Kristofer Updike is settling into a new role as SVP of creative at Hidden Pigeon Company, where he will oversee the development of Mo Willems’ kids books into TV series and feature film concepts. 

Updike most recently served as VP of development for Peacock Kids and NBC Content, and he has developed and produced more than 900 half hours of animated and live-action content for kids and families over the course of his career, including shows such as Norman Picklestripes, The Floogals and Create the Escape.  

Reporting to Hidden Pigeon CEO Karen Miller, Updike will work with Willems and executive producer/showrunner Tim McKeon to mine a publishing catalogue of 71 children’s books written and illustrated by Willems—more than 50 of which are New York Times bestsellers—for adaptation projects. Willems’ Pigeon franchise (which has sold more than eight million copies in North America alone) and a 25-book Elephant & Piggie series are among the most promising IPs in the portfolio. 

Roughly a year old, Hidden Pigeon has been building its executive team in recent months. Miller, who was previously the CEO of Cyber Group’s US division, came on board in January.