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Cake Entertainment
Cake Entertainment
Cake Entertainment
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Cake Entertainment Limited[1] (stylised as CAKE, formerly Cake Distribution) is an independent company specialising in the production, distribution, financing and development of kids’ and family entertainment brands.[2]

Key Information

History

[edit]

CAKE works with producers of animation and live-action content, including Rovio Entertainment Ltd, Ragdoll Productions, Fresh TV, Channel X and Animation Collective.[citation needed]

In addition, CAKE partners with production companies such as Anima Estudios (Space Chickens in Space for Disney EMEA), Paper Owl Films (Pablo for CBeebies), TeamTO (Angelo Rules, Mighty Mike), Thuristar (Mush-Mush and the Mushables), Cheeky Little Media and Kickstart Entertainment co-producing new entertainment material and developing these brands.[citation needed]

In late-March 2006, Cake Entertainment had enterted the distribution activities by partnerning with Dutch development & production company Hoek, Line & Thinker to form a joint-venture distribution division called Cake Distribution with Tom van Waveren becoming president of the new distribution arm.[3]

In December 2009, Cake Entertainment enterted the video platform service by partnering with young animator Junior Jesman and London-based animation production studio Blue Zoo Animation Studio to develop & produce an animated web series entitled If I Was... for French streaming network Dailymotion with Blue Zoo Animation Studio would provide & develop animation services while Cake Entertainment would distribute the series online.[4]

At the start of September 2010, Genevieve Dexter who had co-founded British entertainment & distribution company Cake Entertainment had sold her majority stake of the distirbution company Cake Entertainment to co-founder & co-director of the company Tom van Waveren.[5]

In 2011, Spanish producer Zinkia Entertainment acquired a 51% majority stake in CAKE, who became the licensor for various Zinkia properties including Pocoyo.[6] The stake was purchased back by the Cake's management in July 2014 after Zinkia Entertainment entered administration.[7]

In March 2017, Cake Entertainment teamed up with Australian animation production company Studio Moshi to establish a joint-venture Irish animation production company based in Dublin called Gingerbread Animation with the new Irish joint venture animation production studio would produce & develop its own animated series whilst Cake Entertainment would handle distribution to Gingerbread Animation's productions as the new joint venture animation studio would also handle production services for third-party companies.[8][9]

In 2018, Cake was most voted "Best International Distributor" by Animation Magazine[10] and No 2 Distributor in Kidscreen’s 2018 Hot50.[11]

In March 2021, Cake Entertainment announced a restructure of its operations with them creating its own in-house production arm called Cake Productions Ltd that would support an increasing volume of its development and production activities such as Supa Team 4 whilst Cake Entertainment would distribute its upcoming in-house productions from its production division Cake Productions Ltd as the company had also restructured its distribution services with its co-founder & CEO Tom van Waveren stepping down his role at Cake Entertainment after 15 years as Cake Entertainment's CCO and managing director Ed Galton had become the new CEO of Cake Entertainment whilst its financial director Cat Seddon became Cake's newly created COO role.[12]

In May 2021, Cake Entertainment announced it had partnered with Canadian animation studio & production company Kickstart Entertainment with the establishment of their joint-venture production company named CakeStart Entertainment that would develop and produce kids & family live-action films and television series with former Disney Branded Television original series alum Kory Lunsford leading the joint-venture production company CakeStart Entertainment as its president whilst Cake Entertainment would handle distribution to CakeStart's productions worldwide.[13][14]

In 2024, Cake acquired the brand and back catalogue of Jetpack Distribution, which was liquidated and closed down a month earlier.[15][16]

Cake Entertainment is based in London and is led by Ed Galton.[dubious – discuss]

