Jetpack restructures sales, acquisitions and marketing outfit for global expansion

Global kids and family content distributor Jetpack Distribution has today announced a new team structure to grow its operations across the globe and consolidate the company’s efforts in the sales and acquisitions of stand-out, high quality content.

Sophie ‘Kido’ Prigent has been promoted to Global Head of Sales, leading sales in Asia, Canada, France, Latin America, Portugal, Spain and the Nordic countries, and AVOD sales globally. She will drive the sale of all content within Jetpack’s catalogue, working with broadcasters and VOD platforms, to find homes for the company’s diverse range of kids and family series across all genres and formats. Kido will continue to support the global acquisitions team and be the direct contact for producers in her territories.

Gillian Calvert Ridge has been promoted to Global Distribution Director – Acquisitions and Development, leading the company’s acquisition of shows that are produced and in development stages. She will be focused on significantly growing this area, to further build Jetpack’s slate and identify the best content from producers and creators across the world. She will also handle content sales for Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Matt Bowen has been appointed as Acquisitions Co-ordinator and will report directly to Gillian.

Sales Executive Toby Jones grows his remit to include selling kids’ and family content in Benelux, Central Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Italy. Toby will report to Sophie ‘Kido’ Prigent.

Rhiannon Lyons has been promoted to Marketing and Operations Manager, working alongside CEO Dominic Gardiner to promote the company – and its slate – across the world.

Sophie, Gillian and Rhiannon will report directly to Gardiner.

Gardiner says: “Jetpack has enjoyed exponential growth since launch, momentum we wish to pick up and accelerate even further! We’re blessed to work with 40-plus producers of exceptional quality content and are focused on further expansion.

“The changes and promotions reflect the hard work and dedication of the team, as well as their brilliant relationships and connections within the kids and family industry.”

Jetpack Distribution was founded in 2014 and it has gone on to become a leading global distributor of kids shows including Master Moley, Clangers, Chuggington, Mighty Little Bheem, Wolf, Talking Tom and Friends, Yoko, Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed and Kitty is Not a Cat. The company was nominated the number one distribution business in the prestigious KIDSCREEN HOT 50.

Edutainment Licensing named worldwide licensing agent for preschool publishing brand Eat Dirt

Edutainment Licensing has been appointed the worldwide exclusive licensing agent for the new preschool publishing brand, Eat Dirt, a franchise that spans story books and poems that encourage a love of veggies, children’s gardening, and healthy habits among kids’ aged two to five.

Written by the US author and illustrator, Stacy Moore, the Eat Dirt stories and poems have been inspired by fond childhood memories of romping outside in the garden while munching freshly picked berries and digging in the dirt. The books’ veggie characters each have their own personalities, representing all children of all races and body types.

Moore’s work also features a cast of more unusual characters that don’t fit any mold, such as Green Thumb Chums (a two headed friendly garden monster), Peeve (a little pet compost pile), and unusual boggish creatures, all developed with the idea of being relatable to children and readers.

While every veggie and animal character are different from one another, everyone is accepted and loved and valued. They each contribute their own special skills to the garden community. 

‘Beans don’t expect tomatoes to be like beans, toads don’t expect owls to be like toads, dragonflies don’t expect worms to fly, nor do they think they are better because they can – they can’t dig holes like worms!’ read a statement from the team. 

A rich and comprehensive publishing programme is offered with worldwide rights currently available.

“We are so excited to be working with Stacy – her delightful stories and poems teach kids all about the garden and include a healthy dose of pure silliness, which they love,” said Denise Deane, owner of Edutainment Licensing.

“I am delighted to work with Edutainment Licensing,” added Stacy. “They are a highly successful team dedicated to helping children learn the best way possible – through fun! From my many years of experience as a children’s photographer, I know the importance of keeping kids entertained and happy – otherwise they are off and running.”

Rubies invites gothic kids’ book character Amelia Fang into the licensed dress up collection

Rubies is expanding its children’s book character range of dress up costumes with the addition of the popular quirky gothic-inspired publishing IP, Amelia Fang.

Created by author and illustrator Laura Ellen, the Amelia Fang book series is published by Farshore/HarperCollins UK and has sold over 380,000 copies in the UK, as well as translated into 24 languages worldwide. It follows the tale of a little vampire with a big heart as she embarks on adventures on the city of Nocturnia.

The title is favoured by seven to nine year olds, with seven books in the series, filled with gothic tales and creative illustrations. Rubies notes that the character Amelia Fang works well within World Book Day and Halloween ranges.

The costumes themselves will feature Amelia Fang, the lead character, and her signature spooky outfits in a variety of sizes. Rubies will design, market, manufacture and distribute the range in the UK next year.  

The IP is the latest to joins a robust and growing portfolio of character licenses that spans everything from Marvel and DC to the likes of Dennis the Menace and Horrid Henry.

Tracey Devine-Tyley, head of licensing and portfolio EMEA, said: “We understand how important reading is to children as it helps develop their minds and imaginations and we strive to support this through any of the licenses we hold which celebrate reading. Amelia Fang is a fantastic license for us to acquire as it is a beloved book series, with a strong and growing group of fans consisting of both children and parents.”

Laura Ellen Anderson, creator of Amelia Fang, added: “I’m so excited to see Rubies bring the Amelia Fang costume to life. It’s wonderful to know that my fans and readers will be able to easily access this costume which can be worn for events such as World Book Day and Halloween, or just for fun.”

The costumes will be available to order early next year on www.rubiesuk.com. 

Macmillan Children’s Books lands LEGO City publishing partnership with Ameet

Macmillan Children’s Books has landed a new publishing partnership with AMEET Publishing and the global toy brand, LEGO, to launch a series of LEGO illustrated novelty board books for preschoolers.

The global deal will span all languages and was completed by Nicole Pearson, publishing director, brand and media, at Macmillan Children’s Books alongside Dan Shepherd, international sales and marketing director at AMEET.

The books will be based on the popular LEGO City brand and will tap into preschool topics such as Fire Station and Building Site, and will feature specially commissioned artwork. The series will launch in August this year with two titles in Macmillan Children’s Books’ Busy Book format. These will be followed by a seasonal Christmas title.

Macmillan’s best-selling Busy Book format sells all around the world and its popular push, pull and slide mechanisms allow young children to interact with the book in a fun and rewarding way. The books will promote the LEGO themes and values, encouraging imagination and creativity among children.

Pearson commented: “The LEGO Group is known and loved by children and parents the world over and we are delighted to be  working in partnership with AMEET on this series of LEGO novelty board books for pre-schoolers which  are sure to captivate young children.”

Stephanie Barton, publisher, preschool, brands and media at Macmillan Children’s Books said: “The LEGO Group’s values of imagination, creativity and quality are closely aligned to those of Macmillan and we are thrilled to be working with this world-class brand as part of our developing media strategy.”

AMEET’ s Shepherd, concluded: “AMEET is LEGO Publishing’s strategic partner for the LEGO Books imprint. We are delighted to partner with Macmillan  Children’s Books to publish LEGO Books in the Busy Books format with novelty elements and stories that encourage young readers to interact with the book, these titles fit perfectly into our Playful Reading  programme that promotes creativity, imagination, and play.”