Author: Primary Administrator

Posted on by Primary Administrator

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to work in children’s television.

Welp, I was born in Sao Miguel, Azores (Portugal), and my family immigrated to Canada in 1988. The first thing my older sister, Sandra, did when we got here was plop me down in front of an old black and white television and tuned the station to PBS so I could watch Sesame Street. She was adamant that I learn English as soon as possible, and Sesame Street really helped with that.

I was always a goofy kid. I loved acting out scenes in movies, coming up with funny characters, doing impressions, and I had a passion for art and drawing. In the 8th grade (or grade 8 as it’s known in Canada), I was informed that the local College was offering an animation program, and it struck me that I could combine all these interests and goofy habits into a possible career! So, I went on to eventually graduate from said program and moved to Toronto in 2008, landing my first job as an animator at 9Story Media Group. From there, I was able to work on lots of exciting projects from preschool to adult for a number of different studios, eventually ending up in my current role as Animation Director!

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?

I grew up on a mix of wholesome learning from shows like Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, mixed with a heaping dose of action from shows like Masters of the Universe and my ultimate favorite, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I was obsessed with those funny, cool, half-shelled dudes! When I got a bit older (not by much), I was really molded by The Simpsons. Specifically seasons 1-10, which I consider some of the best television ever made!

Describe your role on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

As the Animation Director on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, my job is to push the quality of animation and the acting/emotional delivery that the characters on screen share with the home viewer. I work very closely alongside the series director, Tammy Langton, to make sure we’re delivering the best visual examples of the story points and pushing the acting far enough. I get to work with a big team of extremely talented animators, supervisors, and artists in a fun, collaborative environment. We’re always striving for better, and not to spoil anything…but this new upcoming season of DTN, we’ve really raised the bar and can’t wait to share it with everyone!

What is your favorite episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood?

I’ve been on the show since the pilot episode, so this is a tricky question! I will say, my favorite type of episode is when we push the envelope and tackle a more emotional issue. The COVID special that we did comes to mind, as well as “Daniel’s Fish Dies” as it was a very impactful episode. I actually lost a pet while working on it, so it always resonated with me. I’m also extremely proud of what we made with the new DTN movie that just aired, “Daniel Visits a New Neighborhood.” We worked really hard on it and pushed the style and look so much that I think we really made something special!

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I love going for hikes in nature, and over the last few years I’ve gotten really into mountain biking! But lately, my wife Samantha and I have been prepping the house (and our lives) for the delivery of our daughter who is due in mid-July! We’re stepping into parenthood for the first time. It’s been exciting, scary, and emotional already. It’s nice to know that I have an entire library of Daniel episodes to help us navigate raising our little lady. We’re both so excited to meet her!

Posted on by Primary Administrator

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to work in children’s television.

As a child, I was fascinated by the world around me. The ability to recreate or re-interpret our environment was something I naturally gravitated towards. Growing up drawing and painting, and building dioramas, I discovered a joy for creating imaginary worlds. As I pursued a career in advertising, I found myself attracted to work that allowed me to use this approach on a larger scale. Thankfully, I found a home with Donkey Hodie where I can really expand on a wonderful world of curiosity.

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?

My favorite and certainly the most influential TV show for myself as a child would be Sesame Street. I was captivated by the enthusiastic puppets and the look of a practical textured world. Sesame Street was the place I wanted to live!

Describe your role on Donkey Hodie.

As the Production Designer for Donkey Hodie, I lead the process of creating the look and feel of the land of Someplace Else. I design our locations and props, then I get to work with a very talented team to bring the world to life. Because the puppets cannot actually hold an item or walk on the ground, we are constantly finding new and creative solutions to allow the puppeteer to get the most out of their performance.

What is your favorite episode of Donkey Hodie?

There are so many fun episodes of Donkey Hodie that it’s hard to choose, but I’d have to say “Poetry Problem.” It was a joy to imagine and a challenge to create the big mess our pals Donkey and Purple Panda may have made inside Donkey's windmill.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

When I am not working on Donkey Hodie, I enjoy being out in nature or outside exploring our neighborhood with my children. As a father of two young boys, I remain forever curious and surprised. Often, I feel as if I’m living with a couple of our silly puppet characters!

