Treehouse and Wonder Pets duo launch Canadian kids indie

Former Treehouse chief Brenda Nietupski and Little Airplane boss Josh Selig are launching a new kids production company Little Tugboat. The pair have also received their first commission.

The Canadian indie production company is working with public broadcaster CBC on its first project, The Adventures of Napkin Man. The preschool series, which is both animated and live action, is a coproduction with Breakthrough Entertainment and Little Airplane. The show, which was created by The Wonder Pets’ Dr. Laura Brown, tells the story of a preschool teacher who draws a superhero for his students, which subsequently comes to life.

Nietupski was formerly director of programming, Treehouse and Discovery Kids Canada at Corus Entertainment and is president and director of Little Tugboat. Selig, founder and president of Little Airplane Productions will become VP and director. DHX Media president and chief operating officer Steven DeNure will sit on the board of the company.

“I’m excited to be joining forces with my friend Brenda to launch our Little Tugboat. Canada is the centre 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,” says Selig.