Fred Rogers Productions is again expanding its “Neighborhood,” naming Kristin DiQuollo Supervising Producer for the upcoming imaginative puppet series, Donkey Hodie, debuting winter 2021 on PBS KIDS. DiQuollo, who joins the company with more than 15 years of experience in children’s media, reports to Chief Creative Officer Ellen Doherty.
As Supervising Producer, DiQuollo will oversee all phases of scripting and production of Fred Rogers Productions’ newest preschool series. In her new role, DiQuollo will also serve as a liaison with the company’s co-production partners and broadcasters as well as oversee its educational advisors, among other responsibilities.
“Kristin is very passionate about her work and brings great creativity and thoughtfulness to everything she does, whether it’s finessing a story plot or troubleshooting a production issue,” said Doherty. “She also has a great talent for envisioning how to translate a property so that it best resonates with kids and families across multiple platforms.”
Prior to joining Fred Rogers Productions, DiQuollo was Executive Producer and Story Editor of Cyberchase, the PBS KIDS series from WNET New York.
In other executive news, Fred Rogers Productions has promoted Micah Southwood to Director of Licensing. Southwood, who joined the company in 2016 as Licensing Manager, has worked with 9 Story Brands to manage the consumer products program for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood across multiple categories, while also working with licensing agency Brand Central to reinvigorate the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood licensing and merchandising portfolio, including publishing, toys, games, and apparel. The consumer products program earned a nomination for a Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) International Licensing Award in 2019. In addition, the picture book, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” held a spot on the New York Times middle-grade bestseller list for more than 30 weeks. Southwood is now working with licensing agency Licensing Street to kick-start a licensing and merchandising program for the company’s newest preschool property, Donkey Hodie, which is currently available for partnerships in multiple categories, including toys, apparel, live show, party goods, and more.