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Sam Register

Sam Register (born June 16, 1969) is an television producer and businessman known for his leadership in the animation industry. He currently serves as president of (WBA), (CNS), and (HBSE), overseeing the development and production of animated series, films, and digital content for platforms including HBO Max, , , and . Register began his career at in 1994, where he contributed to the launch of CartoonNetwork.com in 1998 as one of the site's creators. He joined in 2007 as a producer, advancing to executive vice president of creative affairs in 2008, during which he developed and executive produced acclaimed animated series such as , , , and Star Wars: The Clone Wars. In April 2014, he was promoted to president of and Blue Ribbon Content, supervising the studio's television animation unit and expanding into digital series production. His tenure has included executive producing the feature film Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018), the first theatrical adaptation of the Teen Titans Go! series, as well as overseeing more than 30 ongoing projects like Teen Titans Go!, , and . In August 2020, Register's responsibilities expanded to include , following the departure of former CNS president Rob Sorcher, positioning him to lead combined efforts across WBA and CNS under 's kids, family, and animation portfolio. Under his leadership, the studios have produced a wide array of Comics-based animated content, including direct-to-video films and series tied to properties like Batman, , and . Register has also been vocal on industry issues, such as expressing concerns about the impact of on animation jobs in early 2024.

Early life and education

Birth and upbringing

Sam Register was born Samuel B. Register on June 16, 1969, in , New York, USA. Public information regarding his family background, parents, siblings, or specific details of his upbringing remains limited, with no verified accounts of parental influences or early family dynamics available in reputable sources. The urban setting of during his formative years likely provided broad exposure to diverse media, though direct connections to his personal development are not documented.

Education and early interests

Sam Register pursued formal training in the visual arts by enrolling in the in , a renowned institution founded by acclaimed artist . He completed its rigorous three-year diploma program, which emphasizes practical skills essential for careers in , cartooning, and graphic storytelling. The at the School provided Register with hands-on instruction in core techniques, including basic and advanced , human figure rendering, inking methods for reproductive , narrative development through sequential , and imaginative writing for and illustrations. These elements introduced foundational principles of and visual media production, such as , page design, and character creation, preparing graduates for professional applications in the industry. Register's longstanding passion for , which drew him to this specialized , reflected his early creative inclinations toward and animated storytelling. Following graduation, he engaged in initial projects that honed these skills, bridging his academic training to broader opportunities in . This educational foundation directly informed his entry into the field at .

Career

Early career at Cartoon Network

Sam Register entered the animation industry in 1994, joining in entry-level roles focused on and development during the network's early expansion into the internet era. His training at the School of Cartoon and Graphic Art provided foundational skills in illustration and storytelling that informed his approach to . As the first employee dedicated to online initiatives, Register quickly rose to lead Cartoon Network Online, where he spearheaded the creation of the network's inaugural website, , launched in 1998. In this capacity, he oversaw the production of web-based animated content and interactive media, pioneering efforts to engage audiences through browser-compatible animations and promotional materials tied to flagship series like and . A cornerstone of his tenure was the Web Premiere Toons program, an anthology of original short cartoons designed specifically for the web, which exemplified innovative strategies for cross-promoting online content to potential television development. Under Register's direction, the program featured bite-sized animations that tested creative concepts, with several evolving into full TV series, reversing the traditional pipeline from broadcast to digital in the pre-streaming landscape. His work emphasized audience interaction via games, polls, and exclusive clips, fostering early online communities around 's programming. By 2001, Register had advanced to senior vice president and creative director of Online, where he continued to shape digital strategies for creative development and viewer retention.

Transition to Warner Bros. Animation

In 2007, after a decade at as a and senior , Sam Register departed to join in a deal to develop and produce animated projects for the studio. His background in digital content creation from facilitated his quick adaptation to Warner Bros.' production model, which emphasized alongside emerging media opportunities. At Warner Bros., Register's early contributions included oversight of DC animated films, such as those in the Batman and franchises, helping to launch and sustain the studio's home entertainment output during the late 2000s. For instance, in late 2008, he promoted upcoming releases like the animated film as part of the expanding DC lineup. Register was promoted to Executive Vice President of Creative Affairs in June 2008, a role in which he focused on broadening the studio's animated content pipelines for distribution and syndication. This position enabled him to leverage his experience in bridging digital innovations with techniques, including the integration of online interactive elements into TV specials and series to enhance audience engagement.

Executive leadership roles

In April 2014, Sam Register was promoted to the position of of and Warner Digital Series, a role that later encompassed oversight of Blue Ribbon Content, the studio's digital short-form division; he reported directly to Warner Bros. Television Group Chairman Peter Roth. This appointment built on his prior production experience at , positioning him to guide the studio's creative and operational strategy across television and emerging digital formats. Register's responsibilities expanded significantly in August 2020, when he was elevated to President of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, adding oversight of the latter while maintaining the studios as distinct entities united under a shared commitment to innovation and diverse storytelling. In April 2021, his portfolio further grew to include Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, a London-based revival of the classic animation brand focused on family-oriented content for global audiences, co-led with Vanessa Brookman. Under Register's leadership, Warner Bros. Animation pursued key strategic initiatives, including the greenlighting of expansions for established franchises such as Teen Titans Go!, which extended from its long-running series to the 2018 theatrical film Teen Titans GO! to the Movies, and reboots of Looney Tunes through series like Looney Tunes Cartoons for HBO Max. He also championed international co-productions, leveraging Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe to develop collaborative projects tailored for EMEA markets while integrating them into Warner Bros.' broader content pipeline. As of 2025, Register continues in his role amid Discovery's evolution, emphasizing portfolio management across animation divisions to adapt to streaming demands, including optimized content distribution on platforms like Max and enhanced cross-studio synergies for global reach. Recent initiatives under his oversight include the greenlighting of the DC Super Powers in July 2025 and a 2025 partnership with Entertainment to develop new animated content based on popular webcomics.

