Cake hires Aardman, ITV alum

UK kids’ production and distribution outfit Cake has appointed a former Aardman Animations and ITV children’s producer as VP of production.

Rob Doherty

Rob Doherty has joined London-based Cake to support its rising number of coproduction projects and will work closely with CEO and creative director Tom van Waveren and VP creative Emily Whinnett.

Doherty will oversee ongoing and future production partnerships including the forthcoming 2D animation Space Chickens in Space (52×11’), which will air on Disney EMEA as well as Nine Network and Disney in Australia, plus animated comedy Take it Easy Mike (78×7’), which is heading to Turner’s Boomerang.

Doherty brings 25 years of children’s TV experience to Cake, having worked at companies such as ITV, Disney and Larkshead Media as well as Aardman. He has developed and produced series for the international market and has helped with the recruitment of animation production teams.

“Cake has been ramping up its development and production slate over the last few years and so we are delighted to welcome Rob to the team,” said van Waveren. “He brings with him a depth of experience as well as a strong international network, which will be invaluable in consolidating Cake’s production partnerships on current and future shows.”

Doherty’s appointment comes off the back of a period of strong distribution for Cake, with animated preschool series Pablo being picked up in recent weeks by Netflix, ABC in Australia and National Geographic Kids in Latin America.