It’s Alma’s Way!, the first album from the hit animated PBS KIDS series, Alma’s Way, is now available on all digital music platforms. The release of the soundtrack comes from the collaboration between Fred Rogers Productions, the esteemed children’s media organization and producer behind Alma’s Way, and Warner Music Group’s Arts Music division. Fans of the acclaimed series, which helps children ages 4-6 develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, will recognize the music celebrating Alma’s Puerto Rican heritage, her adventures in her hometown of The Bronx, and more.

The new album features original music from award-winning composers and lyricists, including Asher Lenz, Stephen Skratt, and Fabiola Méndez, along with fan-favorite songs like the series title track, “Alma’s Way! (Theme Song)” written and produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Bill Sherman. Other notable songs include “Alma's Nochebuena Aguinaldo,” “The Bronx Squirrel Stomp," and “Mofongo on the Go Go.”

 

 

 

Fred Rogers Productions, the children’s educational media organization behind the hit series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and 9 Story Brands, its worldwide licensing agent for the popular brand, together with toy partner JAKKS Pacific and retail marketing agency Licensing Street, have secured a new retail program for the much-loved preschool property in Macy’s Toys ‘R’ Us shops.

The assortment includes eight Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood toy skus rolling out to 200+ Macy’s Toys ‘R’ Us shops across the U.S. this month.

Among the toys headed to store shelves are Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Deluxe Trolley, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Family and Friends FiguresDaniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Goodnight Daniel Tiger, and an assortment of mini figures, feature and jumbo plush. One of the new items, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Ultra Jumbo Daniel Tiger plush, is a Macy’s Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive for fall 2023 and will be featured in the retailer’s holiday toy catalog.

The special toy collection will join an assortment of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood-brand products currently available online at Macy’s Toys ‘R’ Us, including books and games.

“We’re delighted to work with 9 Story Brands and JAKKS Pacific to bring the imaginative world of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood to Macy’s Toys ’R’ Us shoppers,” said Matt Shiels, Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs, Fred Rogers Productions. “Children and families now will be able to experience the product range in a fun and exciting, play-focused environment that lets them immerse themselves in the wonder of these new toys.”

“We are excited to see Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood toys return to Toys ‘R’ Us, where the brand originally launched,” said Kyra Halperin, VP, Consumer Products for 9 Story. “With over 10 years on air, the demand for Daniel Tiger products continues to grow. We look forward to continued collaboration with our valued partners to enhance fans' connections to the brand.”

“We are excited to launch this partnership with Macy’s Toys ‘R’ Us as a perfect destination for Daniel Tiger, creating a storytelling experience where kids, parents, and grandparents can bring these beloved characters home,” said Tracy Warshauer, SVP of Marketing at JAKKS Pacific.

Premiering in 2012, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is now in its sixth season on PBS KIDS. The series is co-produced by Fred Rogers Productions and 9 Story Media Group and animated by 9 Story’s award-winning animation studio, Brown Bag Films. 9 Story Brands holds worldwide licensing rights. The property has 50 licensees on board, including JAKKS Pacific (toys), Simon & Schuster (publishing), Crayola (coloring), Isaac Morris (apparel), Tonies (audio toy), Waloo Products (sporting goods), and more.

 

 

 

9 Story Brands and Fred Rogers Productions are pleased to announce a licensing partnership with new children’s outdoor company carter joey™ for the beloved children’s series, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Rights granted include children’s outdoor backpacks, patch packs, and adventure blankets within the U.S. and Canada. The first carter joey™ x Daniel Tiger products will launch later this year and will include a Sling Pack backpack and a patch pack that correlates with episodes of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

“We are thrilled to partner with carter joey™, an exciting new startup on a mission to inspire families to be intentional with their time and be active, not busy.” said Kyra Halperin, Co-VP of Consumer Products for 9 Story. “carter joey™ will help families play-out the learning themes of the series in their own backyards and bring the important themes to life off-screen.”

"We are delighted to have the honor of partnering with such a well-established and wholesome brand like Daniel Tiger," said carter joey™ Co-Founder, Damon Claus. "There is great synergy between how Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood teaches children valuable life lessons and how carter joey™ encourages the same audience to be adventurous in their approach to learning."

