Following Kerry Novick’s retirement, The Jim Henson Company is calling in some help on its global sales efforts, in the form of a former Henson exec. The studio’s distribution group has partnered with New York consultancy Cookbook Media, bringing Henson’s former head of distribution Claudia Scott-Hansen (pictured right) back into its orbit. 

Scott-Hansen and her Cookbook co-founder Rob Bencal (pictured left) are now working with Henson to sell its existing titles, including Sid the Science Kid, Dinosaur Train and Splash and Bubbles. Their remit also includes supporting some new productions by securing co-pro and pre-sale partners. 

Henson’s COO and president Chris Lytton oversees the company’s distribution team, while Scott-Hanson and Stephanie Ogrodnik (manager of global distribution and sales) will represent the prodco at MIPJunior and MIPCOM in October. 

Scott-Hansen was Henson’s head of distribution from 2018 to 2020. Shortly after leaving the company, she started her Cookbook kids and family consultancy with Bencal, a former Mattel senior director. Cookbook’s client roster includes San Francisco-based studio Luminous Blue, Great Wolf Resorts’ content division Great Wolf Entertainment and Montreal-based Saturday Animation Studio.  

Claudia Scott-Hansen

“I am both honored and thrilled to collaborate once again with the extraordinary creative team at The Jim Henson Company,” Scott-Hansen tells Kidscreen. “For decades, their timeless classics and beloved children’s series have sparked imagination and joy across generations.  I look forward to expanding the network of international broadcast partners to bring these enduring stories to even wider audiences around the world.  Additionally, we are eager to forge new strategic partnerships to bring fresh, original projects to life, continuing the legacy of innovation and wonder that The Jim Henson Company embodies.”

Updated 08/23/2024 with Claudia Scott-Hansen’s most recent headshot and a quote.