Stefanie Bitton is excited about what lies ahead for Montreal-based animation studio TONIC DNA

Formerly known as Studio Pascal Blais, TONIC DNA is a Montreal-based animation studio founded in 1983. The company specializes in a variety of different forms of animation, including traditional 2D, 3D and visual effects, stop-motion and motion design.

With a roster of directors and animators who produce content for advertising, television and film, Bitton explains that the aim of the studio’s recent rebrand was to reflect its current mission and values.

“We’re named TONIC DNA for Directors ‘N Animators,” she says. “We made this change because our directors and animators are a crucial part of our company and our values. We wanted to have a name that really represented that.”

Concordia and Costa Rica

After graduating from Concordia, Bitton scanned the job postings on the website of the Government of Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s (now Global Affairs Canada). Her hope was to work in international business and learn Spanish at the same time.

She eventually found what she was looking for in Costa Rica, where she interned as a consultant at CEGESTI and the Costa Rican Chamber of Exporters for seven months.

Bitton credits Concordia for helping her better understand the needs of the job market.

“When I graduated, I didn’t ask myself: What am I going to do now?” she recalls. “The university prepared me and I was ready to move forward.”

When she returned to Montreal, Bitton looked for work and came across a listing for someone who had sales experience and was fluent in Spanish, French and English. The company was Studio Pascal Blais.

“They hired me in 2005 to develop business in new markets, including Latin America,” Bitton says. “I didn’t have any experience in animation, television or film, but it was really to approach advertising agencies, production companies and other clienteles in Latin America.”