BAD HOMBURG, GERMANY - Maxon (www.maxon.net), the maker of software solutions for creators working in 2D & 3D design, motion graphics and visual effects, has appointed Steve Forde chief product officer. He will lead Maxon’s global product organization, working closely with chief technology and AI officer Philip Losch to drive product strategy, execution and long-term innovation across the Maxon portfolio.
Forde brings a combination of entrepreneurial vision and operational scale to the team. He's held senior leadership roles at Adobe and Amazon, where he led product, engineering and design teams for large-scale platforms such as Adobe After Effects and Amazon Prime Video. Earlier in his career, he founded and led two successful startups, including GridIron Software, where he oversaw the development of plug-ins for After Effects, giving him his first introduction to working closely with the Maxon team back in 2007.
“What drew me to Maxon was the convergence of people, technology and a fundamental shift in how creative content is made,” Forde reveals. “The proliferation of games, advertising and social media is driving 3D from niche skillset to mainstream job requirement. With the right combination of product innovation and intelligent workflows, it can become accessible to an even broader audience. Maxon is uniquely positioned to lead that transformation, not just by building powerful tools, but by delivering experiences that scale with creators as their needs evolve. I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines while it happens.”
“Steve brings a deep understanding of both where Maxon comes from and where the market is heading,” adds David McGavran, CEO of Maxon. “His ability to connect long-term vision with practical execution makes him an ideal partner as we continue to grow. This appointment strengthens our leadership team and positions Maxon to lead the industry through the next phase of creative evolution.”