Troublemakers

What Troublemakers does

Troublemakers is an independent, privately held animation studio headquartered at 46 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin in Paris, founded in 2008 by James Hagger. The studio produces bespoke animated advertising films and 360° brand campaigns for enterprise clients, with three core service lines: 2D animated advertising films, 3D animated advertising films, and stop motion/claymation productions. Its work spans concept development, art direction, storyboarding, animation, VFX, compositing, and post-production including sound design and color grading, delivered by a core team of roughly 10-15 staff in Paris supplemented by an international bench of freelance directors (Burcu & Geoffrey, Trizz, Mate Steinforth, Alexandre Scalvino, Scott Benson, Luca & Sinem, Onur Senturk) sourced from markets including Milan.

The studio serves a predominantly enterprise B2B client base across luxury jewelry (Van Cleef & Arpels, multi-season Alhambra campaigns), gaming (Riot Games / League of Legends), automotive (Renault Twingo Electric), FMCG (Nestlé Optifibre), telecommunications (Orange), HR/tech (Welcome to the Jungle), and NGO/non-profit (Amnesty International, WWF, Josephine Hart Foundation). Go-to-market is direct engagement with brand marketing teams intermediated through major advertising agencies (Marcel, Mazarine, Ogilvy, Publicis Conseil). Revenue is generated via project-based production fees for one-time-licensed animated films and integrated 360° campaign deliverables (OOH/DOOH, press, packaging, print, gifting events, visual merchandising). The Troublemakers group also encompasses sister entities JACKFLASH (brand entertainment/documentary), STATIQUE (live-action), and TROUBLEMAKERS ORIGINALS (TV & film), positioning the parent brand within a broader content production ecosystem.

The studio's commercial moat rests on craft reputation and award pedigree (Cannes Lions, Cristal Festival, One Show, Clio, Epica, Eurobest, Andy, Red Dot, New York Festivals, Spikes Asia across 2009-2016), an elite director network, and deep agency relationships rather than proprietary technology. Notable outcomes include 10M+ views within one week for Riot Games' 'The Light Within' and recurring six-campaign engagement with Van Cleef & Arpels. The firm is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, parent company, or funding rounds in the source material.

Name

Troublemakers

Legal name

TROUBLEMAKERS

Website

https://troublemakers.tv

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Troublemakers is a Paris-based independent animation studio founded in 2008 that produces bespoke 2D, 3D, and stop motion animated advertising films and 360° campaigns for enterprise clients across luxury, gaming, automotive, and consumer goods, delivered through agency and direct brand partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animation Production Services

NAICS

Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (71151)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)

akta.pro primary industry

VFX & Motion Graphics (CGI, Compositing, 2D/3D) (MPAAAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motion Graphics & Animation (BPAFAIAD), VFX Production & Supervision (2D/3D, Compositing, FX, CG) (MPADAHAA), 2D Character Animation (MPAHACAA)

Keywords

• Animated advertising films
• 2D animation production
• 3D animation production
• Stop motion films
• Brand storytelling campaigns

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Animated Advertising Film Production: Production of bespoke animated advertising films and campaigns for brands. Revenue generated through project-based production fees for TV commercials, digital content, social media animations, and branded films. Pricing varies by project scope, animation technique (2D, 3D, stop motion), duration, and campaign requirements.
2. 360° Campaign Production: Integrated campaign production including OOH/DOOH, press, packaging, print, gifting events, and visual merchandising content alongside core animated films

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Troublemakers is a Paris-based animation studio producing bespoke animated advertising films for brands and agencies, specializing in 2D animation, 3D animation, stop motion, and claymation. The studio delivers full production pipelines from concept and art direction through animation, VFX, compositing, sound design, and post-production, and also executes integrated 360° campaigns including OOH/DOOH, press, packaging, print, gifting events, and visual merchandising content.

