The Pinkfong Company, the S. Korea-based entertainment company behind Baby Shark, has appointed Disney+ animation director David Levy as its first Head of Studio at Pinkfong USA, the subsidiary of The Pinkfong Company. Levy brings more than 20 years of experience in animation and development to his new post.
In his role, Levy will spearhead the development and production of original IP, working across short-form and long-form content while overseeing creative in Pinkfong USA’s co-productions. Reporting to Marina Lee, Chief Content Officer at Pinkfong USA, Levy will work closely with creative, franchise and channel operations teams behind Baby Shark Dance, the world’s most-viewed video in the history of YouTube.
Under Levy’s leadership, the Los Angeles-based studio will focus on expanding Pinkfong’s overall portfolio, with a brand new IP slated to debut this year.
“We are investing aggressively into the next phase of growth, leveraging our YouTube channels to incubate new brands,” said Lee. “We are thrilled to have David’s creativity and leadership as we expand on our original portfolio and explore the new frontiers.”
“Pinkfong and Baby Shark are among the most iconic and beloved franchises born out of new media,” Levy noted. “YouTube is where the majority of kids discover new content today and Pinkfong has a powerful presence there. Pinkfong’s ability to create and distribute original IP on their own robust channels and also with outside streamers and broadcasters is a winning combination. I’m so excited to join the team and look forward to building great things together.”
Levy’s newly created role is the latest in the company’s IP expansion. Following the global success of Baby Shark, the company has sought to expand its kids and family IP business, diversifying its content portfolio through new properties including its latest hit Bebefinn. The series reached 3 million YouTube subscribers in less than nine months and made the Top 10 Kids on Netflix in nine countries.
Prior to Levy joining, the company also tapped the former Warner Bros. Animation producer Justin Becker as Creative Executive at Pinkfong USA.
As Director of Animation for Disney+, Levy led the development and production of original short-form series for Lucasfilm, Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and YouTube Kids. Prior to joining The Walt Disney Company, Levy kicked off his professional career at Nick Jr.’s Blue’s Clues, where he began in storyboards and grew to become a director over the show’s long run. He also directed a number of world-renowned shows, including Sesame’s Word on the Street, and is the author of Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive and other best-selling books on the animation industry.
