In a celebration of entrepreneurial spirit and creative excellence, QUT proudly announces Nadine Bates and Kristen Souvlis as joint winners of the 2023 QUT Outstanding Entrepreneurial Alumnus award.
The award recognises their remarkable achievements as Founders and CEOs of Like a Photon Creative, a pioneering content creation company that has left an indelible mark on the children's entertainment industry.
With collective experience spanning two decades in children's television, publishing, and digital entertainment, Nadine and Kristen embarked on an incredible journey to establish Like a Photon Creative. In just three years, they successfully raised $5 million in private capital, laying the foundation for a groundbreaking enterprise in the world of children's entertainment.
One of their most significant milestones includes the creation of their own 2D and 3D animation studio, Pony Up Picture Studios, marking a historic achievement as the first female-led and owned animation studio in the country.
Their dedication to innovation led to the development and launch of the Kindergo reading app, which has garnered a staggering 40,000 users across 127 countries and secured its position as the number one children's app in 30 countries. Moreover, in 2014, Like a Photon Creative became only the second Australian company to produce content for Sesame Street USA, with Nadine and Kristen being the first female Australian writers and producers for the renowned television show.
Their visionary approach also resulted in securing a six-part animated feature output deal with Universal Content Group. The release of their first three feature animations, "The Wishmas Tree", "Combat Wombat," and "Daisy Quokka", captivated audiences in 175 global territories. Currently, they are diligently working on a new animated feature titled "Scarygirl" and the next three films in the "Tales from Sanctuary City" franchise.
A Bachelor of Arts and Education alumnus, Nadine previously worked as a teacher and later transitioned into screenwriting for children's television and authoring picture books. She also managed her own independent publishing company and served as the Vice President of development and production with Screen Queensland. Meanwhile, Creative Industries Drama graduate, Kristen, boasts over a decade of experience across the content production sector, having worked with notable shows and clients such as "Totally Wild," "H2O: Just Add Water," "Mako Mermaids," the BBC, Sesame Street USA, ZDF Enterprises, and The History Channel.
Reflecting on their remarkable journey, Kristen noted, "From the start, we really wanted to forge a path that grew our careers, grew the sector, and grew our business globally." She continued, "Bringing together creativity and business in financing models is a very creative journey for us, and that's what makes it exciting."
Nadine added, "When you create content for children, you're planting the seeds of change in an entire generation. If young people see representations of diversity, kindness, tolerance, and equality, they are much more likely to grow up embodying those traits as well."
Their achievements are not only a testament to their creative prowess but also to their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the world through the power of children's entertainment.
Nadine Bates and Kristen Souvlis' extraordinary journey and exceptional contributions to the children's entertainment industry serve as an inspiration to other aspiring entrepreneurs and creative minds. Their joint win of the 2023 QUT Outstanding Entrepreneurial Alumnus Award is a fitting recognition of their pioneering spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence.