Trustbridge Global Media, the private equity–backed media company that acquired the children’s book publishers Candlewick Press, Holiday House, Peachtree Publishing, Pixel + Ink, and Walker Books in a series of transactions, has formed a new company to develop and produce kids' and family programming.
According to Trustbridge, the new company, which does not yet have a name, will develop programming “based primarily on the expansive library of titles inside the Trustbridge Global Media publishing houses.” It will be headed by Bob Higgins, a longtime children's and family entertainment executive who most recently served as executive v-p of kids and family content for Boat Rocker Media.
“We are aggressively expanding our kids' and family content business with both eyes on building the platform of choice for creators of exciting and high quality content,” John String, managing director of Trustbridge Global Media, said in a statement. “Bob’s track record and expertise, particularly his success working with talented storytellers to bring fresh perspectives to original series and beloved titles, make him an exceptional hire to lead our entertainment group.”
Higgins will report to String, and will be based in New York. While at Boat Rocker, Higgins oversaw the creative direction for the Boat Rocker kids and family business, including acquisitions, development, and production of television and digital programming. Among the projects he was involved with were Netflix's A Tale Dark & Grimm, based on the book by Adam Gidwitz, and Apple TV+'s Amber Brown, based on Paula Danziger’s book series.
“The Trustbridge family of publishers has incredible resources, a history of exceptionalism, great respect for the creative process, and a library that has the potential to produce programming across multiple platforms that will resonate with young audiences everywhere,” Higgins said.
