Hidden Pigeon Company, the six-month-old entertainment company extending Mo Willems’ IPs across all platforms, is bolstering its senior ranks with three executive hires.
Willems, LA’s Stampede Ventures and New York-based private investment firm RedBird Capital Partners launched Hidden Pigeon in May. It has access to Willems’ IPs, including the author’s iconic Pigeon and Naked Mole Rat characters. The Pigeon picture book series has sold more than eight million copies in North America.
Leading the charge on consumer products is Erin Morris (pictured left), a former Disney franchise development director who has joined Hidden Pigeon as head of global consumer products. In her new role, Morris will spearhead licensing initiatives, CP programs and retail business development. After Disney, she worked in consumer products at The SpringHill Company, Twentieth Century Fox and DreamWorks Animation.
Hidden Pigeon has also tapped Carol Roeder (pictured right) as its first publishing executive director. She will oversee the company’s global publishing business, including the new Specific House imprint. Roeder was previously a publishing exec at Disney, LucasFilm and Simon & Schuster, managing programs for Star Wars and James Cameron’s Avatar franchise.
Howard Chon, a former Warner Bros. Entertainment VP of finance, has also come aboard as head of finance and business operations.
All three new hires report to the studio’s CEO, Kathy Franklin, who joined Hidden Pigeon in May.