Business Details
23 Years
experience
Award-Winning Content Production Studio in Vancouver
Founded in 2003, Thunderbird Entertainment has established itself as a leader in creating award-winning animated, scripted, and unscripted content. With over 1,200 creatives across Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Los Angeles, we prioritize diversity and inclusivity in every project. Our subsidiaries, Atomic Cartoons and Great Pacific Media, specialize in developing globally recognized programming that resonates with audiences worldwide. Backed by decades of industry experience, our team has earned prestigious accolades, including Daytime Emmys, Peabody Awards, and Canadian Screen Awards.We maintain transparent partnerships with top distributors like Netflix, CBC, and Discovery Channel, ensuring our content reaches international audiences. Our commitment to innovation and storytelling excellence positions us as a trusted name in the entertainment industry. Through strategic vertical integration and IP ownership, we deliver recurring revenue while expanding our global footprint. Our mission remains clear: to create progressive, dynamic content that reflects diverse voices and makes a meaningful impact.
Services
Animated content production
Scripted series development
Unscripted documentary creation
Global distribution partnerships
IP development
Consumer products licensing
International co-productions
Award-winning storytelling
Diversity-focused programming
Studio facility rentals
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We produce 1,500+ hours of content annually across multiple genres
- Our subsidiaries have won 21+ industry awards in 2022 alone
- We maintain 100% ownership of key production equipment and facilities
- Our team includes BAFTA and Emmy award-winning producers and animators
- We partner with top-tier distributors like Netflix and Discovery Channel
Services
Animated content production
We create award-winning animated series for global audiences, combining artistic excellence with technical innovation. Our Vancouver-based Atomic Cartoons division produces 850+ episodes annually, featuring proprietary IP and licensed properties. Recent successes include 'The Last Kids on Earth' and 'Molly of Denali', both recognized with major industry awards.
Unscripted documentary creation
Great Pacific Media delivers factual programming that captures real-life drama and human achievement. Our 'Highway Thru Hell' franchise has run for 14 seasons with 200+ episodes, combining technical expertise with compelling storytelling for Discovery Channel and other major networks.
Scripted series development
We develop and produce scripted content spanning comedies, dramas, and thrillers. Notable successes include 'Kim's Convenience' (17+ awards) and 'Somewhere Between', showcasing our ability to create culturally resonant, commercially successful programming for international markets.
Global distribution partnerships
Our Global Distribution and Consumer Products division manages rights for 1,500+ hours of content annually. We maintain strategic relationships with top-tier platforms including Netflix, CBC, and Discovery Channel to maximize content reach and revenue potential.
IP development
We develop and own valuable IP across entertainment genres, including 'The Last Kids on Earth' franchise which expanded from animation to toys and video games. This vertical integration creates long-term revenue streams through merchandising and licensing opportunities.
People
Jennifer Twiner McCarron
CEO and Chair
Leading Thunderbird Entertainment since 2018, Jennifer oversees global operations across 3 locations. With 15+ years in animation, she's executive produced 3 Emmy/Peabody award-winning series and grown the company to 900+ employees.
Simon Bodymore
CFO
With 25+ years financial leadership experience, Simon manages Thunderbird Entertainment's international finances. He previously served as CFO at Tasktop Technologies and holds multiple financial industry certifications.
Joel Bradley
President, Atomic Cartoons
Joel leads Atomic's creative operations with 20 years industry experience. As producer of 'The Last Kids on Earth' and 'Hilda', he's driven the division's growth into a major animation studio with 1,000+ staff.
David Way
CEO, Great Pacific Media
David oversees GPM's factual content creation with expertise spanning production, development, and network relations. He has won multiple Canadian Screen Awards and previously worked as a network executive for major broadcasters.
Lori Massini
General Counsel
With 10+ years entertainment law experience, Lori leads legal affairs after practicing at major firms. She specializes in production law and has negotiated contracts for major network programming across multiple jurisdictions.
Questions
What types of content does Thunderbird Entertainment Entertainment produce?
We specialize in animated, scripted, and unscripted content including award-winning series, documentaries, and family programming distributed globally.
Which major platforms feature Thunderbird Entertainment's programming?
Our content appears on Netflix, CBC, Discovery Channel Canada, PBS Kids, and international broadcast networks across 12+ countries.
How does Thunderbird Entertainment approach diversity in content creation?
We prioritize authentic storytelling through initiatives like our partnership with Wapanatahk Media for Indigenous-led productions and inclusive casting practices.
What production facilities does Thunderbird Entertainment operate?
We maintain full production control with 100% owned facilities in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Los Angeles.
How can creators submit content proposals to Thunderbird Entertainment?
Visit our website's 'Contact' section for submission guidelines and current development opportunities across all content categories.