Posted on by Primary Administrator

Pittsburgh, PA, May 24, 2022 – Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s educational media organization behind multiple Emmy®-winning PBS KIDS series, and 9 Story Brands, the worldwide licensing agent for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, are again expanding the ”Neighborhood” for the beloved hit animated series with 16 new and existing licensing partners. The upcoming product offerings will span multiple categories, from apparel to books, sporting goods to food and beverages, and more. In addition to signing exciting new deals, Fred Rogers Productions and 9 Story have finalized contract renewals with master publishing partner Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing as well as current licensees Cottage Door Press (sound books), Happy Threads (apparel), Komar (pajamas), Playmonster (Colorforms), and University Games (games).

“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood continues to be a favorite with preschoolers and their families nearly a decade after making its on-screen debut, and our consumer products program has been growing steadily to meet demand for more ways for fans to experience the brand off-screen,” said Matt Shiels, Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs for Fred Rogers Productions. “We’re very excited to work with these outstanding companies to provide terrific new products that will deepen kids’ connection to the brand.”

“As we celebrate Daniel Tiger’s 10th anniversary, it’s exciting to see the demand for our consumer products program continue to grow,” says Kyra Halperin, co-VP of Consumer Products for 9 Story Brands. “We’re thrilled to be working with leading partners on such a diverse range of products to bring kids their favorite tiger in new and meaningful ways.”

New consumer products partners for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood include:

  • CreateOn – Magnatiles magnetic toys
  • Glo – Sensory toys
  • Good2Grow – Consumables, drinks
  • Isaac Morris – Apparel
  • PACT – Apparel
  • Pioneer Life Sciences – Vitamins
  • Spirit – Kohl’s Cares plush
  • Tonies – Audio toy, which has been named to the Spring & Summer 2022 Influencer Choice List by The Toy Association and Clamour
  • Waloo Products – Sporting goods
  • Weatherman – Umbrellas

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is distributed in 180+ countries and has expanded beyond the screen to include more than 40 licensees, two live-action stage shows, and an amusement park ride plus award-winning web games, top-rated apps for parents and children, and outreach events with public television stations across the country. In February 2022, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood was the #1 PBS KIDS show for kids ages 2-8 across broadcast and digital with over 47 million streams on the PBS KIDS Video app. *

*TV Source: Nielsen National Toolbox NTI Broadcast months, GAA%, Reach% (75% Uni, 1+ Qual.). Telecast counts from Carriage 2.0. Digital Sources: comScore visitors and Google Analytics streams, Selected months 2020- 2021, 2021-2022

About Fred Rogers Productions
Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program and extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated children’s series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods, have earned 30 Emmy® Awards among other important honors. Newly launched in 2021 on PBS KIDS is Donkey Hodie, the innovative puppet series inspired by characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; and most recently Alma’s Way, an animated series created by Sonia Manzano, known to generations of children and adults as “Maria” on Sesame Street. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About 9 Story Brands
9 Story Brands is the dedicated brand management and consumer products division of 9 Story Media Group, a leading content creator, producer and distributor of kids and family focused intellectual property. 9 Story Brands builds international entertainment brands for kids, with expertise across creative, brand marketing and licensing. 9 Story Brands manages merchandising rights for top children’s properties including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Clifford The Big Red Dog, Colorforms, Wild Kratts, Super Why! and Karma’s World. www.9story.com

# # #

Press contacts:
Grand Communications (for Fred Rogers Productions) Alison Grand
212-584-1133; Alison@grandcommunications.com

Laura Liebeck
845-440-7974; Laura@grandcommunications.com

Posted on by Primary Administrator

Pittsburgh, PA, May 12, 2022 – Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s educational media organization behind multiple well-loved, Emmy®-winning PBS KIDS series, has tapped Scholastic as worldwide master publishing partner for Alma’s Way, the critically-acclaimed animated PBS KIDS series created by Sonia Manzano (Sesame Street). The multi-year agreement includes a range of readers and activity books in both English and Spanish, which will begin publishing in spring 2023.

