US-based kids content company Genius Brands International has hired Zrinka Dekic as its new chief financial officer, as well as its head of strategy and mergers and acquisitions. The appointment comes following Genius Brand’s recent acquisitions of both Canada’s WOW! Unlimited Media and Germany’s Your Family Entertainment as the company continues its global expansion. Dekic […]
Kartoon Genius block launches on YFE Genius Brands International has unveiled a new block of children’s animated series and expanded distribution for its international channels, following its pending acquisition of Canada’s WOW! Unlimited Media Inc. and strategic investment in Germany’s Your Family Entertainment (YFE). The new block on the YFE International channels will be branded […]
US-based kids content company Genius Brands International has acquired Canadian prodco Wow! Unlimited Media for $53m. The deal will allow Genius Brands to use WOW!’s production facilities to access Canadian tax credits and move animation production currently being undertaken by service companies in China in-house. Financial details have not been revealed, but the acquisition is […]
US-based Genius Brands International has promoted Jon Ollwerther to president of its kids streaming platform Kartoon Channel!. Ollwerther previously served in the role of general manager for the platform and will also continue as EVP of business development for Genius Brands. Prior to joining the company, was VP of media, arts & entertainment for aerial intelligence […]
Wildbrain hires Spin Master alum Withrington for development role Canada’s WildBrain has appointed Lorna Withrington to the newly created role of VP of development-animation. The former Spin Master exec will help drive the strategic vision behind the company’s multi-genre slate of original animation, collaborating closely with creators, writers, artists and other production stakeholders to “instil […]
WarnerMedia unveils EMEA kids team US-based WarnerMedia has unveiled its leadership team for its EMEA kids division, working across Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Boing, Cartoonito and the HBO Max kids offering. Vanessa Brookman, head of kids, EMEA for WarnerMedia, has appointing Sarah Fell to lead original production, with Marc Goodchild as head of digital content, Sean Henry […]
‘Paddington’ heads to China French production and distribution company StudioCanal has partnered with distributor Shanghai Senyu Media to bring animated series The Adventures Of Paddington to China. The series will be represented to broadcasters in Mainland China at the forthcoming Filmart in Hong Kong, which kicked off with a digital version on 15 March. Shanghai Senyu […]
Acamar ups Morris to new chief content role UK-based indie Acamar Films has promoted Jodie Morris to the newly created role of chief content and audiences officer. Morris joined the company, which is behind the pre-school series Bing, two years ago and is credited by Acamar as being “instrumental” in developing and implementing a global […]
Toonz and SMF Studio to co-pro new CGI series Asian animation studio Toonz Media Group has partnered with Russian outfit SMF (SoyuzmultFilm) Studio to co-produce a new CGI animated children’s series. The 52 x 11-minute series Aliens In My Backpack comes from Rob Lee and James Driscoll, creators of the hit shows Fireman Sam and […]
HBO Max seeks ‘Squish’ WarnerMedia-owned streamer HBO Max has acquired animated kids’ comedy Squish, following a deal with distributor Federation Kids & Family. The 52 x 11-minute series is due to land on the US SVOD in Q1 of 2021. Produced by Federation-owned Cottonwood Media and Planeta Junior, and executive produced and developed by John Derevlany, the […]
