By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Hidden Pigeon Company (HPC) has appointed Tori Cook as its new SVP of franchise management and Paula Allen as its new publishing consultant.
Founded in early 2023 by children’s author Mo Willems, Stampede Ventures and RedBird Capital Partners, HPC is an entertainment media company that focuses on expanding Willems IP to reach new platforms and population demographics.
Willem’s portfolio of family-friendly IP includes a wide range of characters and stories such as the Pigeon, Unlimited Squirrels, Elephant & Piggie, Knuffle Bunny, Cat the Cat and more.
“Tori and Paula are recognized leaders in their respective fields and fantastic additions to our growing team of exceptional talent,” said Hidden Pigeon CEO, Karen K. Miller. “We are delighted to have both of these outstanding professionals onboard to help us extend our unique IP to an even broader audience of kids and former kids across multiple platforms and merchandise categories throughout the U.S. and around the world.”
In her role as SVP of Hidden Pigeon, Cook is now responsible for developing the company’s global expansion initiatives, consumer products programs and franchise opportunities on both a short-term and long-term basis.
This includes identifying, evaluating, planning, and pursuing IP development opportunities across a broad range of categories including animated content, social media, publishing, consumer products, gaming, live events, promotions and more.
Prior to joining HPC, Cook held executive leadership positions at a variety of global toy and entertainment companies like Spin Master, Mattel, Saban Brands and Sanrio.
During her time with these companies, she gained extensive industry experience in areas such as brand management, licensing, product development, retail, location-based entertainment, franchise expansion and marketing.
“I’m very excited to be joining HPC at this point in the company’s growth story,” said Cook. “There are so many opportunities to share Mo Willems’ wonderful and beloved characters with his large and loyal fan base, who already know and love The Pigeon, Elephant & Piggie, and Knuffle Bunny, and to introduce them to new fans. I look forward to helping to drive the growth of these enduring brands in creative new ways.”
As HPC’s new publishing consultant, Paula Allen has been tasked with extending the reach of Mo Willems’ intellectual properties through licensing partnerships with global entertainment companies and the company’s publishing partner, Union Square & Co.
Allen has more than 30 years of experience working in the global publishing industry through companies such as Nickelodeon, Barnes & Noble, Warner Bros. and her own literary and business consultation agency Screenland Literary Associates.
She specializes in offering consultation services to authors, screenplay writers, businesses and brand owners that are looking to develop and expand their IP into the international market.
Throughout her career, Allen has played a pivotal role in securing book deals for authors and facilitating numerous agreements for global literary licensing rights.
“I am so pleased to be working with Hidden Pigeon Company to further develop publishing opportunities for Mo Willems’s terrific library of books and charming and relatable characters,” said Allen. “Mo Willems has brought such brilliantly engaging stories to life for generations of young and young at heart readers and I look forward to working with Karen, Tori, and the whole HPC team to develop even more ways for consumers everywhere to engage with these book-based brands.”
Both Cook and Allen will report directly to Hidden Pigeon Company’s CEO, Karen K. Miller.
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