Bryan O’Connell Joins The Jim Henson Company As VP Children’s Television!

The Jim Henson Company has appointed Bryan O’Connell as Vice President of Children’s Television. 

A seasoned industry executive, O’Connell most recently held the position of Director of Development at Disney Jr. In his new role, he will lead the creative development of a dynamic lineup of children’s programming, including both animated and live-action series such as The Kissing Hand and Monster Mix, along with reimaginings of beloved classics Sid the Science Kid and Dinosaur Train.

O’Connell becomes part of the Creative Affairs team at The Jim Henson Company, working alongside Tara Billik (VP of Feature Films), Delaney Shiokari (VP of Primetime Television), and Tim O’Brien (Production Executive). The team also includes in-house producers John Tartaglia, who serves as Creative Supervisor for Fraggle Rock, and Halle Stanford, Co-Creator of the upcoming series Wowsabout. Brian Henson and Vince Raisa of Brian Henson Productions continue to develop a robust slate of film and TV projects under the Company’s banner.

Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company, shared her enthusiasm about the new addition:“I have had the pleasure of working with Bryan over several years. It is clear he has a deep understanding of and respect for creating engaging and entertaining content for children. Whether it be wholly new worlds yet to be discovered, or the beloved legacy worlds our audiences know and love, Bryan will be managing an ambitious and exciting slate of shows for our next generation of fans,” said Lisa Henson.

Bryan O’Connell said, “As a longtime admirer of The Jim Henson Company and its iconic properties, I have appreciated the Company’s universal appeal and enduring productions that have spanned generations. Stepping into this new role, I am grateful for the opportunity to develop a slate of live action and animated children’s projects, drawing from a global community of creators and artists that share my commitment to continue and expand this legacy of creating entertaining and impactful content for kids around the world.”

Before joining The Jim Henson Company, O’Connell spent a decade at The Walt Disney Company, contributing across Disney Television Animation, Walt Disney Imagineering, and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Most recently, he led development efforts at Disney Jr., guiding the creation of numerous series, shorts, and specials for the preschool audience. He also collaborated closely with Disney’s franchise division to extend properties into merchandise and live events. His earlier experience includes roles at Silvergate Media, Sprout, Illumination, DreamWorks, and Sesame Workshop.