Leonine takes 25% stake in German kids outfit Toon2Tango

Jo Daris & Hans Ulrich Stoef

German production and distribution group Leonine has snagged its latest investment, this time acquiring a 25.1% stake in Toon2Tango.

Toon2Tango was founded three years ago by former Studio 100 execs Hans Ulrich Stoef and Jo Daris, who produced shows including Mia And Me.

Its upcoming slate includes the 26-part hybrid series Lily Of Fawonia, which will be unveiled at MIPCOM next week, and Toon2Tango’s first live-action concept, Macara’s Curse, which has been developed with Anjali Taneja (House Of Anubis).

Leonine is already behind kids and family shows such as Heidi, Mia And Me and The Gruffalo, as well as features including The School Of Magical Animals, The Ogglies and Raven The Little Rascal.

Stoef was a founding shareholder of M4E, which he sold to Studio 100 Media in 2018 and then became CEO and chairman of the group’s content committee at the merged company. Daris, meanwhile, was chief content officer at Studio 100 and led the launch of Studio 100 Animation in France.

Fred Kogel, CEO of Leonine Studios, said the acquisition “completed the value chain in kids and family entertainment by enhancing content development and production.”

Bernhard zu Castell, chief distribution officer at Leonine, added: “Animation is already an essential part of our DNA. We know the success factors behind attractive content in this sector and have now combined all the components that enable us to build holistic brand worlds in kids and family entertainment and continue this success story together. ”

Ulrich Stoef added that the deal would allow his company to “strengthen our market position” and provide the “full power to build a major European player in children’s and family entertainment.”