Moonbug will create and develop the show, VeeFriends, with shorts set to debut on YouTube in late summer 2024.
Moonbug Entertainment, a Candle Media company, and VaynerWatt, a production studio founded by Gary Vaynerchuk, Eric Wattenberg and Matt Higgins, has announced a strategic partnership to produce a premium content franchise based on the VeeFriends universe.
VeeFriends is a contemporary entertainment company that combines collectibles, events, games and technology to allow people to make stronger connections with themselves and VeeFriends characters. The brand says it is scaling its unique characters and their qualities to ‘create a happier world by inspiring creativity, self-discovery, and personal growth’.
Gary Vaynerchuk
“I built VeeFriends in order to help change the world through dynamic characters that were both virtuous and entertaining, engaging and enlightening,” said Gary Vaynerchuk. “I am excited to work with Candle Media and Moonbug Entertainment, which share many of the same core values, to expand this franchise for new platforms and audiences.”
René Rechtman, co-founder and CEO, Moonbug Entertainment, added: “Our companies share a vision to contribute to the development and enrichment of the next generation, which naturally allows for a strong partnership. The VeeFriends characters and universe that Gary and his team have created will make a strong foundation for an engaging show, which our team is excited to develop.”
Titled VeeFriends, the 2D-animated show will be rated for children aged 6-11. The show takes viewers into the VeeFriends universe and features a collection of larger-than-life characters who compete in the VeeDome, the ultimate over-the-top challenge arena, to battle out the biggest issues facing tweendom today. Every character who goes into the VeeDome comes out a little stronger – and a lot more self-aware.
“VeeFriends is thrilled to be partnering with Moonbug to create a show that not only entertains but nurtures emotional intelligence,” said VeeFriends president Andy Krainak. “Through our characters, we aim to inspire both empathy and competition, empowering the next generation to balance passion with emotional understanding.”
Episodes will be released starting from late summer 2024 as three-minute shorts on YouTube. The show presents an opportunity for co-viewing, as it covers themes and storylines for parents and kids to explore and discuss together.
Kevin Mayer
“With the VeeFriends universe, Gary and the VaynerWatt team have built an innovative, inspiring, digitally-native storyworld, which has galvanised a deeply engaged community around characters that espouse positive values,” said Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, Candle Media co-founders and co-CEOs. “We are excited for Candle and Moonbug to join the VeeFriends family, to further develop these unique characters into an innovative premium content franchise.”