"We are excited to work with a fellow like-minded, Pittsburgh-based brand to bring Daniel Tiger to children and families in a new way," said Matt Shiels, vice president of Business and Legal Affairs at Fred Rogers Productions. "Daniel and his friends model fun and adventure outdoors, and carter joey™ is a natural partner to bring that element to life."

After premiering in 2012, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is now in its sixth season on PBS KIDS. The series is co-produced by Fred Rogers Productions and 9 Story Media Group and animated by 9 Story’s award-winning animation studio, Brown Bag Films. 9 Story Brands holds worldwide licensing rights. The property has 50 licensees on board including Jakks Pacific (toys), Simon & Schuster (publishing), Crayola (coloring), Isaac Morris (apparel), Tonies (audio toy), Waloo Products (sporting goods), and more.

Fred Rogers Productions, the iconic children’s media organization behind multiple Emmy®-winning PBS KIDS series, has formed the Writers’ Neighborhood, a five-year initiative focused on identifying and supporting new and emerging writers from underrepresented racial groups as they build careers in children’s media. The eight-week program aims to help hone the skills and broaden the experience of talented creatives who better represent the increasingly diverse audience for the company’s own hit series, like Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Alma’s Way, and Donkey Hodie, as well as that of the broader children’s media industry. In the wake of its successful pilot in fall 2022, Fred Rogers Productions will accept applications for the program’s second cohort from May 1 to May 15.

"Many writers in children's media are freelancers, so we designed the Writers' Neighborhood with a dual focus of developing your craft and building your career," said Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer, Fred Rogers Productions. "Knowing how to write a good story or develop engaging characters is a completely different skill set from finding work, asking for and understanding feedback, or cultivating relationships, and we want to help our fellows gain experience on all fronts."

The Fred Rogers Productions Writers’ Neighborhood will welcome eight fellows per cohort as they learn to be intentional in their writing process, determine context for a series when they are not on a production staff, and interpret and take notes, among other important skills, including how to find and secure jobs in the field.

Beyond the eight-week program, Fred Rogers Productions will offer additional mentorship connections and opportunities to engage in industry activities and events. Many of the fellows who participated in last year’s pilot program are now writing episodes for series currently in production at Fred Rogers Productions.

Fred Rogers Productions will host an application information webinar on April 27, 2023, details for which can be found on LinkedIn.

Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s educational media organization behind Emmy®-winning PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad, and Peg + Cat, has secured a two-year $600,000 grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations (AVDF) for its newest series, Alma’s Way and Donkey Hodie. AVDF’s mission is to support institutions it views as pillars of American society, and Fred Rogers Productions is one of a few producers of public media receiving continued support.

“The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations is one of the nation’s foremost patrons of public media for viewers of all ages and a valued supporter of Fred Rogers Productions,” said Paul Siefken, president and CEO, Fred Rogers Productions. “Their funding enables us to provide a range of innovative and enriching programming to children and families every day.”

“By working with Fred Rogers Productions, we are supporting the very best in children’s media,” said Michael Murray, president and CEO, AVDF. “The company continues to lead the way with quality content that fills the gap and raises the bar in educational and prosocial children’s programming, and we’re delighted to help ensure that Alma’s Way and Donkey Hodie remain sources of learning and growth for young viewers.”

 A new collection of products from Donkey Hodie, the hit preschool puppet series, will be introduced nationwide this year. Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s educational media organization behind multiple Emmy®-winning PBS KIDS series, and Licensing Street, licensing agent for the show, have partnered to secure deals with top brands in a variety of categories. The debut Donkey Hodie collection, which will include apparel from Komar and Mad Engine, as well as costumes from Rubies, is set to launch this fall.

“Consumer demand for Donkey Hodie products has been high since the series debut and we’re excited to welcome these best-in-class licensees to the Donkey Hodie family,” said Matt Shiels, Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs, Fred Rogers Productions. “They are sure to help extend the whimsical and huggable world of Donkey Hodie so children can create their own imaginative series-themed adventures.”

