By: Justin Anderson 

Vancouver-based production studio Wind Sun Sky Entertainment (WSS) has expanding its content team with the hire of Robin Hays to fill a new VP of kids creative position.

Hays is responsible for the strategic development and execution of all kids content, and will work on a number of projects spanning animation, live action and mixed media. She’ll initially focus on the conservation-themed IP Future Chicken (pictured), as well as contributing to the expansion of WSS’s Camp Bonkers multi-platform brand. Hays started last month and reports to Jo Redfern, who was also recently brought in as managing director of kids.

Prior to joining WSS, Hays was an independent filmmaker who directed Anthem of a Teenage Prophet and produced Neill Blomkamp’s shorts Alive in Joburg, Adicolor Yellow and Tempbot. She has produced marketing campaign content for companies such as Spin Master, Adidas and Honda.

Ahead of the global launch of a 16 x 12-minute series called The Future Chicken Today Show on YouTube later this year, WSS has also appointed Toronto-based 10Star Media as the property’s exclusive distribution agent. Managing partner Craig McGillivray will start this sales effort at MIP Junior and MIPCOM later this month.

And in other team news, writer Bernice Vanderlaan (Alma’s Way, Hero Elementary) has been promoted to executive producer and head writer on Future Chicken. Based in Toronto, Vanderlaan initially joined the company in early 2023 to develop the multi-platform IP’s story bible with co-creators Catherine Winder (WSS CEO and founder) and Annabel Slaight (OWL magazine co-founder).

Image courtesy of WSS

This story originally appeared in Kidscreen Daily‘s sister publication Playback Daily.