June 11th, 2018 
Jerry Beck 
A team of highly acclaimed executives from Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and the worlds of advertising and publishing have announced the arrival of Curiosity Ink Media, an emerging family-friendly showcase offering a broad mix of original animation, live-action programming, reboots of iconic characters and shows, VR content, publishing and live theatrical entertainment slated to start rolling out across multiple platforms beginning early 2019. The formation of the Los Angeles-based company was officially unveiled today by Curiosity Ink Media’s founders and chief architects: Russell Hicks, the former Nickelodeon President of Production and Development, who will serve as President & Chief Creative Officer; and media entrepreneur and Struck agency creative executive,
Brent Watts, who will assume the role of the company’s Chief Design & Strategy Officer.
The executives tapped to lead development, branding, distribution and publishing ventures for the new enterprise include boldface industry names whose professional biographies are brimming with achievement. Hicks, who played a critical role in championing the wildly popular animated series, SpongeBob SquarePants (and Broadway’s leading 2018 Tony Awards nominee), is charged with identifying, developing and producing original content for the brand. Watts, owner and Executive Creative Director for Struck – the award-winning boutique advertising agency specializing in breakthrough design and digital engagement – will guide Curiosity Ink Media’s success through design, strategic alliances, partnership opportunities, content acquisitions and growth strategy. Award-winning writer and filmmaker, Michealene Cristini Risley – whose Silicon Valley successes include leading roles in gaming, app development, entertainment and consumer products, will serve as Chief Executive Officer. Longtime publishing veteran, Jon I. Rosenberg, has been named Executive Vice President, Publishing, a role in which he will lead the creation and publishing of all physical content.
“Attracting the most accomplished and respected professionals in entertainment, digital media, advertising and publishing to bring Curiosity Ink Media to life reflects our commitment to offering today’s kids and families premium entertainment experiences that reflect both their sensibilities as well as their passion for entertainment on a variety of platforms,” explains Hicks.
“When you combine Russell Hicks’ unmatched success in developing wildly successful television combined with Michealene Risley’s huge contributions to interactive entertainment and fuse them with Jon Rosenberg’s stellar reputation in publishing, you’ve nailed the recipe for a winning team,” adds Watts. “By capitalizing on this deep bench of executive leadership, Curiosity Ink Media is ready to deliver the type of top-shelf family-friendly entertainment today’s audiences crave.”
Curiosity Ink Media’s core mission is to deliver exceptional storytelling through fresh, new versions of treasured animated characters and properties, many of which have been dormant for years. The classic updates will be showcased alongside an array of new, original animation, live action and VR content to offer a wide range of entertainment options. Using groundbreaking technology, Curiosity Ink will streamline the animation process to significantly reduce production turnaround and continually fortify its platforms with fresh content, a must for today’s generation of fans. By leveraging a roster of accomplished behind-the-scenes talent, a deep media distribution network and strong relationships in the creative community, Curiosity Ink Media aims to bring safe, wholesome kids content squarely into the 21st century.
Over the next several months, the company is slated to unveil several production and partner deals as well as entertainment programming verticals – designed exclusively for kids and families – as content consumption continues its steady exodus from linear to digital platforms. Curiosity Ink Media will initially roll-out the verticals in the U.S. and Canada with international distribution shortly thereafter and the company is expected to announce the first of the updated properties to be developed in Fall 2018.
Additionally, Curiosity Books, the company’s publishing arm, will release six book titles this fall, with plans to ramp up to 24 titles per year beginning in Spring 2019. Book offerings include a broad mix of original children’s illustrated novels, picture books, non-fiction licensed board books, sticker activities, books-plus, and novelty formats.
As the company’s President and CCO, Russell Hicks brings an unmatched 25-year biography in kids and family entertainment to the role. In addition to his contributions to the success of SpongeBob SquarePants, as President of Production and Development at Nickelodeon, he was instrumental in cultivating several blockbuster hits including Dora the Explorer, Henry Danger, The Loud House and the revival of the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles. Earlier in his career, Hicks played major roles in the development of Teddy Ruxpin and the revival of the time-tested and beloved animated series, Scooby Doo.
As Curiosity Ink Media’s Creative Design & Strategy Officer, Brent Watts made his mark as Struck’ s Executive Creative Director through innovative solutions where he oversees the agency’s blue-chip and entertainment clientele such as AT&T, McDonald’s, Disney, Paramount Pictures, Sony Corp., Universal Pictures and DreamWorks. Watts’ talent has allowed him to utilize his multi-disciplinary skills where his work includes franchise development, branding, environmental design and digital engagements.
Michealene Cristini Risley brings a wealth of experience to her CEO role. A serial entrepreneur in cutting-edge tech, she played critical roles in several successes including the first branded maternity line with Adidas, developing Nikes’ Videogame strategy and working with a variety of tech-based clients in Silicon Valley where she championed content development and distribution. Previously, she served as Vice President of Games, Branded Mobile Content, IP, Interactive Entertainment and Game Media at Zynga, Inc. She also was instrumental in the launch of both the Tiger Woods and Sonic the Hedgehog franchises, each of which created over $1B+ in franchise revenue. Additionally, with Sonic, she oversaw the development of two top-rated television shows, one for syndication and one for network television. A tireless champion of talent and innovation, she also serves as a mentor to tech start-ups with Stanford University.
As Executive Vice President, Publishing, Jon I. Rosenberg brings over 20 years of originating content and extending existing content-related brands across a range of media and merchandise in the publishing, brand-licensing, and entertainment sectors to Curiosity. Through alliances developed while leading MGM’s Licensed Publishing Group, and as a book publisher working with leading authors, illustrators, designers and branded properties – including Disney, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros., Mattel, Hasbro and Crayola – Jon’s considerable skill set will be instrumental in developing Curiosity’s publishing division.
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