Distribution

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Pre-school/Bridge

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6-12

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Live-action

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Productions

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Title Years Network Notes
Total Drama 2007–present CBBC[21][22]
Cartoon Network Canada (Canada)
Cartoon Network[23] (United States)		 co-production with Fresh TV
Skunk Fu! 2008 BBC One/CBBC
TG4/RTÉ One (Ireland)		 co-production with Cartoon Saloon
Oscar's Oasis[24] 2010–2011 Canal+ Family, Teletoon+ & TF1 (France)
EBS (South Korea)		 co-production with TeamTO and Tuba Entertainment
Poppy Cat[25] 2011–2012 Nick Jr. UK co-production with Coolabi Productions and King Rollo Films
Bottersnikes & Gumbles[26] 2015–2017 CBBC
7TWO (Australia)		 co-production with Cheeky Little Media, Kickstart Entertainment and Mighty Nice
Olobob Top 2017–2019 CBeebies
S4C (Wales)		 co-production with Beakus and Cloth Cat Animation
Total Dramarama[27] 2018–2023 Cartoon Network Canada (Canada)
Cartoon Network (United States)
  • co-production with Fresh TV
  • A pre-school spin-off to Total Drama
Space Chickens in Space[28][29] 2018–2019 Disney XD
9Go![30] (Australia)		 co-production with Gingerbread Animation, Ánima Estudios and Studio Moshi
Treasure Trekkers[31] 2019 Canal+ Family (France) co-production woth TT Productions
Mush-Mush and the Mushables[32] 2020–2024 Boomerang UK & Tiny Pop[33]
Piwi+ & Canal+ Family/Canal+ Kids[34] (France)
La Trois & Ketnet (Belgium)
RTS 1 (Swizterland)
RTL Telekids (Netherlands)		 co-production with Thruistar and La Cabane Produdctions
Dodo[35] 2021–present Sky Kids co-production with Wildseed Studios, Telegael, Toonz Media Group and Ingenious Media
Angry Birds: Summer Madness 2022 Netflix co-production with Rovio Entertainment, Kickstart Entertainment[36] and Yowza! Animation[37]
Pretty Freekin Scary[38] 2023 Disney Channel via CakeStart Entertainment
co-production with Disney Branded Television, Cloudco Entertainment, Kickstart Entertainment and Apt. 11H Productions
Supa Team 4[39] 2023 Netflix Previously titled as Mama K Team 4[40]
co-production with Triggerfish Animation Studios and Superprod Studio
Armorsaurs[41] 2025–present Disney XD[42] co-production with MGA Entertainment and MGA Studios

Popcorn Digital

[edit]

Founded by CAKE, Popcorn Digital is a kids' and family digital content creator.[44] It works with leading brands including Angry Birds, Pablo, Ferly, Angelo Rules and Oscar’s Oasis.

Popcorn Digital is led by Matt Lieberman, a producer of YouTube content with over 10 years experience in the digital media industry and a deep passion for animation, audience development, and emerging technologies.

Matt has driven over 1M followers and 500M views for clients including Warner Bros Discovery, FOX Entertainment and Group Nine Media.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cake Entertainment

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Cake Entertainment is a British independent entertainment company specializing in the production, distribution, financing, development, and of children's and family content, including and live-action series and films. Incorporated on 7 May 2002 and headquartered in , the company distributes over 1,600 half-hours of programming and collaborates with prominent producers such as , , and . Founded by Genevieve Dexter, who had prior experience in children's television distribution, Cake Entertainment initially focused on international sales of kids' content before expanding into production and financing. In 2010, Dexter sold her majority stake to co-director Tom van Waveren in an amicable split after three years of partnership. The following year, Spanish producer acquired a 51% majority stake, positioning Cake as the global licensor for Zinkia's properties like . Management repurchased the stake in 2014, restoring full independence and enabling further growth, including the 2018 acquisition of . Cake has built a reputation for handling high-profile franchises, distributing acclaimed series such as Total Drama Island and its sequels, which parody reality TV formats, as well as Bottersnikes and Gumbles and Angelo Rules. Recent deals underscore its ongoing influence, including a 2025 global distribution agreement for all seven seasons of Netflix's The Dragon Prince and a multi-year partnership for MGA's Armorsaurs series across Disney platforms. Recognized as a top distributor, Cake earned the Kidscreen "Best Distributor of the Year" award in 2009 and continues to rank highly in industry polls for its diverse catalogue and international reach.

