, and I am excited to lead the Montréal teams into this next chapter." 
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