Ex-Corus Exec Starts Up New Kids’ Venture

TORONTO: Brenda Nietupski, a former director of programming at Treehouse and Discovery Kids Canada, has set up a venture for producing kids’ programming, with Josh Selig holding a stake in the new company.

Nietupski will lead Little Tugboat as president. Selig, founder and president of Little Airplane Productions, has an undisclosed interest in Little Tugboat and has been named VP and director of the company. The company’s first project is a live-action and animated show for preschoolers called The Adventures of Napkin Man. The project is currently for CBC in conjunction with Breakthrough Entertainment and Little Airplane. Little Tugboat will render animation services with the live-action elements of the pilot directed by J.J. Johnson of Sinking Ship Entertainment.

"Josh and I have similar perspectives on quality children’s programming," said Nietupski. "Our goal with Little Tugboat is to create the highest quality children’s content while building strong creative alliances among the most talented companies and individuals we know."

Selig added, "I’m excited to be joining forces with my friend Brenda to launch our Little Tugboat. Canada is the center of the universe when it comes to production and we look forward to Little Tugboat making some truly beautiful shows here, starting with The Adventures of Napkin Man."