Hidden Pigeon Company (HPC), the new multiplatform kids and family content company building on award-winning author/illustrator Mo Willems’ popular character brands, has named Kristofer Updike its new Senior Vice President, Creative. Updike, a veteran children’s entertainment executive with deep expertise in development and production, content creation and more, reports directly to CEO Karen K. Miller.
“Kristofer is a true creative with a keen sense of character and story, and his ability to deliver with both warmth and humor reflects the foundation of Hidden Pigeon Company. He’s also one of the most well-liked and respected creatives in the business,” said Miller, who was appointed earlier this year. “With decades of experience across all key aspects of the kids and family space, from television and film to theater production, Kristofer will be invaluable in helping HPC achieve many important wins ahead in the areas most important to the company’s growth.”
“I am so excited to be a part of this amazing company aimed at expanding the reach of Mo Willems’s incredible library of properties and characters,” said Updike. “We have a lot of exciting things in the works as we look to bring these standout character brands into a whole new chapter of opportunity and success.”
In his new role, Updike will work alongside HPC founder Mo Willems and executive producer/showrunner Tim McKeon to oversee all television and theatrical creative. This includes the development and production of such renowned book-based character IP as Elephant & Piggie, Knuffle Bunny and The Pigeon as well as a vast collection of characters from Willems’ other popular books.
For more than 20 years, Updike has held a variety of key roles in the entertainment business. He’s worked as a development and production executive, content creator, writer, producer, postproduction supervisor and showrunner, across three entertainment mediums — television, film and theater. His extensive track record in children’s television includes developing and producing more than 900 half-hours of animation and live-action scripted and unscripted content, encompassing preschool, ages 2-6, 6-12, young adult and family.
Prior to joining HPC, Updike was VP, Development at Peacock, where he implemented the Peacock Kids streaming portfolio and managed development and production of $100 million worth of internationally recognized intellectual property as well as new original entertainment for families and kids ages 2-12. Before Peacock, Updike served as Senior Director, Original Programing and Development at Universal Kids; Director/Senior Manager, Original Production and Development at Sprout; and VP of Production with Bix Pix Entertainment.
Updike earned an MFA in Acting from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and a BA in Theater/Film and Art from Albright College. He has studied acting, directing, writing, design, movement and dance at both the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center and the Moscow Art Theatre.
Hidden Pigeon Company was founded in early 2023 Willems along with Stampede Ventures and RedBird Capital Partners. The company’s formation followed the successful collaborations between Willems and Stampede to deliver the specials Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience and Don’t Let the Pigeon Do Storytime for HBO Max/Max.
