SEATTLE–Biz Kid$, LLP said it has named Jeannine Glista as its new managing partner, along with plans for a brand revitalization.
According to the organization, Glista is adamant about the need for early teaching of financial basics and believes it should be mandatory classroom curriculum. BizKid$ is the financial literacy initiative championed by the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) and supported by a broad coalition of America’s credit unions.
“Jeannine is bringing new life to Biz Kid$, eagerly refreshing the brand,” said James McKenna, who, along with Erren Gottlieb, is a partner and co-executive producer of the original multi-award-winning public television series.
McKenna and Gottlieb are best known as co-creators and executive producers of the acclaimed, multi-award winning “Disney Presents Bill Nye the Science Guy.”
BizKid$ said in a statement, “Glista’s leadership in revitalizing the brand is well-timed, with many states passing new financial education curriculum mandates for schools.”
“Dynamic updates” to the program include increased access to Biz Kid$ educational assets for teachers, families and credit unions, along with refreshing the best-selling book, “How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000,” scheduled for release in early 2024, the organization said, adding that Glista is also leading the redevelopment of the Biz Kid$ online platform.
New Stories, Games
The latter will include new Biz Kid$ stories for teachers and credit unions, games, a podcast and new teaching tools. Biz Kid$ financial education assets and tools are available free to teachers, including off-air record rights for the entire public television series.
Biz Kid$’ said the change in management comes with the retirement of former partner Jamie Hammond. “I’m so incredibly excited to move the Biz Kid$ brand into the digital age,” said Glista. “During my transition to managing partner, I’ve heard from teachers, credit unions, our book publisher and series distributors that there is high demand for a revitalized Biz Kid$ brand.”
According to BizKid$, Glista is also leading a co-development partnership discussion with Jamie Strayer, creator and executive producer of Opportunity Knock$, a new series premiering on PBS stations and streaming in November. Starring Jean Chatzky, Opportunity Knock$ is a reality empowerment series featuring nonprofits, credit unions and U.S. Treasury Department-certified community development financial institutions, BizKid$ stated, adding the Biz Kid$ and Opportunity Knock$ cross-over promotion creates end-to-end, full-family financial empowerment and new outlets for the promotion of Biz Kid$.
‘Smart Move’
“Jeannine’s leadership is a smart move for Biz Kid$,” said Strayer, who worked with Glista on the creation of Biz Kid$. “I see great things happening that increase the presence of both brands and their positive impact on families.”
Seventy-one episodes of Biz Kid$ air across America on both public and commercial television stations as part of the continued Federal Communications Commission mandate to provide quality educational and informational kids' programming (E/I). Biz Kid$ has earned two national Emmy Awards, plus 12 nominations; two Parents' Choice Awards; a Silver Telly Award and an Environmental Media Award.