French prodcos launch Kids First Distribution firm

Paris-based producers Watch Next Media and Monello Productions have pooled resources to create sales company Kids First Distribution.

Watch Next founder and former Télé Images chief Philippe Alessandri is chairing the business, and French animation industry sales veteran Marie Lassal has been named head of sales.

Watch Next and Monello have equal shareholdings, with French media investor Sofica Sofitvcine providing private equity funding.

Kids First will sell Watch Next shows such as Elvis Riboldi, Best Bugs and Nate is Late, Monello’s Max & Maestro (pictured), Marble Gen and Rocky Kwaterner; and will shop third party programming.

Sales chief Lassal has worked at Normaal Animation, France TV Distribution and Mediatoon, while Alessandri created Watch Next in 2015.

Kids First will be based in Boulogne-Billancourt at the offices of Tetra Media Group, the ITV-owned production group.

Tetra will look after Kids First’s legal and financial operations.