Donkey Hodie is a winner with kids and families,” said Jason Korfine, Partner at Licensing Street. “Just like viewers who are drawn to the series, licensees have been eager to join in, too, and we’re delighted to be working with Komar, Mad Engine, and Rubies to offer new series-inspired products for fans everywhere.”

The first Donkey Hodie products heading to retail include:

  • Komar – Sleepwear
  • Mad Engine – T-shirts and apparel
  • Rubies – Costumes and role-play

In addition, Jada Toys, master toy partner, will introduce a range of Donkey Hodie toys, including highly anticipated feature plush. Toys and additional character plush are expected later this year.

 

 

 

 

 

Kidscreen announced that Fred Rogers Productions has earned the #9 spot in the Production category of their annual Hot 50 honors. The Hot 50 rankings are the results of votes from our peers in the children's media industry.

We are grateful to share these kudos with our production partners, many of whom are fellow honorees.

Kidscreen magazine is one of the premiere trades that covers children's media. The organization also holds an annual summit that brings together companies from across the children's media industry.

Read more to see the full line-up on here..

Fred Rogers Productions is pleased to announce six Emmy nominations for 2022. We are very proud to share this honor with our production partners 9 Story Media Group, Pipeline Studios, Sinking Ship Entertainment, and Spiffy Pictures.

 

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM:

Alma’s Way

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

 

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM:

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

 

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN FOR A LIVE ACTION PROGRAM:

Donkey Hodie

 

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN/STYLING:

Odd Squad

 

OUTSTANDING SPECIAL EFFECTS COSTUMES, HAIR AND MAKEUP:

Odd Squad

Pittsburgh, PA, October 24, 2022 – Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s educational media organization behind multiple well-loved, Emmy®-winning PBS KIDS series, has named Mallory Mbalia to the newly created position of Director of Learning and Education. In her new role, Mbalia will work to expand the company’s “neighborhood” of educational partners and advisors as well as collaborate with its production; marketing, communications, and engagement; fundraising; and licensing teams. She reports to President & CEO Paul Siefken. 

“We are excited to welcome Mallory to the team and look forward to tapping into her expertise to help us realize our educational goals, now and in the future,” said Siefken. “Mallory is respected throughout both the public television and education communities for connecting content to the classroom and to parents and caregivers, and her experience will translate perfectly to our work in support of children and their families.” 

"Since I was a little girl, I have felt a part of the ‘neighborhood,’” said Mbalia. “Mister Rogers had a beautiful way of making every child feel special every day. To be a part of such an impactful cross-generational organization is a dream come true and I look forward to contributing to its mission through my work.” 

Before joining Fred Rogers Productions, Mbalia was Director of Education at PBS North Carolina in Education and Innovation, where she created and delivered educational initiatives statewide for educators, parents and caregivers, and children of all ages. In 2018, she was named a PBS Digital Innovator All Star for her work as an education outreach trainer. Prior to her tenure as a Director at PBS NC, Mbalia was an assistant elementary school principal after starting her career as a kindergarten teacher. 

Mbalia holds two M.S. degrees, one in School Administration from North Carolina State University and the other in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Phoenix, as well as a B.S. in Human Development with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development from Howard University. 

About Fred Rogers Productions 

Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program and extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly rated children’s series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods, have earned 30 Emmy® Awards among other important honors. Newly launched in 2021 on PBS KIDS is Donkey Hodie, the innovative puppet series inspired by characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; and most recently Alma’s Way, an animated series created by Sonia Manzano, known to generations of children and adults as “Maria” on Sesame Street. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

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Press contacts: 

Grand Communications (for Fred Rogers Productions) 

Alison Grand 

212-584-1133; Alison@grandcommunications.com Laura Liebeck 

845-440-7974; Laura@grandcommunications.com 

Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s entertainment company behind Alma’s Way, is thrilled to share that the show has won two Imagen Awards. The series won Best Youth Programming, and Summer Rose Castillo was named Best Voice-Over Actor. See the full list of nominees and winners here. The Imagen Awards celebrate and encourage the inclusion of Latino talent, executives, and voices in all aspects of the creative process in entertainment media. Read more about their mission and work here.