“We are delighted to partner with Scholastic, the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, and welcome them to the Alma’s Way family,” said Matt Shiels, VP of Business and Legal Affairs, Fred Rogers Productions. “The upcoming Alma’s Way titles will provide engaging stories and creative activities that will allow children to fully immerse themselves in Alma’s world.”

“We can’t wait to bring the wonderful role model, Alma, to young readers everywhere with Fred Rogers Productions and the inspirational Sonia Manzano,” said Debra Dorfman, VP and Publisher, Scholastic Global Licensing, Brands & Media. “In every story, children will relate to the everyday issues Alma faces and learn from her thoughtful reasoning as she thinks her way through life's ups and downs.”

Through the new partnership, Scholastic will have exclusive rights to multiple formats, including: 8x8s; leveled readers; board books; jacketed hardcover picture books; novelty, activity, and sticker books; phonics and bind-ups/box sets; e-books; and audiobooks. In addition, Scholastic holds non-exclusive rights to sticker and activity books outside the U.S.

Aimed at viewers ages 4-6, Alma’s Way follows 6-year-old Alma Rivera, a proud, confident Puerto Rican girl, who lives in the Bronx with her parents, Abuelo, and younger brother, Junior, as well as a diverse group of close-knit and loving friends, family, and community members. Each episode models self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and empathy, while encouraging kids to generate and value their own ideas and questions. The series’ 40 half-hour episodes showcase different aspects of Latino culture through music, food, language, and more.

Alma’s Way is created by Sonia Manzano, best known to generations of kids and families as “Maria” on Sesame Street, and produced by Fred Rogers Productions in association with Pipeline Studios (Elinor Wonders Why). Ellen Doherty and Manzano are executive producers. Jorge Aguirre (Goldie & Bear) is head writer and co-executive producer. Additional co- executive producers are Luis Lopez and Juan Lopez. Supervising Producer for Fred Rogers Productions is Olubunmi Mia Olufemi.

About Scholastic

For more than 100 years, Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) has been encouraging the personal and intellectual growth of all children, beginning with literacy. Having earned a reputation as a trusted partner to educators and families, Scholastic is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, a leading provider of literacy curriculum, professional services, and classroom magazines, and a producer of educational and entertaining children's media. The Company creates and distributes bestselling books and e- books, print and technology-based learning programs for pre-K to grade 12, and other products and services that support children's learning and literacy, both in school and at home. With 15 international operations and exports to 165 countries, Scholastic makes quality, affordable books available to all children around the world through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom libraries, school and public libraries, retail, and online. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.

About Fred Rogers Productions

Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program and extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated children’s series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods, have earned 30 Emmy® Awards among other important honors. Newly launched in 2021 on PBS KIDS is Donkey Hodie, the innovative puppet series inspired by characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; and most recently Alma’s Way, an animated series created by Sonia Manzano, known to generations of children and adults as “Maria” on Sesame Street. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Press contacts:

Grand Communications (for Fred Rogers Productions)
Alison Grand
212-584-1133; Alison@grandcommunications.com

Laura Liebeck
845-440-7974; Laura@grandcommunications.com

Naomi Duttweiler (for Scholastic)
212-965-7237; NDuttweiler@Scholastic.com

Posted on by Primary Administrator

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to work in children's television.

In fact, Odd Squad started it all. I was mostly doing music for sitcoms and other grown-up things before that. I became friends with (series creator and executive producer) Tim McKeon, and he invited me to do music for the Odd Squad pilot, based on the fact that I said, “Hey Tim, I do music for TV.” He's a pretty trusting guy. I'll go out on a limb and say I don't think he regrets it.

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?

I was definitely a PBS kid. There's a ton of Sesame Street, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, The Electric Company, and Villa Alegre rattling around in my head to this day. Joe Raposo (Sesame Street) and Fred Rogers and Johnny Costa (Mister Rogers' Neighborhood) totally broke the mold when it came to music for kids' TV. Kids are more sophisticated listeners than people think, and those composers never underestimated them.

