During the conception phase for the series in 2010, show creator Lauren Faust and Hasbro signed Studio B Productions (later renamed to DHX Media) to animate, and Studio B pitched Thiessen to be supervising director, which Faust agreed with. Thiessen's initial reaction to the position was "brace for girly overload", but he became excited once he saw Faust's development materials. When Faust departed from the show in 2011, Thiessen assumed the role of showrunner for season two in her place.