Product overview

Troublemakers is a Paris-based animation studio founded in 2008, offering three core animation production services: 2D animated advertising films, 3D animated advertising films, and Stop Motion/Claymation films. The studio works with international directors and artists to produce high-end animated content for advertising campaigns, short films, and branded entertainment. Their portfolio includes branded campaign series such as the Alhambra campaign for Van Cleef & Arpels (featuring Winter, Noël, Automne, Breeze, and Ramadan campaigns), The Obvious Match campaign series for Welcome to the Jungle, The Light Within for Riot Games, Amazon for Nestlé Optifibre, Renault Twingo Electric campaign, and independent short films like Casse Croûte and High Windows de Philip Larkin.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 2D Animated Advertising Films (Film publicitaire 2D) Custom 2D animated advertising films combining traditional drawing, motion design, digital illustration, and frame-by-frame animation. Each project is designed as a complete narrative device aligned with brand objectives, serving brands seeking bespoke 2D animated advertising content.
• 3D Animated Advertising Films (Film publicitaire 3D) 3D animated advertising films using cinematic-quality rendering, lighting, modeling, texturing, and VFX. Productions include TV spots, luxury brand films, and social media content, designed for clients requiring high-end 3D brand storytelling.
• Stop Motion & Claymation Films Handcrafted stop motion and claymation advertising films with physical sets, puppets, and props filmed frame-by-frame on set with cinematic lighting and VFX integration. Targeted at brands seeking distinctive artisanal animation content.
• Alhambra Campaign Series (Van Cleef & Arpels) Bespoke animated campaign series for Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra collection featuring Winter, Noël (Christmas), Automne (Autumn), Breeze, and Ramadan campaigns using 3D animation with 2D tactile textures.
• The Light Within (Riot Games) 3-minute 3D animated promotional film for League of Legends featuring Lux character skins, combining 3D scanning and animation with cinematic staging for video game brand advertising; reached 10 million+ views within one week of release.
• The Obvious Match Campaign Series (Welcome to the Jungle) Animated advertising campaign series for Welcome to the Jungle featuring retro-style 2D animations with international illustrators, including 'Rétro & Sapin' and 'Pizza & Ananas' campaigns for OOH, DOOH, and press distribution.
• Amazon (Nestlé Optifibre) Mixed-media animated advertising film for Nestlé Optifibre combining 3D animation with 2D finishing and textures in a fantasy-inspired aesthetic, delivered as a 360° campaign across TV, OOH/DOOH, press, packaging, print, and visual merchandising.
• Renault Twingo Electric Campaign Animated advertising film for Renault Twingo Electric combining 2D and 3D animation techniques to modernize the iconic 1993 campaign for the electric vehicle launch.
• La Fleur / Toor Toor (Orange) Valentine's Day animated advertising film for Orange Afrique using minimalist 2D animation with geometric shapes, flat colors, and textured surfaces.
• Casse Croûte / Snack Time (Animated Short Film) Animated short film by Burcu & Geoffrey depicting forest creatures in a whimsical, tactile style blending 2D illustration and 3D animation with intricate textures.
• High Windows de Philip Larkin (Poetry Movement Series) Animated short film for the Josephine Hart Poetry Foundation exploring the boundary between life and death through 3D animation, part of The Poetry Movement series.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 million+ views within one week for Riot Games League of Legends campaign
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• JACKFLASHminorOthersSister company/subsidiary within the Troublemakers group. JACKFLASH focuses on brand content, brand entertainment, and brand savoir-faire production, serving different content needs within the same corporate family.
• TROUBLEMAKERS ORIGINALSminorOthersSister company within the Troublemakers group focused on original content and TV & film production.
• STATIQUEminorOthersSister company within the Troublemakers group, mentioned alongside other group studios.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nexus Studios: London-based Nexus Studios is an animation and film production company producing advertising, short films, and interactive content with a focus on craft and director-led work. Closely comparable to Troublemakers in scale, craft ethos, and luxury/brand client base.
• Psyop: Psyop is a globally recognized animation and directing studio that produces character-driven CG and mixed-media advertising films. Direct competitor to Troublemakers in the bespoke animated advertising space with a comparable international director model.
• Buck: Buck is a design-driven animation and motion graphics studio producing advertising, brand films, and content campaigns for global brands. Highly comparable to Troublemakers in the 2D/3D animated advertising production niche serving enterprise and luxury clients.
• Aardman Animations: Aardman is a world-leading stop motion and animation studio with a long track record in advertising, short films, and branded entertainment. Direct peer to Troublemakers in the stop motion advertising sub-niche and a comparable craft-led boutique.
• Mikros Animation: Mikros Animation is a Paris- and Montreal-based animation studio producing feature films, episodic content, and advertising. A direct French/European peer to Troublemakers in 2D/3D animation production for brand and entertainment clients.
• Passion Pictures: Passion Pictures is a London-based animation and live-action studio known for award-winning short films, commercials, and branded content. Direct peer to Troublemakers in the premium, award-driven animated advertising segment.

Broad incumbents

• The Mill: The Mill is a large, global VFX, design, and animation studio producing commercials, branded content, and experiential work. Comparable to Troublemakers as a producer of high-end animated advertising, but operating at much greater scale and with a broader service portfolio.
• Framestore: Framestore is a major global VFX and immersive content studio with deep work in advertising, film, and episodic. Comparable to Troublemakers in delivering premium animated advertising for global brands, but at significantly greater scale and scope.
• MPC (Moving Picture Company): MPC is a leading global VFX and post-production house producing commercials, feature films, and episodic content. Comparable to Troublemakers in animated advertising production, but as a much larger, diversified incumbent.

Emerging players

• Hype (animation studio): Hype is a Lisbon-based animation and motion design studio producing advertising and brand content. Comparable to Troublemakers as a craft-led boutique focused on animated advertising, with a strong motion graphics and design orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/troublemakers.tv
• Xx.com/troublemakerstv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Troublemakers