On the heels of bringing in new CEO Karen Miller in January and creative SVP Kristofer Updike last month, LA-based Hidden Pigeon Company is apparently still on a hiring spree to build a team that can turn Mo Willems’ books into much bigger franchises. 

Former Spin Master VP of global brand management and marketing Tori Cook (pictured left) has joined the growing company as SVP of franchise management, and will be charged with developing the short- and long-term strategies for content development, brand extensions and consumer products. She’ll no doubt work closely with newly signed global licensing agent Retail Monster.  Cook has also previously worked in executive retail development roles at Mattel, Saban Brands and Sanrio. 

In addition to shoring up consumer products leadership, HPC has contracted Paula Allen (pictured right) as a publishing consultant to help expand Willems’ work into more book formats and markets worldwide. As president of Screenland Literary Associates (a boutique literary, screenplay and media consulting agency she launched in 2005), Allen has established strong publisher connections that HPC should benefit from. She has worked in the book industry for more than 30 years, including a six-year stint as SVP of Nickelodeon Global Publishing, and has consulted on many book-to-screen adaptations. 

Allen and Cook will both report directly to Miller in their new roles with the company.