Family programming veteran Bob Higgins has been appointed svp, programming and development for Cartoon Network's kids businesses. The former Sony Pictures Family Entertainment exec will manage Cartoon Network's development, production and programming departments, plus oversee new original animated series, shorts, features and specials created in the network's Burbank studio and with various external production partners. He will also supervise acquisitions of off-net kids' programming, including anime and theatricals from domestic and international sources for Cartoon Network, U.S. Higgins will be based in Atlanta and report to Jim Samples, evp and gm of Cartoon Network, filing in the post left vacant when Mike Lazzo was moved over to oversee CN's older-skewing animation block, "Adult Swim." Higgins will also manage the on-air programming schedules for Cartoon Network and Boomerang, and work with the company's marketing, ad sales and licensing teams.
Higgins most recently was svp/exec producer for Classic Media, Inc. in New York City, for all TV, feature film and direct-to-video product based on characters and properties from Harvey Comics, Jay Ward, UPA and Golden Books Entertainment libraries. His recent projects including UNDERDOG, a live-action/CGI feature for Spyglass Pictures and SHERMAN & PEABODY, a live-action/CGI feature being developed with director Rob Minkoff's Sprocketdyne Entertainment.
Higgins was svp of creative affairs for SPFE in Los Angeles, where he oversaw a busy slate of cel animation and CGI television including JACKIE CHAN ADVENTURES, MAX STEEL, MEN IN BLACK: THE SERIES, DRAGON TALES and HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON. Previous he was vp of creative affairs at Columbia TriStar Television Children's Programming, mangling more than 350 half-hours of syndication and network animated and live-action programming. Higgins also was director of development at Nelvana Communications.
