Tag Archives: Cartoonito

Epic Story Media signs deals on slate of zombies, horses and heroes

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Independent content creation, distribution and licensing company Epic Story Media (ESM) has signed deals for both broadcast and licensing partners on a number of key titles across its slate of children’s programming – as well as debuting new MIPCOM launches.

ESM has sold evergreen brand Pocoyo to WarnerMedia Kids & Family US, which launched on 13 September, for its Cartoonito preschool block. Additionally, ESM has also recently signed with Knowledge Network to air the series in Canada.

Owned by Zinkia Entertainment, Pocoyo (209 x 7’) is a fun and educational series about a little boy who discovers the world around him with his inseparable group of friends, now with a brand-new season available. It is co-managed in North America by B&R360 and ESM representing licensing and content distribution.

ESM and Mowrer Meta-Story have partnered with Reesee Entertainment for its brand-new animated series Hailey and the Hero Hearts (26 x 11’), which launched in China this summer on over 40 mainstream linear and digital platforms. Reesee has developed and is also distributing an expansive toy line in China. Hailey and the Hero Hearts (pictured) has a social-emotional curriculum at its core and is primarily aimed at girls aged 4 to 8. ESM handles worldwide sales ex. Asia for the series.

ESM is also launching global sales for Pet Shop Zombies (20 x 5’), a hilarious short-form series created by Aron Dunn (Treason Media) and Simon Watts (Alibi Pivotal Kids), with animation services provided at Loomi Animation and supported with the help of Shaw Rocket Fund.

Ken Faier, El Presidente and Founder of Epic Story Media, said: “ESM has an exciting slate of diverse and inclusive properties for kids of all ages, we’re working with the best creators making and selling projects from around the world that kids will connect with and treasure. We’re proud to have secured fantastic collaborations with partners like Reesee Entertainment, WarnerMedia, and Knowledge Network on this dynamic bunch of shows.”

Other projects on the slate include the adventure/comedy Dex and the Humanimals(6 x 11’), produced by sister company Epic Storyworlds and commissioned by Radio-Canada, which follows Dex as he saves the world from destruction by battling Kaz and her cybernetic henchmen; and Piper’s Pony Tales (30 x 3.5’) – the unique series created by Alexander Bar (Ricky Zoom, Wolf Joe) is supported by Shaw Rocket Fund and CMF. Piper’s Pony Tales launched earlier this summer as a digital-first property and has already secured Breyer as its Master Toy Partner for North America and LATAM.

 

 

 

FuturumKids announces 10 new ‘Paddles’ offerings, including plush and apparel, will hit stores in time for Christmas

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Following the successful launch on Cartoonito UK and RTE of state-of-the-art animation series Paddles, its creator, FuturumKids, is looking forward to a busy Christmas for its e-commerce range of Paddles merchandise.

Paddles fans can look forward to ten SKUs including plush and apparel. Manufactured in Shanghai and distributed via fulfilment houses in Northampton, London and Dublin, these will be available through the FuturumKids e-commerce portal well in time for the Christmas market.

Further broadcast expansion is expected over the coming months, with brand management company Monster Entertainment – which is handling global television sales for Paddles in all territories except Korea – expected to announce further territory deals in the coming weeks.

Paddles tells the story of a polar bear cub accidentally delivered by the Stork to a frozen River Shannon in Ireland – and brought up by a pack of Irish wolfhounds. Through the adventures, mistakes and discoveries of its funny and huggable star, and his friends Bracken, Bridie and Fagan, the series shows its young audience that being different is something to be celebrated and enjoyed.

This is the latest stage in the broadcast and merchandising development of Paddles, whose makers include members of the team behind the seven-time Emmy-award-winning children’s series Jakers!

Both Futurum and Monster Entertainment will be sending a strong team to entertainment industry exhibition MIPCOM, with the aim of building more broadcast alliances. Apart from expansion for Paddles, new FuturumKids projects including Ling Ling, the story of a wide-eyed panda newly arrived from Shanghai at Tavistock’s International School for Animals, London’s premier – and most eccentric – preschool. Ling Ling is already in production.

“We’ve been delighted by the response to Paddles in both the UK and Ireland,” says Brendan Kelly, Head of Sales at FuturumKids. “The wonderful characters, witty stories and stunning animation have clearly charmed a large number of four-to-seven-year-old viewers – and their parents. As the show’s reach continues to expand to new territories and new viewers, now is undoubtedly the right time to address growing demand for Paddle merchandise – and we’re ready.”

FuturumKids recently announced the establishment of a global HQ for its growing list of productions. The company is now based in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, where its new HQ will house both the company’s main offices and a full animation studio.

CoComelon to air on the UK’s Cartoonito in ‘milestone’ partnership for Moonbug Entertainment

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Moonbug Entertainment has secured a ‘milestone’ partnership with the UK’s popular pre-school network, Cartoonito thaat will see its hit series CoComelon air on the channel each weekday at 5pm.

