UK-based kidsco CAKE is teaming up with Kickstart Entertainment on a new joint venture called CakeStart. This full-service production company will focus on developing and producing live-action projects for family audiences.

Its output will include both TV content and films aimed at the global market, and CAKE will handle worldwide distribution on all CakeStart productions.

Former Disney exec Kory Lunsford (pictured) will head up the JV as president and partner. Lunsford most recently served as head of current/VP of original series at Disney Branded Television, where he developed and produced some of its biggest live-action hits, including Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, Lizzie McGuire, Even Stevens and Good Luck Charlie.

CakeStart, which is on the hunt for co-pro partners, will have studio operations in four countries—the UK, Canada, China and Hong Kong—and a sound stage in the US.

Kickstart Entertainment has primarily worked in the live-action primetime space, and some of its notable titles include The Boys (Amazon Prime) and Preacher (AMC). This will be the first time it has focused on the family market, which is more CAKE’s bread and butter. The company’s credits encompass Mama K’s Team 4 for Netflix and Mush-Mush & The Mushables for Cartoon Network. CAKE recently restructured by adding a new production unit that’s focused on increasing its volume of development and production activity. This division will operate separately from CakeStart.