Overview

Company Profile

Cake Entertainment was founded in 2002 in , , establishing itself as an independent entity dedicated to the production and distribution of children's content. Headquartered in with additional offices in , , and , CAKE operates as a private, independent company specializing in the production, distribution, financing, development, and of kids' and family content worldwide. The company serves a broad array of clients, including broadcasters, streaming services, and digital platforms, managing an extensive catalogue that supports global content delivery. In recognition of its contributions to the industry, CAKE was voted "Best International Distributor" by in 2018 and ranked No. 2 among distributors in Kidscreen’s 2018 Hot50 list.

Leadership and Key Personnel

Ed Galton serves as the of Cake Entertainment, a role he assumed in May 2021 following a management restructuring. With a background in financing and development, Galton joined the company in 2007 and became and managing director in 2010, contributing to its strategic growth through content acquisition and production initiatives. Under his leadership, Cake has emphasized global expansion, particularly after the 2014 that repurchased the company's stake from , enabling independent operations and key international distribution deals. Historically, Cake Entertainment was founded in 2002 by Genevieve Dexter, who served as commercial director until selling her majority stake in September 2010 to co-director Tom van Waveren amid a company restructuring. Van Waveren, who merged his production pipeline with Cake in 2006, led as CEO and from then until stepping down in 2021, during which he oversaw development of numerous kids' and family series and divested his shares upon departure. Other key figures include Cat Seddon, who joined in 2019 as finance director and became in 2021. Kory Lunsford, a former executive who joined in 2021 as president and partner of CakeStart Entertainment, a joint-venture production arm focused on live-action kids', family, and YA content. Additionally, heads Popcorn Digital, Cake's Los Angeles-based digital subsidiary launched to manage and online brand growth for animated properties, leveraging his over a decade of experience in digital media production. In 2024, Dominic Gardiner joined as managing director of distribution.

History

Founding and Early Development

Cake Entertainment was founded in 2001 by Genevieve Dexter in as Cake Distribution, drawing on her prior experience in the children's entertainment sector at companies such as EVA Entertainment, where she served as territory sales manager for the , , and from 1994 to 1997, and Consolidated. Initially established as an independent distribution entity, the company focused on handling international rights for kids' and family-oriented content, encompassing both and live-action properties from third-party producers. In its early years, Cake Entertainment prioritized building a robust catalog of licensed content, securing distribution deals for international markets and beginning to engage in financing arrangements for select children's projects during the mid-2000s. This period marked steady growth, with the company establishing itself as a key player in rolling out family entertainment brands globally through partnerships with established producers. By the late , Cake began transitioning from a distribution-centric model to broader operations, including active involvement in content production, as evidenced by Dexter's producer credits on series like in 2007. This shift laid the groundwork for expanded creative and financial roles in the industry, culminating in Dexter's sale of her majority stake in 2010.

Ownership Changes and Milestones

In September 2010, co-founder Genevieve Dexter sold her majority stake in Cake Entertainment to her business partner and co-director Tom van Waveren, marking an amicable end to their partnership, which began in 2006, and consolidating leadership under van Waveren. This shift paved the way for international growth, as in April 2011, Madrid-based acquired a 51% stake in Cake, enabling expanded operations and a stronger presence across through Zinkia's established network in production and distribution. By July 2014, Cake's management team, including van Waveren and Edward Galton, repurchased the 51% stake from Zinkia following the Spanish company's financial difficulties and entry into administration, restoring full independence to the UK-based firm and allowing it to refocus on core distribution and production activities. Throughout the 2010s, Cake pursued key internal milestones to adapt to evolving media landscapes, including the launch of Popcorn Digital in partnership with Diagonal View, which focused on creating original kids' content for online platforms like to experiment with digital-first distribution models.

