Michael Hirsh | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 7, 1948 Brussels, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian-Canadian |
| Occupation(s) | Executive producer, businessman |
Michael Hirsh (born 1948) is a Belgian-born Canadian producer, TV executive, entrepreneur, and author. He has been attributed to building from the ground up the Canadian animation industry and, more specifically, award-winning children's programming since the 1980s. He co-founded Nelvana, a Canadian based animation and entertainment studio in 1971 with partners Patrick Loubert and Clive A. Smith producing numerous cartoons that established Nelvana as a leader in the industry including Little Bear, Franklin, Babar, Max & Ruby, The Magic School Bus, Care Bears, Adventures of TinTin, Inspector Gadget, Droids and Ewoks, among many, many others. After Corus Entertainment's acquisition of Nelvana, Hirsh became CEO of Cookie Jar Entertainment, which created numerous highly popular children's shows, among them Arthur, Johnny Test, and Strawberry Shortcake.[1] When Cookie Jar was acquired by DHX Media (now WildBrain Studios) Hirsh became the Executive Chairman of the company, the largest supplier of kids programming to online streaming services as well as a leader in production and licensing and merchandising for children.[2][3] Three years after the acquisition by DHX Media, Hirsh left the company to serve as CEO and chairman of WOW! Unlimited Media from 2015 to December 2023.[4]
- ^ "Corus to buy Nelvana for $540-million". The Globe and Mail. 18 September 2000. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
- ^ "DHX Acquires Cookie Jar". License Global. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "New paid YouTube channels to offer Canadian kids' TV shows". CBC News. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ Kelly Townsend (11 April 2022). "Genius Brands completes acquisition of Wow! Unlimited". Playback. Retrieved 4 July 2024.