Singapore-based service studio Sparky Animation has hired former Kidtagious exec Kerry Novick as its new SVP of global sales and co-productions. Novick will take the lead on international expansion efforts and the creation of new programming for the global market.

Based in LA, Novick started at Sparky this month and has hit the ground running. She is tasked with selling the company’s existing library, and finding and building new relationships with distributors, broadcasters and streamers. She is also hunting for co-pro partners and projects to add to Sparky’s slate.

To take advantage of existing co-pro treaties, Novick is particularly interested in working with producers from Australia and Canada. She also hopes to identify a partner in the UK as a potential window into Europe.

Ideally, Novick is looking for projects on which Sparky can run point on animation and production, while partners handle writing and direction. In particular, the studio is after stories that deal with themes of mutual respect and understanding, as well as the environment.

Novick says Sparky Animation currently has five projects in development, including KiKA commission Mystery Museum (26 x 22 minutes), a co-pro with Germany’s Hahn Film. Targeted at kids ages six to nine, the 2D-animated series is about two siblings in a museum and teaches kids about STEM ideas like medicine and physics.

The prodco has also partnered with Presto Music to make an animated music show called Rhythm Warriors. The 52 x 11-minute series for four to sevens features a different musical genre or era in each episode, and it’s cast of characters has to figure out real rhythmic notation in order to unlock a mystical code.

Established in 2006, Sparky has previously worked on Dinosaur Train, Doc McStuffins and Miraculous Ladybug. The studio isn’t a well-known name in the industry because it has historically focused on a single project at a time, says Novick. Her role will be to build out not only its partnership base, but its brand recognition as well.

Novick plans to use the experience she has gleaned from working at The Jim Henson Company, FremantleMedia Kids, Guru Studio, Nelvana and Sesame Workshop to help Sparky grow. Most recently, she served as SVP of global sales and business development at Kidtagious.