New Zealand’s Pukeko Pictures (The WotWots) has struck a first-look deal to develop new children’s properties with Michael Polis, former president of W!LDBRAIN Entertainment and EVP of branded entertainment and consumer products at DHX Media.

Polis’s L.A.-based prodco Atomic Toybox will also help secure co-production and broadcast deals for Pukeko’s new and existing kids IPs.

Before joining Atomic in 2012 and eventually becoming its president, Polis helped develop, manage and produce content for leading kids brands across TV, film and digital platforms.

He is the creator and former executive producer of math- and literacy-based transmedia property UMIGO and also served as executive producer on Yo Gabba Gabba! for Nickelodeon.

Prior to joining W!LDBRAIN, Polis spent eight years at The Jim Henson Company as SVP of worldwide marketing, overseeing initiatives for acclaimed Henson brands including The Muppets, Fraggle Rock and Labyrinth.

Pukeko is currently in production on a Thunderbirds Are Go re-make, which will debut on ITV and CITV in 2015, and which has also been picked up by Australia’s Nine Network.