Canada’s Wind Sun Sky makes key appointments before Future Chicken launch

Vancouver-based multimedia company Wind Sun Sky Entertainment (WSS) has made several key executive appointments as it gears up to launch its eco initiative Future Chicken, C21 has learned exclusively.

Robin Hays

The company has appointed independent filmmaker, producer and director Robin Hays as VP creative, kids. In the newly created role, Hays will oversee the strategic development and execution of WSS kids’ content spanning animation, live-action and hybrid projects.

Initially she will focus on Future Chicken, which is a multiplatform digital initiative designed to empower children to take action on climate change, though she will also support WSS’s renewed expansion of its existing multiplatform property Camp Bonkers.

Based in Vancouver, Hays will report to MD of kids, Jo Redfern, the BBC and Disney alum whose appointment was revealed last month.

Catherine Winder

First announced in June and set to launch this fall, the Future Chicken platform will feature a variety of entertainment and educational experiences, including a series called The Future Chicken Today Show that uses game-engine animation technology to allow the main character to interview young climate experts and celebrities about how to take positive steps to help the planet.

The initiative is spearheaded by WSS CEO Catherine Winder, who was formerly a top executive at LucasFilms, and Annabel Slaight, who is the founding chair of Ontario Water Centre and was the creator and founder of popular kids’ magazines Chickadee and Owl.

The company has also hired Bernice Vanderlaan in the role of Future Chicken Universe executive producer and head writer.

Bernice Vanderlaan

Vanderlaan, who has written for kids’ series including The Magic School Bus Rides Again (Netflix), Alma’s Way (PBS) and Nina’s World (NBCUniversal), initially joined WSS to develop the Future Chicken story bible in collaboration with Winder and Slaight.

In her new role, she will work alongside Winder, Slaight and Redfern to “ensure the many narrative extensions of the universe are produced in alignment with the project’s guiding principles, education and entertainment goals to bring eco-tainment fun and learning to kids,” said WSS. Vanderlaan is based in Toronto and will report to Winder.

Craig McGillivray

In addition, WSS has inked an exclusive distribution partnership with Toronto-based sales and production company 10Star Media, which is led by managing partner Craig McGillivray.

Through the deal, 10Star Media will take charge of Future Chicken’s multiplatform and format global sales, starting at Mip Junior and Mipcom later this month, in addition to representing several other WSS projects.