CARTOON NETWORK STUDIOS ^
As Art Director of Creative Services at the new Cartoon Network Studios, Stagg took the helm at a critical juncture in the early
days of the studio. Working closely with directors and showrunners, Stagg designed and directed successful launches of a slew of
new animated shows, including: Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Lab, Cow and Chicken, Jonny Bravo, and 20 other series
for the Emmy-winning World Premiere Toons on the Cartoon Network.
In addition to show launches, Stagg was responsible for concept, design, art direction and production of new studio initiatives and advertising. Stagg also designed and directed the production of key art, style guides, posters, sell-sheets, brand systems,
and guided licensing and merchandising with management of creative assets and approvals.
| POSTER CAMPAIGN ^
The launch strategy for World Premiere Toons was simple and very effective.
A series of highest quality limited edition fluorescent one-sheets in the spirit of '80's rock show posters was created.
These were direct mailed weekly to animation journalists, creators, movers and shakers. The relentless direct mail campaign created incredible buzz and galvanized the industry for the arrival of World Premiere Toons.
DEXTER'S LABORATORY | GENDY TARTAKOVSKY ^
Stagg worked closely with Dexter's Laboratory creator and director Gendy Tartakovsky to launch his Emmy nominated series about the misadventures of a boy genius and his annoying sister. Stagg created launch and marketing materials for the Cartoon network's now cult animated series.
WHAT A CARTOON! | INTERTITLE ^
What A Cartoon! was the original title of the groundbreaking shorts initiative at Cartoon Network Studios.
Stagg created the dynamic and infectious opening that appears on the pre-roll of every new cartoon produced
to air on Cartoon Network. Gary Lionelli created the theme song. Subsequently seen millions of times.
WAC! became The Cartoon Cartoon Show and then Cartoon Cartoon. Wikipedia breaks it down well here.
To see and hear the intertitle, view any of the videos on this page.
The original model pack for Dexter's Lab. Art and design by Gendy Tartakovsky & Paul Rudish
A selection of posters Stagg produced for the Cartoon Network's first slate of new shows
CARTOON NETWORK STUDIOS | LOGO REDESIGN ^
Stagg updated the Cartoon Network logo for the new production entity Cartoon Network Studios
POWERPUFF GIRLS | CRAIG McCRACKEN ^
Stagg and director Craig McCracken worked closely to create the launch materials for the cult series The Powerpuff Girls, three super-powered little girls constantly saving the world from monsters, would-be conquerers and other gross things. Powerpuff Girls became a ratings and merchandise juggernaut, winning multiple Emmy's and spawning a feature film.
MODEL PACK | POWERPUFF GIRLS ^
Model pack Meat Fuzzy Lumkins episode 1 Powerpuff Girls,
art and design by Craig McCracken and Paul Rudish
Below: Promotional flipbook swag
| MEAT FUZZY LUMKINS ^
The debut episode of The Powerpuff Girls in Meat Fuzzy Lumkins,
had its world premiere on Monday, February 20, 1995
UV POSTER PRINTING ^
All posters in the What A Cartoon series where silkscreened in as many as 10 colors of UV reactive fluorescent ink.
A limited edition run of approximately 2500 posters in total, they are now collector's items.
COW & CHICKEN | DAVID FEISS ^
Stagg created the launch and marketing materials for the beloved Emmy nominated series Cow & Chicken, about the misadventures of two unlikely yet somehow biological siblings. Stagg worked closely with creator David Feiss to capture the irreverent spirit of the show. The original poster showed the Devil's naked backside as he offered Chicken a cigarette, but was amended after it was deemed too transgressive.
Episode One – Cow & Chicken – No Smoking
TALES OF WORM PARANOIA | EDDIE FITZGERALD ^
Stagg worked closely with Spumco and Bakshi veteran director Eddie Fitzgerald to create key art for his twisted short Tales of Worm Paranoia, about a peaceful and forgiving worm who has a mental breakdown
and seeks revenge after being stepped on repeatedly.
DINO IN STAY OUT | JOE BARBERA ^
Stagg worked directly with animation icon and Hanna-Barbera founder, Joe Barbera, on creating key art and launch materials for the only spin-off cartoon of The Flintstones, Dino: Stay Out.
JOHNNY BRAVO | VAN PARTIBLE ^
Stagg worked closely with new director Van Partible on the key art and launch materials of Van's beloved Johnny Bravo character in his first outing in the self-titled episode Johnny Bravo, where he tries to score with a zookeeper crush by capturing a runaway gorilla.
BILL HANNA | HARDLUCK DUCK ^
Stagg worked directly with animation icon and Hanna-Barbera founder, Bill Hanna on creating key art and launch materials for his last cartoon, an original short called Hard Luck Duck.
BUTCH HARTMAN | PHISH & CHIP ^
Stagg and Butch Hartman, the Emmy Award winning director of The Fairly Oddparents, worked together to create super psychedelic key art for his first solo short Pfish & Chip: Short Pfuse about a carefree shark, and a short-tempered lynx, who attempt to stop the laughing Mad Bomber without waking their boss from a nap.
 Eddie Fitzgerald |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 Van Partible |  |  |
 Bill Hanna |  | |
|  |  Gendy Tartakovsky |
 |  Craig McCracken |  |
 | |  Joe Barbera |
 |  | Bill Again |
 | |
WHAT A CARTOON! | DIRECTORS ^
Studio Head Fred Seibert had a vision for a new wave of cartoons, rebirthing the Golden Age of animation.
He drew together a vanguard team of creators on the What A Cartoon project, ranging from Industry icons like Bill Hanna, Joe Barbera and Ralph Bakshi to total newbies like Van Partible. They shared a passion for cartoons in all their insanity and laid the foundation for a new generation of cartoon legends. I was lucky to play a role in their development and launching them to the public.
Portraits by Marcus Morianz and Jesse Stagg
"Not so fast...!"