MOLANG partners with Gen Z influencers and youth charity for World Kindness Day

MOLANG, the digital property owned and produced by Paris-based production studio Millimages, has recruited a group of UK-based Gen Z influencers as the #MolangKindnessCrew to help spread kindness.

In another act of kindness, MOLANG has donated £10,000 to The Mix – the UK’s leading support service for young people – to help fund its upcoming #OneKindWord campaign which aims to curb cyberbullying.

Timed to coincide with this year’s World Kindness Day (13 November) and the UK’s Anti-Bullying Week (15-19 November), this is MOLANG’S first purpose-led activity in the UK.

The Mix provides a free and confidential 24-hour support network for under 25s.  MOLANG’s donation will fund a two-week digital campaign focused on cyberbullying, providing support and advice for those affected by online bullying and trolling, as well as aligning with the UK’s Anti-Bullying Alliance’s 2021 theme “One Kind Word” by creating, promoting and inspiring kindness pledges.

Animations, GIFs and images of MOLANG will feature across the campaign’s content (co-created by young people and experts). Comprising videos, articles, Q&As, quizzes, reels, social resource packs and a competition, the content will be promoted across The Mix’s social media channels, online community, email newsletter and website with a dedicated Bullying Support hub page: themix.org.uk/bullying-support.

Zoë Bailie, Deputy CEO at The Mix, says: “Bullying can have a massively destructive impact on the lives of young people, leading to poor mental health and low self-esteem. The Mix is hugely grateful to  MOLANG for championing our work on this issue, by funding our campaign and helping us reach even more young people who are experiencing bullying and offering them free and confidential support. MOLANG is the perfect partner to collaborate with to spread kindness and compassion during Anti-Bullying Week.”

Set to be unveiled on World Kindness Day, the #MolangKindnessCrew initially comprises four Gen Z influencers who will post co-branded video content across Instagram and TikTok, inviting their followers to tag a friend – with a kind word about them – in the comments and in stories. Millimages hopes the #MolangKindnessCrew will grow exponentially in 2022, so that more social communities engage with MOLANG’s mission to spread kindness worldwide.

Marina Narishkin of Millimages comments: “MOLANG’s core value is kindness – something that particularly resonates with today’s Gen Zs who are a key target audience for the property worldwide – and partnering with the Mix is kindness in action. We are also excited to recruit our first UK members of the #MolangKindnessCrew and roll out the concept internationally, with the help of our 11 international licensing agents, as part of our long-term brand strategy.”

MOLANG started life in 2010 as a doodle by Hye Ji Yoon, a Korean illustrator, but quickly grew into a digital sensation, with over 16 billion views on GIPHY and more than 4 million social media followers. Having acquired global rights in 2015, Millimages produced a MOLANG Tv series of over 260 episodes sold in 190 countries, thanks to author and creator Marie-Caroline Villand, which has now evolved into a lifestyle brand with a successful consumer products programme, supported by 11 international licensing agents.

The UK licensing agent for MOLANG is The Point. 1888

 

Millimages taps The Point. 1888 for Molang licensing push across the UK’s Gen Z and pre-school audiences

The Paris-based production company, Millimages has tapped The Point. 1888 to represent Molang across the UK, as the animation studio looks to build on the character’s growing social audience of 4 million fans across the globe.

Launched initially as a pre-school IP supported by four animated TV series on Tiny Pop and Netflix in the UK, Molang has picked up a cult following of Gen Z and Millennial fans, an age group that embraces the character’s friendship themes, happiness and humour – evidenced by the 13 billion views of Molang on giphy.

Millimages has also witnessed strong adult sales of Molang accessories via the webshop – www.molang.com – that it launched last December.

The Point.1888’s brief will be to define and develop a new, retail-focused licensing strategy for Molang which primarily targets young UK adults (18 to 24 year olds), whilst also encompassing its secondary pre-school audience.

A phased category rollout, split by audience, will kick off with a range of adult gift and accessories (Abysse Corp), plush, apparel, publishing and then followed by fashion and jewellery collaborations.

Other softlines planned for 2022 onwards include homewares, health and beauty plus cosmetic collaborations. Hardline categories identified include gaming and FMCG.

Retail targets for these young adult ranges will encompass specialist outlets that appeal to lovers of Korean culture (Molang was originally created by a Korean artist) and fans of kawaii products, as well as more mainstream high street retailers.

For Molang’s pre-school audience, The Point.1888 will develop baby and toddler nightwear, fashion daywear and accessories, together with book and magazine publishing.

Mickael Zeggagh, commercial director licensing at Millimages said: “Our long-term vision is to build Molang into a global, 360 lifestyle brand for all ages. We’re certain The Point will become an invaluable strategic partner to help us realise this vision in the UK – a hugely important market.