Describe your role on Odd Squad.

I write the music. There are one or two great bits of music that I didn't write, like the Delivery Debbie jingle (I love that one!), but every other time you hear music on the show, it came from me. Sometimes when a script is a little short, Tim will call me and say, “How about we just put a song in there?” That's where “Potato Song” came from, I think.

What is your favorite episode of Odd Squad?

I don't know if this counts as an episode, but my hands-down favorite is Odd Squad: The Movie. I got to do a big score for that, along with a couple of Soundcheck songs and some other fun stuff. Plus, it's a good movie!

In terms of regular episodes, I'd probably go with “Training Day.”

What do you like to do when you're not working?

I like to read, hang with my wife and kids, and visit out-of-town family when I can. I like to build things, so sometimes I'll tackle some home improvement. What I need to get better at is doing nothing. I have a long way to go on that one.

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Pittsburgh, PA, March 24, 2022 – Donkey Hodie, the hit puppet series from Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures, has been greenlit for a second season on PBS KIDS. The series is produced by Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s educational media organization behind multiple well-loved, Emmy®-winning PBS KIDS series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and Spiffy Pictures, the award-winning production company behind many acclaimed series for kids and families, including PBS KIDS’ Emmy®-nominated animated hit Nature Cat. Inspired by original characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Donkey Hodie is a social-emotional learning series for kids ages 3-5 that empowers viewers to dream big and overcome obstacles through practicing skills including resilience, persistence, and problem solving. Season 2 of the imaginative series is expected to premiere in spring 2023 on PBS KIDS.

“Woven into every light-hearted Donkey Hodie story is the central theme of resilience, which is an essential skill for children — and it’s one that can be learned,” said Ellen Doherty, Chief Creative Officer for Fred Rogers Productions, who developed the show and serves as an executive producer. “Donkey and her pals model positivity and persistence through stories focusing on being flexible and adapting to change, cooperating with your friends, managing big feelings, and more. Giving young children examples of how to overcome obstacles is especially important now given the unique challenges of the last two years.”

“We are excited to tell more silly, surprising, and endearing stories as we dive deeper into these beloved characters’ backstories and introduce kids and their families to some new neighbors and locales of the whimsical world of Someplace Else,” said Adam Rudman and David Rudman, Co-Founders of Spiffy Pictures, who created the show and serve as executive producers.

“Since its premiere last year, Donkey Hodie has brought engaging stories full of fun, humor, and important life lessons to kids across the country, helping them to see a world of possibilities,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Children’s Media and Education, PBS. “We couldn’t be happier to bring a second season of adventures from Donkey and her friends to PBS KIDS.”

Season 2 of Donkey Hodie will feature 25 half-hour episodes including two specials. This season will introduce viewers to new pals and locations in Someplace Else, a world where everyone is welcome and can pursue their big dreams. They’ll also learn more about the series’ main characters, Donkey Hodie, Purple Panda, Duck Duck, and Bob Dog. The new season will explore all-new stories while modeling and practicing key learning goals, including empathy, perspective-taking, understanding and managing feelings, and more.
Inspired by the funny, quirky side of children’s television pioneer Fred Rogers, Donkey Hodie is set in the whimsical land of Someplace Else. The imaginative puppet series follows the adventures of Donkey Hodie, an enthusiastic and charming go-getter who takes on each day with curiosity and resilience, and her pals: Purple Panda, her loyal and empathetic best friend who wears his big heart on his sleeve; Duck Duck, a practical, quick-witted young mallard who loves to figure things out; and Bob Dog, an energetic and eager canine who is always ready to fetch a ball or boogie to music.

In January 2022, Donkey Hodie was the #2 PBS KIDS series with Kids 2-8 and also
reached 2.4 million parents of young children.* The series has earned nominations for a
2021 Television Critics Association Award (Outstanding Achievement in Youth
Programming); 2021 Kidscreen Award (Best Website: Digital - Preschool); and 2022 Writers Guild of America Award (Children’s Episodic, Long Form, and Specials).

Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing is the publishing partner for the series with a wide
range of books that began rolling out in December 2021. Licensing Street, the U.S. licensing agent for the brand, is also developing a full-scale merchandising program for Donkey Hodie. The debut range of toys from Jada Toys, the series’ master toy licensee, is set to begin arriving at retail next spring. Additionally, the first Donkey Hodie album, “Here Comes Donkey Hodie,” in partnership with Warner Music Group’s Arts Music division, will debut on April 8, 2022. The album will be available on all digital platforms and features 16 tracks from the series, including the theme song as well as three reimagined Fred Rogers songs from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

Donkey Hodie is created by Adam Rudman and David Rudman, Co-Founders of Spiffy Pictures, and developed by Ellen Doherty, Chief Creative Officer of Fred Rogers Productions. Executive producers are Ellen Doherty, Adam Rudman, and David Rudman. Supervising Producers are Kristin DiQuollo (Fred Rogers Productions) and Caroline Bandolik (Spiffy Pictures).

* Source: Nielsen National Toolbox NTI Broadcast months, GAA%, Reach% (75% Uni, 1+ Qual.).

About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS believes the world is full of possibilities, and so is every child. As the number one educational media brand for kids, PBS KIDS helps children ages 2-8 learn lessons that last a lifetime. Through media and community-based programs, PBS KIDS wants children to see themselves uniquely reflected and celebrated in lovable, diverse characters who serve as positive role models, and to explore their feelings and discover new adventures along the way. Families can stream PBS KIDS for free anytime, no subscription required. A large collection of mobile apps and pbskids.org provide accessible content that spark kids’ curiosity. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn and grow – including their teachers and caregivers, parents, and community – providing resources accessible anytime and anywhere. For more information, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Spiffy Pictures
Founded in 2003 by brothers David Rudman and Adam Rudman, Spiffy Pictures is a creative development and production company specializing in family entertainment. The awardwinning team has created, produced, written and directed live-action and animated projects for Nickelodeon, Disney, MTV, Comedy Central, Sesame Street and Warner Brothers. Their projects include the Emmy®-nominated and Environmental Media Award-winning hit animated series Nature Cat for PBS KIDS, the Emmy and Prix Jeunesse- nominated Jack’s Big Music Show for Nick Jr., the Emmy®-nominated Bunnytown for Disney and Nick Jr.’s Parents’ Choice Award-winning Curious Buddies. The company’s additional credits include Scooby- Doo! Adventures: The Mystery Map, a puppet adaption of Scooby-Doo! for Warner Brothers, and Frankie and Frank for Nick Worldwide. For more information, visit www.spiffypictures.com.

About Fred Rogers Productions
Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program and extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated children’s series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods, have earned 30 Emmy® Awards among other important honors. Newly launched in 2021 on PBS KIDS is Donkey Hodie, the innovative puppet series inspired by characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; and most recently Alma’s Way, an animated series created by Sonia Manzano, known to generations of children and adults as “Maria” on Sesame Street. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

# # #

Press contacts:
Grand Communications (for Fred Rogers Productions)
Alison Grand
212-584-1133; Alison@grandcommunications.com

Laura Liebeck
845-440-7974; Laura@grandcommunications.com

Dana Green (for Spiffy Pictures)
310-738-6802; dgreenpr@gmail.com

Posted on by Primary Administrator

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to work in children’s television.

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. When I was younger, I was always drawing, painting, building with Legos, reading comic books, and watching cartoons. Lots and lots of cartoons. Now that I think about it, this description applies to me today! The only difference is now I have a degree in Television and Film and 15 years of experience in children’s television.

After I graduated from college, I moved to Australia and attended Sydney Film School, which is where I discovered my love of producing. I liked being involved in every step of the production.

I moved back to Chicago and started working at a company that produced a series for Nick Toons called Edgar and Ellen and that’s when I realized—hey, wait a minute! I could work on the one thing that I love the most - cartoons!

From there, I moved to Boston and worked at WGBH on shows like Martha Speaks and Arthur. Eventually, I knew I would end up back in Chicago. I was lucky enough to connect with Spiffy Pictures and have loved my job every day since working on shows like Nature Cat and Donkey Hodie.

