By: Katie Bailey & Ryan Tuchow

9 Story Media Group chief creative officer Angela Santomero is leaving the company to go back to her creative roots. 

The high-profile kids TV executive is best known for creating iconic shows such as Blue’s Clues & You! and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Santomero joined 9 Story in 2018 when it acquired Out of the Blue Enterprises, the company she co-founded with Samantha Freeman in 2005. 

“I’ve enjoyed my time at 9 Story,” says Santomero. “And after getting 14 shows greenlit in five years, I’m looking forward to continuing to create projects with my heart. My mission is to empower, challenge and build the self-esteem of kids and families, all while making them laugh.” 

Santomero will continue to consult for 9 Story and its studio Brown Bag Films, but is leaving to refocus on IP creation, according to 9 Story president and CEO Vince Commisso in a release. “She’s been an invaluable leader, creator and contributor to 9 Story, and her vision and passion have dramatically improved the creative quotient of the business.” 

Santomero is one of the industry’s most respected creators, and Blue’s Clues is hailed for its groundbreaking approach to interacting with its young audience. In a 2021 press release marking the IP’s 25th anniversary, Nickelodeon Animation president Ramsey Naito called Blue’s Clues “hands down, one of the most successful and critically acclaimed preschool TV shows in history…the series’ creativity, interactivity and inclusivity has stood the test of time.”

Daniel Tiger has been just as successful, winning a slew of awards for its practical and engaging approach to teaching kids basic life lessons (such as learning to go to the bathroom before you leave the house) and exploring emotional themes like death, intergenerational relationships and respect.  

In Santomero’s absence, creative oversight will shift to Wendy Harris, who has been promoted to SVP and head of creative affairs, reporting directly to Commisso.