“Together with Highlight PR, whose brief this year is to increase their creative influencer campaigns to continue driving brand awareness amongst Gen Zs and millennials, we are now in a strong position to ensure Molang takes off in the UK.”

Will Stewart, founder and managing director, The Point.1888, added: “We’re really thrilled to be working with Millimages studio and Molang. This is one of those brands that the entire team got excited about and the potential across retail and product is endless.

“As a retail-first agency we see what buyers want and ask for, and with Molang we can tick so many boxes. 2021 and beyond is going to be incredibly exciting for our team and all at Millimages, as we roll out our agreed strategy, work together on new creative and introduce this brand to a wider audience. As well as some exciting collaborations which we cannot wait to get started on.”

Millimages builds strong Molang licensing roster for 2021 spanning plush, collectables, and more

Millimages has secured a raft of new licensing partners for its popular animated IP, Molang, spanning the plush and stationery aisles, as well as apparel, collectibles, and more.

Kicking off the slate, Millimages has tapped NICI to develop new Molang plush ranges to launch across Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and Austria this autumn. The collection will feature not only plush, but plush keyrings and special Molang stationery.

Meanwhile, this year’s fourth quarter will see Molang strengthen its presence in the collectables space with the launch of a new partnership with Panini. The deal will witness the arival of a Molang sticker book, completing a wider collection of books and a Molang magazine. The sticker book will launch in Germany and Spain.

Abysse will have the accessories sector tied-up with the launch of a series of cosmetic cases, acrylic figures, and 2d acrylic key chains, as well as a selection of mugs, all to be released this July. September will then see the launch of a line of Molang phone cases, pins, 2D and 3D keyrings, glasses, cookie jars, notebooks, and pens.

Molang has found recent succes in the publishing sector with the launch of the first Molang magazine earlier this month. A second issue will be released in June and will aim to help teach children about positivity and positive education. It will run a feature on yoga and kids’ meditation.

Across broadcast, Molang has secured new partnerships with a host of European channels, including Rai YoYo in Italy for seasons three and four, Tiny POP in the UK for season four, OCS in France for season three, and Canal Panda in Spain for season three.

Molang team Millimages appoints former Walt Disney exec as new senior sales manager and producer

The French animation studio, Millimages, the producer behind hit animated series such as Molang, Louie, Mouk, and Pirata and Capitano, has reinforced its commercial team with a new senior sales manager and producer in the form of Sépideh Shirazi-Moayed.

In her new position, the former Disney acquisitions manager will help to propel the studio’s success by focusing on the production of new series on major video on demand platforms such as Netflix, iTunes and Amazon. She will also be a key player in enhancing exposure on linear and non-linear channels across the US, UK, Germany, and the Middle East.

With a background in law initially,, it was a love for animation that drove Shirazi-Moayed to pursue a master’s degree in Audiovisual Marketing and Distribution, and from that point on her career quickly evolved from programming and acquisitions coordinator at major French channels Canal J and Tiji, to acquisitions, compliance and productions manager at The Walt Disney Company in France.

Throughout her successful career, Shirazi-Moayed has also held roles such as compliance supervisor for Al Jazeera children’s channel, as well as contracts administrator for Canal Plus’ legal department. Her years of experience working with some of the biggest names of the entertainment industry eventually led to her assuming a managing position at Disney.

“I am very excited to join one of the most established independent animation studios in Europe that develops, produces and distributes high quality family entertainment worldwide,” said Shirazi-Moayed. “I am confident that my background in acquisitions will provide me with the right tools to lead Millimages’ commercial activities to new dimensions.”

Roch Lener, CEO, Millimages, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Sépideh to the Millimages team. She will play a pivotal role in maximising the potential of our existing and future commercial success.”

Molang goes for millennials and Gen Zs in Animal Crossing: New Horizons in game partnership

Molang has launched five in-game looks on the video game smash hit, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, as part of the brand’s global strategy to reach millennials and Gen Z audiences.

A collection of five Molang player accessories are now available in the official shop, with free download friend codes hosted on Molang’s official Facebook , Instagram and YouTube channels. Millimages has confirmed that it will be supporting Molang’s apparel licensees in the promotion of their collections through Animal Crossing.

The new tie-up continues a busy period for the brand – which is represented in the UK and Ireland by Licensing Link Europe.

A Molang music album has notched up significant success on streaming platforms including Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music and Amazon. The ten songs are streamed over 40,000 times per month on Spotify and 20,000 times on Apple Music. Millimages supported the launch with nine animated video clips which are available on the Molang YouTube channel and have received more than one million views.

