Gigglebug expands with King Bert alum Pryke & ex-MTV Finland CEO Nordlund

L-R: Jarkko Nordlund and Lucy Pryke

Nordic animation studio Gigglebug Entertainment has appointed Lucy Pryke as creative producer and Jarkko Nordlund as board member and special advisor, as part of the company’s international expansion plans.

Pryke joins Gigglebug from King Bert Productions, where she developed ideas for children’s animations, and has also previously served as a senior manager in animation at Disney EMEA, where she worked on Sadie Sparks and with Gigglebug on 101 Dalmation Street. Prior to that, she spent seven years at the BBC as a development producer for CBBC, where her credits include Shaun The Sheep, Scream Street and Zig And Zag.

Nordlund, meanwhile, comes aboard to help assist the company with growth management. Joining with many years of industry experience, he has previously served as CEO for MTV Finland and as MD for Universal Music Finland & Baltics, Viasat and Canal+.

The appointments follow the recent commissions of two shows based on original ideas and development from Gigglebug. The Unstoppable Yellow Yeti, co-produced with Zodiak Kids, has been commissioned by Disney EMEA and Nordic broadcasters YLE, DR, NRK and SVT for a 50 x 11-minute series, plus 11 x two-minute shorts.

Meanwhile, Best And Bester was green-lit by Nickelodeon for a 52 x 11-minute series – amd is the broadcaster’s first-ever Finnish show. A buddy comedy for kids aged 7-11, the wacky series is co-produced with Eye Present.

Anttu Harlin, co-founder of Gigglebug, described Pryke and Nordlund as “wonderful additions to the super talents and world-class creativity here at Gigglebug.”

She added: “It’s an exciting time for us and their vast experience and knowhow will play a key part in our ambitious plans for international growth and our aim of becoming a leading European animation studio that spreads joy around the world.”