UtopiaPeople Launches Global UtopiaBook, Stefan Ström and Hanna Kallin to Lead

Stockholm-based UtopiaPeople, led by Co-Founder/CTO Stefan Ström and Co-founder/CFO Hanna Kallin, has started 2013 with an exciting launch: opening their new global talent resource, UtopiaBook, to the worldwide digital and post-production communities. Ström, an award-winning editor who has worked with Nike, Crispin Porter & Bogusky, Saatchi & Saatchi, and Wieden+Kennedy, joined with TV4 Sweden’s Kallin, pooling their combined experience to create the premium platform for connecting brands, agencies, film studios, and post-production shops to their database of more than 13,000 freelance artists.

UtopiaBook is a cloud-based system that works simultaneously as a booking tool, as well as a management and organizational hub. “The idea came after several years of recruiting for the film and VFX industry,” explained Stefan Ström of UtopiaPeople, “And having successfully recruited in over 30 countries, we clearly saw ways that we could improve how our clients found their talent and significantly cut the time and money they spend on finding them quickly and effectively.” Accordingly, UtopiaBook gives clients direct access to one of the largest databases of VFX talent in the world without the need of an intermediary, allowing them to crew-up entire departments within hours. For talent, UtopiaBook presents a free, non-exclusive way to be considered for top-tier work. The detailed application also continuously introduces new talent into the database, so members can find the best and brightest, helping encourage creativity while exposing more individuals to a wider range of opportunities.

One of the most valuable features of UtopiaBook is its open database-style functionality, allowing artists and members the ability to search and access reels, contacts, references, and more. “Few companies have the resources to build a system like this; a system built entirely for the digital and post-production community that’s completely white-labeled,” said Hanna Kallin of UtopiaPeople. “The system also allows members the ability to import all existing contact lists, which removes the need to double-up on effort.”

Building considerable momentum, UtopiaBook has already signed 25 clients pre-launch with plans to grow to 100 clients and 20,000 artists by year’s end.