Recent Expansions and Acquisitions

In March 2017, Cake Entertainment launched Gingerbread Animation as a with Australian animation producer Studio Moshi, establishing a new independent house in , , to focus on high-quality children's content production. This partnership leveraged Studio Moshi's creator-driven expertise and Cake's distribution network to expand capabilities in . In September 2018, Cake acquired worldwide distribution rights to the remastered library of , adding several hundred hours of children's programming to its catalogue. In March 2021, Tom van Waveren stepped down as CEO after 15 years, with Edward Galton assuming the CEO role as part of a senior team restructure. In May 2021, Cake formed CakeStart Entertainment through a partnership with Canadian producer Kickstart Entertainment, appointing former executive Kory Lunsford as president to develop and produce original in live-action and formats. The venture combined resources across multiple countries, including soundstages in the United States, to create full-service production pipelines for kids and family content, with Cake handling global distribution. In September 2024, Cake completed the acquisition of Jetpack Distribution's brand and catalogue, more than doubling its content library to over 3,200 half-hours of children's and family programming, including titles like The Clangers and Bitz & Bob. This deal integrated Jetpack's sales team and enhanced Cake's market position in kids' TV distribution. In September 2025, Cake signed a global two-season deal with for Entertainment's Armorsaurs series. In October 2025, inked a global distribution agreement for all seven seasons of Netflix's . These expansions have strategically diversified Cake's operations by bolstering in-house production financing through joint ventures like , fostering brand development via original IP creation at CakeStart, and strengthening digital platform access with an expanded catalogue from the Jetpack acquisition. Overall, they have positioned Cake as a more integrated player in the global children's entertainment sector, addressing previous gaps in production scale and content ownership.

Business Activities

Content Production

Cake Entertainment initially operated primarily as a distributor of children's content when founded in 2002, but began transitioning to in-house production and IP financing in the mid-2010s to secure greater control over original . This shift was marked by strategic investments in development and co-financing, allowing the company to move beyond licensing third-party shows like toward creating proprietary series with long-term revenue potential through global rights ownership. By 2017, Cake had established a with Australian Studio Moshi to form Gingerbread Animation in , , focusing on high-quality children's production and original project development. The company's production pipeline encompasses , live-action projects, and hybrid formats, typically executed through partnerships with specialized studios to leverage expertise while retaining creative oversight. For instance, Cake distributed the Olobob Top (2017–2019), produced by Beakus and Cloth Cat Animation for broadcasters including and , emphasizing themes of creativity and problem-solving for young audiences. In , collaborations like the Gingerbread Animation venture have supported series such as (2018–2019), a co-production with Disney EMEA, Ánima Estudios, and Studio Moshi. Hybrid efforts include co-productions such as the 2025 live-action VFX series Armorsaurs with for , highlighting Cake's focus on action-oriented family content with built-in toy tie-ins. Live-action pipelines involve financing original scripts and partnering with production houses for formats blending practical effects and VFX, ensuring scalability across platforms. Cake's production strategies prioritize global appeal by pursuing co-productions with major broadcasters like Disney Branded Television and CBBC, which facilitate international reach and shared financing risks. Brand extensions are integral, extending IP into merchandise and licensing; for Rainbow Brite, Cake partnered with Crayola Studios to integrate the animated revival with consumer products, enhancing monetization beyond broadcasting. These approaches underscore a commitment to evergreen, culturally adaptable content that supports ancillary revenue streams. The launch of CakeStart Entertainment in May 2021, a with Kickstart Entertainment, significantly expanded Cake's production scale by establishing a dedicated full-service arm for developing and producing original kids' and family content, particularly in live-action and hybrid genres. Led by former Disney executive Kory Lunsford, CakeStart has invested in multiple original series, including the Disney Channel sitcom (2023) co-produced with and the emotional awareness series Kiwi Island (2024) with Cloud9World. This initiative has bolstered Cake's pipeline, with over 13 properties in active development by 2024, enabling greater investment in diverse formats like the Netflix animated series Mama K's Team 4 and fostering a robust slate of IP-financed originals. Cake handles worldwide distribution for all CakeStart productions, integrating them into its broader financing model.

