Little Airplane Productions founder/CEO Josh Selig and COO Sharon Gomes have left the New York-based studio, with execs from Belgium-based parent company Studio 100 appointed to replace them. Taking greater control of Little Airplane will help Studio 100 cope with COVID-19’s impact on its overall business, according to a release.
Martin Krieger (pictured, right) and Barbara Stephen (pictured, left) will now oversee Little Airplane (Super Wings) so that Studio 100 can create a more streamlined international business. The execs, who are co-CEOs of Studio 100 International, will work with Little Airplane’s team on its existing pipeline of projects.
Studio 100 acquired Little Airplane—the prodco behind animated preschool series such as P. King Duckling, Super Wings and Wonder Pets!— in 2017 to expand its activities in the US and China, where Little Airplane had existing relationships and a co-pro deal with Chinese producer UYoung for P. King Duckling.
The split was amicable, according to a statement from Selig. He is already gearing up to launch a US/China venture that will make new shows for the global market.
“While our collaboration has come to an end, I have every faith in the team at Little Airplane and Studio 100 to continue delivering the kind of high-quality preschool shows that Little Airplane is renowned for,” said Selig.