Production services company Servo will hire Sam Pantos to serve as CEO, driving the next stage of strategic growth.
Founded in 2023 by Dean Hood, John Quiper, Genevieve Hofmare, Marvin Saven and Jamie Hilton, Servo aims to leverage the competitiveness of Australia’s location, post, digital, visual effects (PDV) and producer offsets.
It developed a “net cost” model to provide incentive funding to independent productions and increase PDV work to Australia.
The Venture Report reports support projects that will win over $1 billion in Australian Production Expenses (QAPE). Among them is Ron Howard’s Eden, filmed in Queensland. Liam Neeson Action Thriller Ice Road: The revenge filmed in Victoria, Shane Black’s play stars Mark Wahlberg and Lakes Stanfield, filmed in Amazon MGM Studios and Sydney.
According to Screen Australia, the recent recent reported foreign drama spending in Australia totaled $768 million. However, that year was influenced by strikes by American actors and writers. A permanent increase in location offset to 30% is expected to strengthen Australia’s position as a competitive producer.
Kuyper, co-founder of Servo, Senior Vice President of Production at Warner Bros. Australia, said the country is becoming one of the “most dynamic production hubs in the world.”
“The strong response from international studios and local crews has been busy with increasing demand for professional services, seeing the role of servos in complementing professionals in Australia’s veteran industry,” he said.
The role of Servo CEO has brought Pantos back to Australia from the Saudi Arabian stint. There, he served as operation director for the Neom Media Industry, expanding the country’s screen capabilities and overseeing the provision of the first dedicated studio in the region.
Previously, Pantos took on senior executive roles at Playmaker Media and Endemol Australia, but began his screen career at Fox Studios 25 years ago. Servo will join an executive team that includes Mel Kreissokoys, senior finance managers William Creamer, Julie Stewart and Michael Pontin.
Co-founder Hood said the company is excited to welcome Pantos as CEO and that his experience, leadership and financial expertise should ensure that the company “provides exceptional service and strengthens its position as the best one-stop shop for Australian producers.”
Pantos said he was honored to get home and lead the team. He described Servo as a company that allows global studios to unlock Australia’s unparalleled value by removing complexity and providing a wide range of services.
Hood, Kuyper, Hofmeyr, Saven and Hilton will function as board members and will continue to be closely involved in various aspects of the business, including their long-term strategic vision.
The company has offices in Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, but will open a new office in Washington state when Perth Studio begins operations next year.
