A seasoned trade govt, O’Connell most not too long ago held the place of Director of Growth at Disney Jr. In his new function, he’ll lead the inventive growth of a dynamic lineup of kids’s programming, together with each animated and live-action sequence corresponding to The Kissing Hand and Monster Combine, together with reimaginings of beloved classics Sid the Science Child and Dinosaur Prepare.
O’Connell turns into a part of the Artistic Affairs workforce at The Jim Henson Firm, working alongside Tara Billik (VP of Function Movies), Delaney Shiokari (VP of Primetime Tv), and Tim O’Brien (Manufacturing Govt). The workforce additionally consists of in-house producers John Tartaglia, who serves as Artistic Supervisor for Fraggle Rock, and Halle Stanford, Co-Creator of the upcoming sequence Wowsabout. Brian Henson and Vince Raisa of Brian Henson Productions proceed to develop a strong slate of movie and TV tasks below the Firm’s banner.
Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Firm, shared her enthusiasm concerning the new addition:“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bryan over a number of years. It’s clear he has a deep understanding of and respect for creating partaking and entertaining content material for kids. Whether or not or not it’s wholly new worlds but to be found, or the beloved legacy worlds our audiences know and love, Bryan can be managing an bold and thrilling slate of exhibits for our subsequent technology of followers,” mentioned Lisa Henson.
Bryan O’Connell mentioned, “As a longtime admirer of The Jim Henson Firm and its iconic properties, I’ve appreciated the Firm’s common enchantment and enduring productions which have spanned generations. Moving into this new function, I’m grateful for the chance to develop a slate of stay motion and animated youngsters’s tasks, drawing from a worldwide neighborhood of creators and artists that share my dedication to proceed and develop this legacy of making entertaining and impactful content material for youths world wide.”
Earlier than becoming a member of The Jim Henson Firm, O’Connell spent a decade at The Walt Disney Firm, contributing throughout Disney Tv Animation, Walt Disney Imagineering, and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Most not too long ago, he led growth efforts at Disney Jr., guiding the creation of quite a few sequence, shorts, and specials for the preschool viewers. He additionally collaborated intently with Disney’s franchise division to increase properties into merchandise and stay occasions. His earlier expertise consists of roles at Silvergate Media, Sprout, Illumination, DreamWorks, and Sesame Workshop.