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?

I’ve never had just one favorite. I loved Woody Woodpecker, Inspector Gadget, Tiny Toons, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Ducktales, Fraggle Rock, The Smurfs, Muppet Babies…pretty much any show that made me laugh. I would come home from school, get my snack of Chef Boyardee Ravioli or Spaghetti O’s and my patented dessert of peanut butter with a handful of chocolate chips all covered in a heaping spoonful of powdered sugar, and plop myself right in front of the TV. How is it that I only got my first cavity when I was in my 20s?

When I was really little, I loved Sesame Street, Lamb Chop’s Play-Along, and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (which started my obsession with factories).

Describe your role on Donkey Hodie.

As a supervising producer, I oversee production from the idea of a show all the way to getting the show ready to air. I work closely with the head writer, director, crew, and the post-production team to help keep them on track and support them along the way. It takes a lot of people to make Donkey Hodie, and I’m lucky to work with so many creative and smart people.

The coolest part of my job is that it’s both creative and strategic. I spend most of my days planning and problem solving with a lot of creativity throughout. I love seeing the final finished episodes knowing all the work that went into it and that I was part of making it happen. It’s really motivating to know that the shows I have helped make are seen all over the world.

What is your favorite episode of Donkey Hodie?

“Donkey’s Bad Day” is hands down my favorite episode from start to finish. The “Cheer Yourself Up” song truly works! I’m happy to get that song stuck in my head any day.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I love spending my free time with my partner, Maggie, and my family and friends. Also, lots of hours are spent snuggling my cat, Aussie, and watching TV. I love exploring new places, especially restaurants, and going to the movies.

Posted on by Primary Administrator

Pittsburgh, PA, March 16, 2022 – Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s educational media organization behind Emmy®-winning PBS KIDS series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, has partnered with Warner Music Group’s Arts Music division to release the music from Donkey Hodie, the hit preschool series on PBS KIDS. The series is inspired by the funny, quirky side of children’s television pioneer Fred Rogers and showcases reimagined music and characters from the beloved Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. “Here Comes Donkey Hodie” will be available on all digital platforms on April 8. The new release is available for presave now and will be available to pre-order starting March 18 with two songs, “Donkey Hodie (Theme Song)” and “You’ve Got to Do It,” also available to stream on March 18. Series music director, Grammy®, Emmy® and Tony® Award-winning composer Bill Sherman (In the Heights, Hamilton, Sesame Street), produced the album.

“We are very excited to bring the joyful music of Donkey Hodie to kids and families everywhere,” said Matt Shiels, Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs, Fred Rogers Productions. “Warner Music Group’s Arts Music division and Bill Sherman have been instrumental in helping to reinforce the can-do spirit of the series while furthering the music and positive messages of Fred Rogers for today’s generation of young listeners.”

“There is so much to love about these songs and so much love in them. Not only do they encourage kids to be persistent, curious, and creative, but they sound amazing and are full of joy,” said Andrea Craig, Senior Vice President, Warner Music Group’s Arts Music division. “Donkey Hodie songs are really for all of us who try every day to do hard things, and grown-ups will love them, too. It’s a privilege to work alongside the team at Fred Rogers Productions to bring them to the world.”

“Donkey Hodie prioritizes music as an integral part of the series’ storytelling, just as Fred Rogers did in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. It is an honor to build upon his legacy and to have the opportunity to incorporate new ideas, voices, and a variety of musical genres to create a seamless sound that is distinctly ours,” said Sherman. “I am thrilled to collaborate with Fred Rogers Productions and Warner Music Group’s Arts Music division to make the music of Donkey Hodie available to kids everywhere.”