Global Distribution

Cake Entertainment's global distribution is managed through its dedicated division, CAKE Distribution Ltd, which handles rights management, theatrical releases, television broadcasting, and digital sales for both in-house productions and third-party content across international markets. This arm oversees the commercialization of kids' and family programming, ensuring multi-platform delivery including linear TV, streaming services, and on-demand platforms to maximize reach and revenue. The company has forged key partnerships with major broadcasters and streamers, such as a global two-season deal with for MGA Entertainment's Armorsaurs, premiering on and Disney+ in various regions. Earlier collaborations include a worldwide agreement with and for Fresh TV's series, distributed through networks. In October 2025, Cake secured a global distribution agreement for all seven seasons of Netflix's The Dragon Prince, produced by Wonderstorm. These deals often encompass licensing for merchandise and ancillary rights, supporting brand extensions like consumer products and interactive media tied to distributed titles. CAKE's distribution extends to over 100 territories, with a strong emphasis on kids' content financing to support international sales and multi-platform exploitation, including AVOD services and regional broadcasters in , , and . For instance, recent sales have delivered over 750 episodes across markets alone, highlighting the scale of its operations. In September 2024, CAKE completed the acquisition of Jetpack Distribution's assets, more than doubling its content library to over 3,200 hours and enhancing global sales capabilities through integrated teams for rights management and marketing. This integration has streamlined distribution for an expanded catalogue, enabling broader financing opportunities and delivery to additional territories via strengthened partnerships.

Content Portfolio

Preschool and Bridge Content

Cake Entertainment maintains a robust portfolio of preschool and bridge content, targeting audiences aged 2-5 for foundational learning and 5-7 for transitional educational experiences through animated series emphasizing curiosity, emotional development, and social skills. Key titles in this category include classics from its early catalog such as Fifi and the Flowertots, a 2D animated series about a flower fairy learning kindness and cooperation; Little Charley Bear, which follows a plush bear's imaginative adventures to foster creativity; and Raa Raa the Noisy Lion, centered on animal friends solving problems through communication in the jungle. These programs, distributed globally since the mid-2000s, highlight Cake's focus on short-form, engaging animations suitable for young viewers. Partnerships with producers like have expanded Cake's offerings, notably through the 2021 distribution deal for B.O.T. and the Beasties, a about a befriending quirky creatures to promote teamwork and environmental awareness. This collaboration builds on Ragdoll's legacy of developmental content while excluding rights, allowing Cake to handle international sales. More recent additions include Tish Tash (2020), a 2D series for 3-5-year-olds exploring family life and imagination; Toru Superfox (2023), a Polish emphasizing bravery and friendship; and Boj (2014 onward), a musical for bridge audiences teaching via a family's daily challenges. The 2024 acquisition of Jetpack Distribution significantly bolstered Cake's library, integrating titles like Daisy and Ollie, an encouraging curiosity about everyday science for ages 2-5; Pip Ahoy!, a coastal adventure promoting problem-solving; Mimi's World, focused on a girl's global explorations for cultural awareness; and Yoko, a 4-6-year-old targeted show on social-emotional learning through animal stories. These additions doubled Cake's overall catalog to over 3,200 half-hours, with content now comprising a larger share for global outreach. Cake's strategies for this demographic prioritize safe, age-appropriate themes that support developmental milestones, such as emotional regulation in Kiwi Island (2024), a CG series on feelings for young children, and mindfulness in The Mindful Adventures of Unicorn Island (2024), for which Cake has acquired global distribution rights; the series, developed by Headspace and Unicorn Island Productions, teaches calm and through magical quests. Content is designed with simple narratives, vibrant visuals, and interactive elements to engage short attention spans while aligning with educational curricula, often licensed to public broadcasters for broad accessibility. Global licensing forms a core strategy, with deals targeting networks to ensure cultural adaptation and repeated viewings. Notable distributions include European placements like Nikhil & Jay (2024), a on sibling dynamics voiced by Bridgerton star , bridging to school-age themes through diverse representation. In , Cake secured over 750 episodes across territories in December 2024, sold to regional broadcasters for enhanced . These agreements underscore Cake's approach to bridging content toward more narrative-driven programming, facilitating seamless transitions for growing viewers.

