Bento Box Adds to Creative Team

The animation production house Bento Box Entertainment has made two key hires: Brooke Keesling has been named head of animation talent development and Caitlin Winiarski has been appointed creative executive.

In her newly created position, Keesling, reporting to Co-Founder and CEO Scott Greenberg and COO Brett Coker, will be responsible for the development and growth of artistic talent acquisition and internal artist relations. Keesling will scout diverse talent at art and animation conventions, festivals, comic-cons and other industry events. Additionally, she will foster relationships with top art and animation colleges and universities.

Winiarski, who will report to Bento Box Creative Director Ben Jones, will seek out and assess pilot proposals, scripts and pitches and identify relevant source material for development from established and emerging talent. Both executives are based in Bento Box’s Los Angeles headquarters.

Keesling has worked in the animation and VFX industries for decades as an artist, in production, education and talent development. Over the years, she has recruited animation talent for Cartoon Network, Disney Television Animation and Warner Bros., among others. She has produced several films, including the Academy Award-winning animated short Boobie Girl. She has also worked in practical and miniature visual effects on various films, such as Inception, Hugo, The Dark Knight and The Aviator.

Prior to joining Bento Box, Winiarski worked as the creative executive in television at Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez Productions, where she focused on developing projects from up-and-coming and diverse comedic voices.

“With the business continuing to evolve and platforms’ demand for quality animated content expands with it, now more than ever it is important to have a deep bench of and direct line to the best talent in the space,” said Greenberg. “And as we strategically grow our output to broadcast, cable and streaming platforms, Brooke and Caitlin’s unique backgrounds, longstanding relationships and creative vision will play an important role in keeping Bento Box the premier destination for established and up-and-coming talent to do their best work.”