The new album features 16 tracks, including the series theme song as well as three original Fred Rogers songs from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood – “You’ve Got to Do It,” “Today is New,” and “I Like to Take My Time” – with new compositions and arrangements by Sherman for Donkey Hodie. Adam Rudman and David Rudman, Co-Founders of Spiffy Pictures, which produces Donkey Hodie with Fred Rogers Productions, also penned the lyrics to several songs, including “Let’s Imagine” and “Art Show Today” (David Rudman) and “Feeling Groovy” (Adam Rudman). Numbers on the album are performed by the cast of the series including Haley Jenkins (Donkey Hodie), Frankie Cordero (Purple Panda), Stephanie D’Abruzzo (Duck Duck, Harriett Elizabeth Cow), and David Rudman (Bob Dog, Grampy Hodie).

The news of the album coincides with the rollout of new Donkey Hodie episodes, premiering every Friday in March on PBS KIDS and featuring a song from the new release.

“Here Comes Donkey Hodie” was produced by Sherman, and all songs were mixed by Tyler Hartman, except the Donkey Hodie theme song, which was mixed by Greg Wells. The album was mastered by Matthew Agoglia of The Ranch Mastering, NY.

During the first 20 days of its May 2021 premiere, Donkey Hodie content generated 32.6 million streams, the most for any PBS KIDS series launch in the past five years. On-air, the series posted the highest Kids 2-8 ratings and reach of any PBS KIDS series during its premiere week, reaching 2.7 million TV viewers.* More recently, Donkey Hodie was the #2 PBS KIDS series with Kids 2-8 and also reached 2.4 million parents of young children in January 2022.**

Donkey Hodie is an imaginative puppet series following the adventures of Donkey Hodie, an enthusiastic and charming go-getter who takes on each day with curiosity and resilience, and her pals Purple Panda, Duck Duck, and Bob Dog. Set in the whimsical land of Someplace Else, the social-emotional series is designed to empower children ages 3-5 to dream big and overcome obstacles in their own lives, to work hard and persevere in the face of failure, to be resourceful and discover they can solve problems on their own—and to laugh themselves silly along the way. Donkey Hodie is produced by Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures. The series is created by Adam Rudman and David Rudman of Spiffy Pictures and developed by Ellen Doherty, Chief Creative Officer of Fred Rogers Productions. Executive Producers are Doherty, Adam Rudman, and David Rudman.

*Source: Nielsen NPOWER L+7, 5/3-5/9/2021, R&F, Std wk unif, 1+ min.]
** Source: Nielsen National Toolbox NTI Broadcast months, GAA%, Reach% (75% Uni, 1+ Qual.).

About Warner Music Group’s Arts Music
Since its launch in 2017, Warner Music Group’s Arts Music division has rapidly expanded their Kids & Family content, partnering with Sesame Workshop, Mattel, Skyship Entertainment for Super Simple Songs, Fred Rogers Productions for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Build-A-Bear Workshop, and Cloudco Entertainment for Holly Hobbie. Arts Music is also the home of the Warner Classics and Erato labels for classical music and Sh KBoom/Ghostlight Records for musical theater.

About Fred Rogers Productions
Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program and extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated children’s series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods, have earned 30 Emmy® Awards among other important honors. Newly launched in 2021 on PBS KIDS is Donkey Hodie, the innovative puppet series inspired by characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; and most recently Alma’s Way, an animated series created by Sonia Manzano, known to generations of children and adults as “Maria” on Sesame Street. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Press contacts:
Grand Communications (for Fred Rogers Productions)

Alison Grand
212-584-1133; Alison@grandcommunications.com

Laura Liebeck
845-440-7974; Laura@grandcommunications.com

Posted on by Primary Administrator

Tell us about yourself and how your career led you to work in children’s television.

I’m a third generation New Yorker, born and raised in Flushing, Queens. I grew up within a one-mile radius of most of my extended family, so there was a lot of loud, rambunctious family time. But being with them is where I learned about the importance and impact of storytelling and shared experiences. Nothing can silence a dinner of 18 like a good story that will make you cry or laugh until your stomach hurts.

My love of children’s television started when I saw my younger cousins pretending to be their favorite characters. Watching them explore the world through fantasy led me to a Master’s Degree in Child Development. And from there I got a job as the Research and Executive Assistant for the show Dora the Explorer. The first time I went to on-site story testing and witnessed a preschooler dance and sing along with the screen, I knew I was exactly where I belonged.

