Vancouver-based animation studio Wind Sun Sky (Invincible) has hired former BBC Children’s head of brand Jo Redfern as its first-ever managing director of kids. 

She’s tasked with managing the growth of the company’s new IP Future Chicken—an eco-focused project that WSS plans to launch initially as a 16 x 12-minute mixed-media series, a podcast and a Roblox game. Developed and produced in partnership with Ontario Water Centre, Future Chicken stars a plucky poultry explorer who travels back in time to tell today’s kids how their efforts to protect the environment are safeguarding the future. 

Redfern will be looking for ways to expand WSS’s presence in the kids industry and turn Future Chicken and other kids projects the studio is working on into profitable franchises. 

She’s no stranger to brand-building. Before joining Wind Sun Sky, Redfern was global head of brand at 24 Watts, leading content strategy and expanding the studio’s Cozmo & Friends property into an animated series for YouTube and a Roblox game. Prior to that, she was head of brand at BBC Children’s & Education for eight years, overseeing live events, consumer products launches and opening a CBeebiesLand Theme Park and Hotel in 2017. She has also served in marketing and media consultant roles at companies such as WWE and Disney Branded Television.

Redfern joined WSS in July and is based in Vancouver. She reports to CEO Catherine Winder. 

Productivity Media acquired a minority stake in Wind Sun Sky in August 2022, and the companies have pacted to make kids and family content together. WSS hired former Nickelodeon Animation manager Antonia Gutierrez in April as its first director of development to specifically work on new projects.