6-12 Years Content

Cake Entertainment's portfolio for children aged 6-12 centers on that blend action, humor, and relatable tween narratives, often developed through international co-productions to appeal to global audiences. These programs emphasize adventurous storytelling with themes of friendship, competition, and personal growth, designed to engage school-age viewers with fast-paced plots and character-driven suitable for this demographic. A flagship title in this category is , an animated reality TV parody that premiered in 2007 and continues to the present, distributed internationally by Cake to broadcasters including in the UK and in various regions. The series follows teenagers competing in exaggerated challenges at a , incorporating satirical humor and action-oriented escapades that resonate with 6-12-year-olds through its mix of teamwork, rivalries, and absurd scenarios. Co-produced with Canada's , has secured multi-season deals, including a 2021 revival for and HBO Max, highlighting Cake's role in sustaining long-term distribution for tween content. Another key offering is (2018–2019), a 52-episode animated adventure distributed by Cake to , where chicken siblings navigate an intergalactic academy, facing technological hurdles, school rivalries, and sibling dynamics in a humorous sci-fi setting. Produced in collaboration with international partners like Mexico's Ánima Estudios, Australia's Studio Moshi, and Ireland's Gingerbread Animation, the series targets 6-12-year-olds with its blend of action sequences, witty banter, and themes of adaptation and bravery. Its appeal lies in the tween-friendly exploration of interstellar diplomacy and family bonds, supported by Cake's global licensing efforts. In line with the growing demand for animated content in the 6-12 market, Cake has expanded its offerings through recent distribution deals as of 2025, including the seven seasons of , a fantasy-adventure series co-created by and Justin Richmond, aimed at ages 8-12 with epic quests involving elves, dragons, and moral dilemmas. Additionally, Cake added Bubblegem, a Korean animated series for girls aged 6-9, featuring a princess's secret adventures in the human world, emphasizing curiosity and empowerment in 26-episode seasons. These acquisitions underscore Cake's strategy to bolster tween programming via streaming and broadcast partnerships, fostering market growth in this age band.

Live-Action and Hybrid Content

Cake Entertainment has expanded into live-action and hybrid formats through strategic partnerships and joint ventures, focusing on family-oriented content that blends real-world with for audiences aged 8 and older. This approach emphasizes financing, co-production, and global distribution of relatable narratives, often targeting teen and pre-teen viewers with themes of , , and personal growth. A key initiative in this space is CakeStart Entertainment, a 2021 joint venture between Cake and live-action producer Kickstart Entertainment, which facilitates first-look deals and co-productions for hybrid and live-action series. Through CakeStart, Cake financed and co-produced Pretty Freekin Scary, a 2023 live-action comedy series that premiered on , following a teenage girl navigating life after a supernatural mishap with her guardian. The series, developed in partnership with , exemplifies Cake's strategy of international co-productions to deliver accessible, humor-driven stories for 8-12-year-olds. In hybrid content, Cake's 2023 multi-year distribution agreement with led to the development of Armorsaurs, a live-action VFX series that premiered on October 13, 2025, on , with a Disney+ release scheduled for February 2026. This sci-fi adventure combines practical sets with CGI dinosaurs and robotic elements, targeting global family audiences through a two-season deal with that includes and streaming releases. The project highlights Cake's role in bridging live-action realism with animated enhancements for immersive, action-packed narratives. Following Cake's 2024 acquisition of Jetpack Distribution's assets, the company integrated a portfolio of live-action titles into its offerings, enhancing its focus on teen and family genres. Notable additions include Katy, a live-action of Jacqueline Wilson's novel that aired on , distributed internationally by Jetpack prior to the deal and now under Cake's global sales network. This acquisition doubled Cake's content library, enabling broader distribution of co-produced live-action series with European and North American partners for 8+ markets.

Subsidiaries and Ventures

Popcorn Digital

Popcorn Digital, established in 2016 as a between Cake Entertainment and producer Diagonal View, serves as Cake's dedicated arm for creating interactive kids' and family media tailored for online platforms. Specializing in digital series, apps, and webisodes, the company focuses on building and extending brands through short-form content that fosters audience engagement on global digital networks. Under the leadership of , a veteran content producer with over a decade in , Popcorn Digital emphasizes innovative strategies to transform traditional IPs into dynamic online experiences. Key projects highlight Popcorn Digital's role in brand collaborations, such as its partnership with to manage and produce content for the official YouTube channel, including webisodes and interactive mobile extensions that deepen fan communities and reach new audiences. Another notable effort involved teaming with Ferly (formerly Kaiken Entertainment) to lead the digital strategy for the Momolu Minis series, developing and launching animated shorts optimized for YouTube to expand the brand's online presence. These initiatives demonstrate Popcorn Digital's expertise in producing accessible, brand-aligned that supports cross-platform growth. The company's innovations center on short-form entertainment designed for kid-safe environments like , incorporating elements of such as user-driven stories and gamified extensions to enhance viewer retention and . By prioritizing bite-sized formats under five minutes, Popcorn Digital enables quick consumption while facilitating extensions into apps and , allowing brands to maintain narrative continuity across digital touchpoints. In the wake of Cake Entertainment's 2024 acquisition of Jetpack Distribution's assets, which significantly expanded Cake's overall content library, Popcorn Digital underwent further growth to bolster its digital capabilities, with Lieberman appointed to oversee operations from and integrate new IPs into online strategies. This expansion positions Popcorn Digital to leverage the enlarged portfolio for enhanced and interactive developments through 2025.

