Toronto, ON –WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, has appointed executive Lorna Withrington to the newly created role of Vice President, Development-Animation. As a key member of WildBrain’s Content team, Withrington will help drive the strategic vision behind the company’s diverse, multi-genre slate of original animation, collaborating closely with creators, writers, artists and other production stakeholders to instill creative excellence in WildBrain’s shows. Additionally, Withrington is tasked with expanding existing WildBrain properties and activating the expertise of divisions across the company to create successful franchises. Withrington is based in Toronto and reports to WildBrain’s EVP Content and Current Series, Stephanie Betts.

Stephanie Betts said: “As we continue investing in creativity and talent to drive our expanding slate of premium animation, it’s fantastic to welcome an executive with Lorna’s qualifications to our growing content-development team. Lorna brings an impressive history in proven franchise brands and a strategic vision that will ensure our slate remains innovative and relevant to today’s audience.”

Lorna Withrington added: “WildBrain is already home to an impressive and varied portfolio of content and brands, which are loved by kids and families all around the world. I’m very much looking forward to collaborating closely with Stephanie and the team as we build upon this success and discover the next generation of children’s hits.”

Withrington is a recognized leader in the creative development and acquisition of kids’ and family properties with franchise appeal. She brings wide-ranging experience on international co-productions and in the creation of 2D, 3D and hybrid series, with a career spanning such properties as Paw Patrol, PJ Masks, Peppa Pig, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam and Thomas & Friends. Withrington joins from Spin Master, where she held the position of Director of Development, and has also held management roles in Development, Creative Affairs, Acquisitions and Production at Entertainment One and HIT Entertainment/Mattel.

About WildBrain 

At WildBrain we inspire imaginations to run wild, engaging kids and families everywhere with great content across all media. With approximately 13,000 half-hours of filmed entertainment in our library – one of the world’s most extensive – we are home to such brands as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, Inspector Gadget, Johnny Test and Degrassi. At our 75,000-square-foot state-of-the-art animation studio in Vancouver, BC, we produce such fan-favourite series as The Snoopy Show, Snoopy in Space, Chip & Potato, Carmen Sandiego, Go, Dog. Go! and more. Our shows are enjoyed worldwide in more than 150 countries on over 500 streaming platforms and telecasters, and our AVOD business – WildBrain Spark – offers one of the largest networks of kids’ channels on YouTube, garnering billions of views per month from over 150 million subscribers. We also license consumer products and location-based entertainment in every major territory for our own properties as well as for our clients and content partners. Our television group owns and operates four family entertainment channels that are among the most viewed in Canada. WildBrain is headquartered in Canada with offices worldwide and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: WILD). Please visit us at wildbrain.com.