Bento Box builds new division

Bob’s Burgers producer Bento Box Entertainment has partnered with In the Night Garden creator Andrew Davenport and two former Nelvana execs to launch a kids and family division.

Andrew Davenport

Sutikki will develop, produce and distribute kids- and family-focused brands and content alongside Davenport’s UK-based production company Foundling Bird.

Davenport is also known as the co-creator of hit preschool franchise Teletubbies, of which he wrote all 365 original episodes before leaving his role as creative director at Anne Wood’s Ragdoll Productions in 2010.

Davenport later set up a joint venture focusing on children’s content with MasterChef owner Shine Group in 2012.

Sutikki will now be the primary production partner and global commercial product licensor for Davenport’s next series for young children, which will be announced shortly, Bento Box said.

Sutikki has been co-founded by Irene Weibel and Andrew Kerr, who recently served as VP and head of Corus Entertainment-owned Nelvana Studio and co-head of Nelvana Enterprises, respectively.

It marks the first time Bento Box, which is behind Fox’s hit comedy Bob’s Burgers, has entered the 2-11s marketplace.

Last year the US indie partnered with Canadian broadcaster Corus Entertainment to launch an animation production company in Toronto targeting the 18-34 demo.

“Andrew Davenport has had a storied career as one of the world’s most prolific creators of innovative and popular preschool content, and he is the ideal creative talent for us to partner with as we establish ourselves in the kids’ marketplace globally,” said Bento Box co-founder and CEO Scott Greenberg.