Meanwhile, Molang filters on Facebook and Instagram have proved popular since their launch in April and a reported 5,000 pictures are taken per week, generating more than 300,000 impressions.

The company is also busy developing an English version of the Molang website for Q4 2020, which launched in French in May 2019 and welcomes 10,000 visitors per month.

Lise Cosentino, director of marketing and communication at Millimages, said: “Molang may have found international fame on the internet, but we’re extending its rapid digital growth by tapping into the lifestyle activities our target audiences enjoy – including gaming. Partnering with Animal Crossing: New Horizons further demonstrates that Molang is more than a hit TV animation.”

Ian Wickham, director at Licensing Link Europe added: “This further emphasises the support that Millimages is providing, to ensure Molang continues to build at pace with the core consumers and in the right places.

“The dynamics of brand engagement have changed significantly since the start of the year and so to be involved with one of the stand out successes – Animal Crossing: New Horizons – highlights the appetite Millimages have for the properties’ success.”

 

Molang goes for millennials and Gen Zs in Animal Crossing: New Horizons in game partnership

Molang has launched five in-game looks on the video game smash hit, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, as part of the brand’s global strategy to reach millennials and Gen Z audiences.

A collection of five Molang player accessories are now available in the official shop, with free download friend codes hosted on Molang’s official Facebook , Instagram and YouTube channels. Millimages has confirmed that it will be supporting Molang’s apparel licensees in the promotion of their collections through Animal Crossing.

The new tie-up continues a busy period for the brand – which is represented in the UK and Ireland by Licensing Link Europe.

A Molang music album has notched up significant success on streaming platforms including Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music and Amazon. The ten songs are streamed over 40,000 times per month on Spotify and 20,000 times on Apple Music. Millimages supported the launch with nine animated video clips which are available on the Molang YouTube channel and have received more than one million views.

Meanwhile, Molang filters on Facebook and Instagram have proved popular since their launch in April and a reported 5,000 pictures are taken per week, generating more than 300,000 impressions.

The company is also busy developing an English version of the Molang website for Q4 2020, which launched in French in May 2019 and welcomes 10,000 visitors per month.

Lise Cosentino, director of marketing and communication at Millimages, said: “Molang may have found international fame on the internet, but we’re extending its rapid digital growth by tapping into the lifestyle activities our target audiences enjoy – including gaming. Partnering with Animal Crossing: New Horizons further demonstrates that Molang is more than a hit TV animation.”

Ian Wickham, director at Licensing Link Europe added: “This further emphasises the support that Millimages is providing, to ensure Molang continues to build at pace with the core consumers and in the right places.

“The dynamics of brand engagement have changed significantly since the start of the year and so to be involved with one of the stand out successes – Animal Crossing: New Horizons – highlights the appetite Millimages have for the properties’ success.”

 

Millimages brings Molang to the Paris Aquarium for exhibition on plastic pollution

The French animation studio Millimages has partnered with the Paris Aquarium to bring the popular character Molang to a special exhibition that will educate children on how to preserve the oceans from plastic pollution.

The exhibition will run from January 11 until March 9 this year and will feature both Molang and his best friend Piu Piu throughout the venue. The aquarium will be re-branded with Molang wall graphics, ticket counters, boutiques, screens, TV, flyers and a photobooth.

A new live show – targeting children aged three years and above – will aim to show children the right actions to take to preserve the oceans. In addition, every weekend and through the school holidays, Molang will appear at the Aquarium for meet and greets with fans.

Lise Cosentino, director marketing and communication, Millimages, said: “We have been working on this collaboration for more than a year now. It has been a unique experience to customise three 500m² in the very heart of Paris with Molang. The Paris Aquarium is a popular family outing for Parisians and tourists.”

Children can also take part in creative workshops themed around the marine world with the characters including building their own mobiles featuring maritime motifs or colouring in the fish with Molang and Piu Piu.

Other activities will include a treasure hunt, while a dedicated app will be available during the exhibition featuring interactive games.

Ian Wickham, director, Licensing Link Europe, added: “We are delighted to see Molang and Piu Piu delivering a campaign such as this at the highly regarding Paris Aquarium. Part of the DNA of the show and interaction of the key characters focuses around happiness and mutual respect – which fits in perfectly with the education of young people to how to respect the oceans which, in turn, delivers a feeling of happiness that they are doing their bit in understanding how we can make positive differences.”

Special screenings of episodes of the TV series will also be broadcast in the Aquarium’s movie theatre.

The partnership will continue to build on the already high profile of Molang in France. Season four launched on PIWI+ (Canal+) in September 2019 and is broadcast every day.

TF1, meanwhile, is airing two episodes in a row every weekday, with season three having launched in November 2019. Molang is also available on Netflix.