CakeStart Entertainment

CakeStart Entertainment is a formed in May 2021 between Cake Entertainment and Kickstart Entertainment, aimed at creating and financing original live-action series for children and families. The partnership combines Cake's expertise in global distribution with Kickstart's production capabilities, establishing a full-service studio operating across four countries, including soundstages in the United States, to develop content for international audiences. Led by Kory Lunsford, former Head of Current Series at , the venture emphasizes collaboration with emerging talents to produce inclusive stories that resonate worldwide. One of CakeStart's flagship projects is the 2023 Disney Channel series , a multi-camera adapted from Chris P. Flesh's , which premiered on June 15, 2023, and features a diverse cast navigating life after encounters with the . This series, greenlit under a with , highlights CakeStart's focus on inclusive storytelling that blends humor, fantasy, and themes of friendship and self-discovery for global young audiences. By retaining ownership, CakeStart ensures long-term control over its creations, facilitating seamless integration with Cake's distribution network. Strategically, CakeStart bridges production and distribution within Cake's by prioritizing original IP development that appeals to broadcasters and streaming platforms alike, while fostering opportunities for new writers, directors, and performers from underrepresented backgrounds. This approach has positioned the venture to expand Cake's portfolio beyond into live-action formats, enhancing its competitive edge in the kids' market.

Gingerbread Animation

Gingerbread Animation is an independent animation studio established as a between Cake Entertainment and Australian production company Studio Moshi in 2017. Based in , , the studio was created to serve as an in-house production facility for Cake's children's series, enabling efficient development and of original content while leveraging a cost-effective European operational base. This setup allows Gingerbread to handle both proprietary projects for Cake and tailored creative services for third-party clients, drawing on Studio Moshi's established animation pipeline. The studio specializes in high-quality tradigital 2D , focusing on engaging, creator-driven content for young audiences. Its location provides access to skilled talent and lower production costs compared to other European hubs, facilitating scalable workflows for series development and . While primarily 2D-oriented, Gingerbread's capabilities extend to hybrid techniques when required for collaborative projects, emphasizing expertise in kids' . Gingerbread has contributed to key titles in Cake's portfolio, including the 2D animated sci-fi comedy series , a 52-episode production co-developed with Ánima Estudios and Studio Moshi for Disney EMEA and Channel 9 Australia. The studio handled significant portions of the animation pipeline for this series, which premiered in 2018 and follows three chicken siblings in an intergalactic adventure. In , Cake's acquisition of Jetpack Distribution's brand and extensive back catalogue significantly expanded its animation holdings, integrating over of content. As of 2025, no recent public projects or updates on Animation's operations have been announced.

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  39. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2018/07/olobob-top-returns-for-second-season-on-cbeebies-abc-s4c/
  40. https://showmetheanimation.com/off-the-press/olobob-top-launches-on-cbeebies/
  41. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/09/25/3156167/0/en/CAKE-Signs-Global-Two-Season-Deal-with-Disney-Branded-Television-for-MGA-Entertainment-s-Armorsaurs-Series.html
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  45. https://cakeentertainment.com/news/cake-announces-global-deal-for-fresh-tvs-new-series-based-on-web-phenomenon-lucas-the-spider
  46. https://cakeentertainment.com/news/teamto-and-cake-kick-off-angelo-rules-season-5-with-first-ever-christmas-special
  47. https://cakeentertainment.com/news/cake-sells-over-750-episodes-in-asia
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