From April 5, all available episodes of Moonbug’s flagship pre-school series will be accessible, delivering ‘hours of engaging entertainment’ to pre-school kids in the UK.

“This partnership is a true milestone for Moonbug. Cartoonito as a premium children-dedicated linear channel is the first in the UK to pick up the digitally-originated CoComelon,” said Nicolas Eglau, managing director EMEA and APAC, Moonbug.

“This cooperation not only widens the reach of Moonbug programming, but is also a further vote of confidence in digital content, underscoring the trust that Moonbug has built with its globally loved IPs.”

Featuring 3D animation and catchy tunes, CoComelon follows JJ and his siblings as they go on fun, relatable adventures, playing, exploring and learning along the way. CoComelon models positivity and good behavior and supports preschoolers’ learning through music, providing parents an opportunity to teach and play with their children as they watch together.

Moonbug Entertainment is an award-winning global entertainment company with a portfolio of kids’ programming that includes not only CoComelon, but Blippi, Little Baby Bum, and My Magic Pet Morphle, with content available in 27 languages.

Most recently, Moonbug tapped the UK’s Character Options as master toy partner for Morphle, bolstering a slate of recent licensing advances for the pre-school studio.

In just two years, Moonbug has become a kids’ programming powerhouse with a library of more than 550 hours of content, which is distributed on more than 100 platforms globally, including YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Joyn, Sky and Roku.

Mondo’s TV MeteoHeroes arrives in Italy with Cartoonito premiere

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Mondo TV’s original children’s animated series MeteoHeroes is coming to Italy, having secured its worldwide premiere on Cartoonito. The launch will be accompanied by a marketing campaign and a growing licensee list.

The show – in which six kids use their superpowers to protect the planet from extreme weather events and pollution – will premiere with a special four-episode sneak preview in April on the free-to-air channel Cartoonito, a leading DTTV and satellite channel for pre-schoolers operated by Boing SpA.

The premiere date of April 22nd was  chosen to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Four episodes will be premiered at evening prime time (beginning between 7.30pm and 8pm) during the Earth Day anniversary celebration.

Viewers will be also able to hear the MeteoHeroes theme song for the first time, a catchy number performed by Francesco Facchinetti, former italian DJ, producer, singer, musician, TV presenter, radio host, actor and businessman.

The premiere will be accompanied by a major media campaign during which the stars of MeteoHeroes will play their roles as ambassadors in the fight to protect our planet.

The series will then officially launch in June when the four opening episodes will again appear, followed by 14 new episodes, further building brand momentum ahead of the launch of new episodes in October, when previous episodes will begin a second run.

MeteoHeroes, a Mondo TV co-production with Meteo Expert Center, a leading Italian weather forecasting group with a strong international reputation, addresses issues such as climate change, ecology and respect for nature through the adventures of six super-powered children. I

MeteoHeroes has already attracted a number of major licensees. The values of sustainability and respect for the environment will be reflected in the show’s licensing programme.

Already in Europe, Giunti has been tapped to produce books and activity books, while Playpress plans a magic book and colouring and activity books for the newsstand channel.

Mondadori is on board for a monthly magazine – with MeteoHeroes-inspired gadgets, Eu.Promotions will be handling the loyalty promotion category, and Ravensburger will be producing puzzles and memory games.

Among other categories, home video will be handled by Koch Media and Kimbe will organise shopping mall events as the licensee of costume characters for meet-and-greet activities. Many other negotiations are ongoing or completed, including a range of Easter eggs for 2021.

The consumer products programme will launch at retail soon: the first licensed products will be on shelves by October 2020.

Supporting the brand’s marketing activities, Mondadori and Mediamond have joined to devise Globo WePlanet, an open-air, interactive exhibition of contemporary art and design, focusing on sustainable development with the aim of raising awareness among people and businesses.

The six MeteoHeroes will even feature in a dedicated human-sized globe installed in downtown Milan from June to September, accompanied by an augmented reality element. Attendees will be able to point their smartphone at the globe and be taken to a page that offers information on the project and the artist who made it.

Matteo Corradi, Mondo TV CEO, said: “The arrival of MeteoHeroes on Cartoonito is a major statement about the quality, originality and potential of this new series. We think the time is right for a show that addresses important issues in an engaging, exciting way that boys and girls everywhere will love – and this is it. There really isn’t anything like MeteoHeroes on TV anywhere.”

Luigi Latini, CEO, Meteo Expert Center – IconaMeteo, creator and executive producer of MeteoHeroes, added: “MeteoHeroes perfectly balances action, humour and superb design with some genuinely fascinating insights into the weather, how it works, and how our actions can affect it.

“It’s great entertainment that has something really important to say about climate change and about the global issue of pollution and we’re very proud to have helped to bring it to the screen. I am sure that children everywhere will love it – and so will parents.”