Tricon hires Saperstein to run kids division

Tricon Films & Television has recruited Frank Saperstein to run its kids and family unit.

The US and Canada-based producer and distributor has been moving into the kids and family space in recent times and as executive VP, Saperstein will oversee production, programming and partnerships in this sector.

Tricon launched the kids and family division following the acquisition of Kavaleer Productions’ new animated series Wildernuts (pictured) last August.

Jon Rutherford, senior VP of distribution & business development has been running kids and family on an interim basis and as distribution chief will continue to oversee sales of the content coming out of the kids and family unit.

Ashely Rite will continue in her role as head of development at the Kids, Family & Animation division, jointly reporting to Saperstein and Rutherford.

“I am very proud of what Ashley and I have built to date, but it’s now time to take this division to the next level,” Rutherford said. “Frank has an unbelievable wealth of experience and a solid track record for building successful worldwide brands and alliances.”

Saperstein will be based in Tricon’s LA office and report to company president Andrea Gorfolova. Having been at Blueprint Entertainment he became senior VP of kids at eOne, when it absorbed the Canada-based indie. Post-eOne, he has been running his own kids business, Surprise Bag.

He said: “Andrea has assembled a brilliant and forward thinking team of executives who I am thrilled to take my place beside to lead the continued strategic growth of the Kids, Family and Animation division. Jon, Ashley and I form the nucleus of an awesome team and I look forward to continuing to do business with old and new friends alike.”