Filmography

Feature films

Sam Register has been credited as on a wide array of animated feature films through , with a particular emphasis on the (DCUAOM) line, which he oversaw following his 2014 promotion to president of the studio. These projects, often releases exceeding 70 minutes in runtime, adapted Comics storylines into action-oriented animated narratives, contributing to the studio's robust output of over 35 such features during his tenure. Early in his leadership, Register executive produced Son of Batman (2014), a film introducing as Batman's son and drawing from Grant Morrison's comics arc, which garnered acclaim for its dynamic animation and voice cast including as Batman. This was followed by Justice League: War (2014), rebooting the team's origin in continuity with a focus on Cyborg's integration, marking the start of the shared continuity. A notable theatrical venture under Register was Teen Titans Go! to the Movies (2018), expanding the irreverent TV series into a feature-length parody of superhero tropes, which grossed $52 million worldwide on a $10 million budget and earned an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its self-aware humor. Later direct-to-video entries like Justice League vs. Fatal Five (2019) bridged DC's mainstream and Legion of Super-Heroes lore, featuring guest voices from the original animated series and emphasizing themes of heroism across timelines. Post-2020, Register's film projects increasingly aligned with streaming distribution via HBO Max (now Max), reflecting the industry's pivot from Blu-ray sales to on-demand accessibility amid the and WarnerMedia's strategy. Examples include the hybrid live-action/animated Tom & Jerry (2021), reimagining the classic chase dynamic in a contemporary urban setting, which achieved $136.5 million in global despite simultaneous streaming availability. Register extended his oversight to non-DC properties, such as the anime-style : The War of the Rohirrim (2024), a exploring Éowyn's ancestor Hammerhand, praised for its epic visuals and cultural authenticity in a New Line Cinema-Warner Bros. co-production. Similarly, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Movie (2024), centering on and against an alien threat, received a limited theatrical run and streamed on Max, grossing $15.2 million worldwide while reviving the franchise's legacy. These efforts highlight Register's adaptation of portfolio to hybrid theatrical-streaming models, sustaining audience engagement through diverse genres and formats.

Television series

Sam Register has served as executive producer on numerous animated television series produced by and , overseeing projects that blend classic characters with modern storytelling for broadcast and streaming platforms. His contributions have focused on developing episodic content that emphasizes humor, action, and character-driven narratives, often revitalizing established franchises for younger audiences. Key series under his executive production include (2011–2014), which aired on and reimagined classic characters in a format across two seasons, totaling 52 episodes. Another staple is Teen Titans Go! (2013–present), also on , a comedic of the original that has exceeded 400 episodes as of November 2025, demonstrating exceptional longevity through its irreverent take on superhero tropes and generating spin-off media tied to its TV format. Similarly, Young Justice (2010–present), initially broadcast on before moving to Max, explores Comics' teen heroes in a serialized adventure format spanning four seasons and 98 episodes as of 2022, with its narrative depth contributing to renewed interest via streaming revivals. Register's oversight extended to reboots like (2020–2023), streamed on , which revived the 1990s series with updated sketches and meta-humor across three seasons and 36 episodes, maintaining the original's chaotic energy while adapting to contemporary platforms. These projects, greenlit under his at , highlight his role in sustaining Cartoon Network's animated output and expanding Warner Bros.' portfolio with enduring, multi-season hits.

Awards and nominations

Daytime Emmy Awards

Sam Register has received four nominations for Daytime Emmy Awards. He was nominated in 2008 and 2009 for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program for Ben 10 and Ben 10: Alien Force, respectively. He also received two nominations in the Outstanding Special Class Short Format Daytime category, recognizing his contributions as executive producer to animated shorts produced for Cartoon Network's DC Nation programming block. In 2014, Register was nominated for the short "Deadman Catch" from the Deadman series (2013). This nomination placed the project among competitors such as Channel's "Friends for Change" and "Make Your Mark". Register earned another nomination in 2015 for the "Stamina" episode of the Shazam! series (2013). Competing against entries like "True Champions: Depression".

Primetime Emmy Awards

Register has received four Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program. In 2012, he was nominated for an episode of MAD. He earned additional nominations in 2017, 2018, and 2019 for episodes of Teen Titans Go!.

Other recognitions

In 2023, Register received a nomination for the Children's & Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Special for Looney Tunes Cartoons: "Bugs Bunny's Howl-O-Skreem Spooktacular". In addition to his Emmy nominations, Register has been recognized for his executive influence in the animation industry through inclusions in prominent power rankings. In 2024, he was ranked #12 on Cartoon Brew's annual U.S. Animation Power List, acknowledging his oversight of , , and , where he manages over 30 active projects and 50 in development, including franchise revivals like and DC Comics adaptations. Register's leadership has been highlighted through high-profile engagements at international animation events. He has moderated spotlight panels at the , such as the 2023 session on and , and contributed to the festival's 2025 programming, including a 25th anniversary panel for featuring creators like and . His participation underscores his role in showcasing innovative trends globally, with returning as a partner in 2025 to unveil projects like Get Jiro and Bat-Fam. Under Register's presidency since 2020, has advanced diversity in animation through targeted initiatives. The 2021 launch of the Cartoon Cartoons shorts program emphasizes underrepresented voices and stories, aiming to foster inclusive content for modern audiences. In 2022, he spearheaded an artist discovery program selecting six diverse creators—spanning race, gender, and age—for development opportunities, prioritizing original narratives from emerging talent. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to elevating underrepresented perspectives, influencing industry trends toward greater representation in animated outputs as of 2025.

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