Toronto-based cross-platform producer marblemedia has partnered with L.A.-based exec producer, writer and director Frank Saperstein and his newly formed entertainment development company Surprise Bag Inc. to develop new animated comedy projects for the kids and scripted genres, it was announced Thursday.

“We have such a strong history working with Frank on projects like Teletoon’s The Dating Guy. This is a natural step in deepening our collaborative relationship with an eye to accelerating marble’s production and distribution animated pipeline,” said marblemedia co-CEO and exec producer Matt Hornburg in a statement.

“marblemedia’s progressive thinking, steady growth and existing infrastructure in production, digital mnedia and distribution, coupled with Surprise Bag’s global contacts, industry experience and creative acumen allows for a perfect synergy between the two companies,” said Saperstein in his own statement.

Saperstein, who had previously held tenure as senior VP of family television at eOne, earlier this month launched the Surprise Bag, Inc. banner to develop a diverse slate of programming and pursue other business opportunities.

“The strategy at Surprise Bag is content discovery, creation, nurturing and building for traditional and evolving platforms in partnerships that provide distribution, infrastructure, financing and areas of expertise that complement Surprise Bag. I am energized to be cementing strategic alliances with great collaborators on a diverse slate of projects,” Saperstein said at the time of launch, adding that content emphasis would be on kids and family programming.

While at eOne, Saperstein exec produced marblemedia’s animated comedy The Dating Guy and tween comedy Majority Rules, both for Teletoon. Previous to eOne, Saperstein was SVP kids and animated programming at Blueprint Entertaiment, co-CEO/creative director of Philippine Animation Studio Inc. and development exec at VH1/MTV Networks.