- The Jim Henson Company has hired former Disney Jr. director Bryan O’Connell (pictured) to serve as its new VP of children’s television. Based in LA, O’Connell will oversee the development of a new slate of live-action and animated projects for kids, including reboots of Henson preschool series Sid the Science Kid and Dinosaur Train. He will report to CEO Lisa Henson and also joins the company’s Creative Affairs team.
- Sleep app developer Calm has appointed kids industry veteran Joe Lawson as its first-ever head of licensing. He will initially focus on strategic partnerships with manufacturers to extend the Calm brand into a range of products and consumer experiences. Lawson has worked in the kids business for more than 20 years in senior executive roles at companies including Netflix (head of publishing), DreamWorks Animation (head of international promotions) and Rovio Entertainment (SVP of global brand development for Angry Birds).
- CAKE senior sales manager Toby Jones has joined HARI as head of sales. Reporting to studio co-CEO Josselin Charier, Jones will manage global sales for Grizzy & the Lermmings, Mystery Lane, The Weasy Family and Baby Lemmings. HARI has also upped head of distribution Sophie Prigent into a new role as director of strategic partnerships and financing. On top of her existing remit, she will now oversee all revenue-generating activities and the financing of new formats and content for franchise growth.
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