Boat Rocker Names Bob Higgins as EVP of Kids & Family Content

Boat Rocker Studios has promoted Bob Higgins to executive VP of content for its kids and family division.

Higgins had served as executive VP of FremantleMedia Kids & Family (FMK) for eight years. Following the acquisition of FMK last year, he joined Boat Rocker and has since overseen the creative direction of the acquired FMK programs, while also collaborating on Boat Rocker’s existing kids’ development slate and current productions.

In his new role, Higgins will lead a restructured kids and family content team that will see the merging of kids’ entertainment division Radical Sheep into Boat Rocker Studio’s Kids & Family. The newly combined production slate includes programs such as The Next Step, Remy & Boo, Kingdom Force, Danger Mouse and Bitz & Bob as well as multiple new projects.

Shaleen Sangha, recently promoted to Radical Sheep’s VP, will now report to Higgins, as will former FMK VP of development and production, Chapman Maddox.

Higgins will also oversee Boat Rocker’s co-productions with Industrial Brothers. Higgins is based in Boat Rocker’s New York office and will continue to report to Jon Rutherford, managing director and president of rights for Boat Rocker Studios.

Jam Filled Entertainment, Boat Rocker’s 2D and 3D animation studio, will continue to be led by its president, Kyle MacDougal, and fellow co-founders Jamie Leclaire and Phil Lafrance, remaining a separate operating entity from the Kids & Family original content team.

“Bob is a long-time champion of children’s programming and has made a significant impact since joining Boat Rocker last year,” said Rutherford. “His knowledge, skills, and incredible leadership will be an integral part of our business as we continue to build our portfolio of exceptional kids and family content.”

“We already have an amazing kids & family portfolio at Boat Rocker and I’m looking forward to tapping into all of the resources that exist here to expand that even further,” said Higgins. “My mandate is to blend the creative talent and philosophies within the Boat Rocker family…. amassing a stable of the best artists, writers and directors working today and helping them to develop some of the most original, creatively dynamic entertainment product in the marketplace.”