New studio will be headed by former Nelvana executives.

Bento Box Entertainment has partnered with Andrew Davenport, co-creator of “Teletubbies” and creator of “In the Night Garden,” to launch a kids and family division, called Sutikki. 

The entertainment company has also tapped former Nelvana executives Irene Weibel and Andrew Kerr to launch the new division. Both executives will head the unit and be responsible for all of its day-to-day operations.

Sutikki will develop, produce and distribute kids- and family-focused series alongside Davenport’s U.K.-based production company Foundling Bird. The new division will also be the primary production partner and global commercial product licensor for Davenport’s next children’s series, which will be announced at a later date.

The division also marks Bento Box’s entry into the age 2-11 category, as the company is known for producing animated hits such as “Bob’s Burgers” and “Legends of Chamberlain Heights.”

“Andrew Davenport has had a storied career as one of the world’s most prolific creators of innovative and popular preschool content, and he is the ideal creative talent for us to partner with as we establish ourselves in the kids’ marketplace globally,” says Scott Greenberg, chief executive officer and co-founder, Bento Box.  “This creative relationship, coupled with the leadership of Irene and Andrew, two of the industry’s most talented and respected executives, will make us a formidable player in this space.”

Prior to co-founding Sutikki, Weibel served as vice president and head of Nelvana Studio, a division of Corus Entertainment. During her tenure, she managed the development slate and served as executive producer of all series in production at the Toronto-based studio.

Meanwhile, Kerr helped co-found Sutikki after serving as co-head of Nelvana Enterprises. During his tenure, he oversaw all aspects of the Corus Kids distribution and merchandising business as well as Nelvana’s brand rights in the Americas and Australasia.