What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?

I grew up with one tv in the house and no cable. Being the youngest, I watched whatever anyone else was watching. My favorites ranged from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to MacGyver (the original version), but the show that stood out the most was Captain Planet. At the time, there wasn’t another animated series that had a character that looked like me, so I studied Gi’s every move and lived fantastically through her adventures of saving the planet. Of course, whenever my friends and I would play Planeteers, I always insisted on being “Water!”

Describe your role on Alma’s Way.

As the Story Editor, I get to spend my day diving into the amazing mind and life of Alma and all the characters that make up her world! One of the most fun parts of my job is getting to listen to the stories of Creator/EP, Sonia Manzano. Many of our story ideas and episodic themes come from experiences in Sonia’s actual life! I also work closely with our Head Writer/Co-EP, Jorge Aguirre, and the wonderful and talented writers that help tell Alma’s stories. Together we come up with story ideas, which then get written into scripts. In my role, I make sure every detail stays true to Sonia’s vision and to the voice and world of Alma.

What is your favorite episode of Alma’s Way?

This is a hard one! There’s something in every story that makes me smile and laugh. If I haaave to choose…the stories that make New York City come to life and make the city feel like its own character in the series are so special to me. Stories like “Lost in the Bronx” and “Singing on the 6 Train” showcase so many of the things I love about New York City, and they make me excited to share Alma’s experience of growing up in the Bronx with kids everywhere.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I will take any opportunity I can to be outdoors. I love to camp, hike, climb, and snowboard. If it involves trees, water, mountains, or fresh air – I’m in! Recently, I also started to play tennis and have been taking advantage of the public courts in my neighborhood.

Posted on by Primary Administrator

Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s entertainment company behind the well-loved, Emmy®-winning PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad, and Peg + Cat as well as the newest hits, Donkey Hodie and Alma’s Way, has named Aleya Crable Jennings Director of Corporate Sponsorships and Individual Giving. Jennings, who reports to company President and CEO Paul Siefken, will direct corporate and individual fundraising efforts to help Fred Rogers Productions continue to realize its education and social missions.

“Aleya is an accomplished professional with extensive experience orchestrating multifaceted campaigns and innovative solutions for clients,” said Siefken. “I’m looking forward to working with her to build upon our relationships with corporate sponsors and donors in support of our work for children and families.”

“I’m so excited to be part of the ‘Neighborhood,’” said Jennings. “I’ve long admired Fred Rogers Productions for its quality programming that has been such an important part of children’s lives for generations. I’m thrilled to join the organization and help ensure that its programming and community outreach initiatives continue to serve kids and families everywhere.”

In her new role, Jennings is responsible for both corporate sponsorships and individual giving programs. She will assist Siefken in developing and implementing a comprehensive corporate sponsorship strategy as well as cultivate and manage ongoing donor relationships, among other duties.

Prior to joining Fred Rogers Productions, Jennings was Associate Vice President, Group Account Director at Gatesman, a fully integrated, independent marketing communications agency. Before that, she was a senior marketing specialist at PNC, a financial services company. The award-winning Pittsburgh resident was among the 2021 40 Under 40 by Pittsburgh Magazine and the Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project (PUMP), an organization that aims to make Pittsburgh a dynamic and diverse community; and she was inducted into the 2019 40 Under 40 Who’s Next: Communicators class by Pittsburgh newsletter The Incline.

Jennings holds a Master of Arts in Women and Gender Studies from DePaul University, Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communication from Roosevelt University, and Bachelor of Science in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

About Fred Rogers Productions
Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program and extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated children’s series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods, have earned 30 Emmy® Awards among other important honors. Newly launched in 2021 on PBS KIDS is Donkey Hodie, the innovative puppet series inspired by characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; and most recently Alma’s Way, an animated series created by Sonia Manzano, known to generations of children and adults as “Maria” on Sesame Street. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

# # #

Press contacts:
Grand Communications (for Fred Rogers Productions) Alison Grand
212-584-1133; Alison@grandcommunications.com

Laura Liebeck
845-440-7974; Laura@grandcommunications.com