By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
The global preschool brand Zoonicorn is coming to Licensing Expo with a bevy of fresh new licensing deals and expanded streaming territories.
Zoonicorn is an educational and fun preschool animated series, with short, kid-friendly episodes of seven minutes each. The series, co- produced by Toonz Entertainment and Zoonicorn, LLC, and distributed by Toonz, has been a global hit. Toonz is a media company with a lot of experience over two decades as one of the world’s most active animation production studios. The studio has produced an impressive 10,000 minutes of both 2D and CGI kids and family content per year.
Toonz has produced several animated and live action series over the years, as well as major feature films, including Wolverine, The X-Men, and Speed Racer: The Next Generation, among others.
The show is already viewed in more than 100 countries worldwide, and also has a rapidly growing presence in the licensing world. Global licensing for Zoonicorn is shared by the two companies, but headed by J’net Smith of All Art Licensing.
The Zoonicorns is a unique show in which the titular Zoonicorns inhabit the dreams of young animals, taking them on amazing adventures to help learn important social and emotional skills with a focus on determination, optimism and resilience.
The Zoonicorns cleverly guide each dreamer through a whirlwind of fun-loving escapades and when the dream is over, the young animal wakes up feeling self-confident, with the decision-making skills necessary to overcome whatever challenges they are facing. The basic concept, the producers say, is that at the heart of every solution is the one important truth; the power to solve any problem is inside of them.
Multi-Emmy Award-winner Mark Zaslove (Winnie the Pooh, Lazytown, Bob The Builder) serves as show runner and lead writer/editor for the series. The music for the show has been composed by Emmy Award winning composer Rich Dickerson.
The brand is seeing a lot of growth both in content distribution and licensing this year. Zoonicorn episodes recently made their premiere on Cartoon Network Philippines, and the leading Philippines toy distributor Playkit has launched Zoonicorn toys and other products at retail with special promotions and displays at stores and malls nationwide.
In Germany and Austria, Edel Kids has launched Zoonicorn with a theatrical release of eight episodes in more than 400 theaters across both countries during a dedicated family programming block, with product and plush giveaways supplied by Zoonicorn master toy licensee United Smile. In Singapore, Zoonicorn is set to premiere on public broadcaster Mediacorp, the nation’s largest national media network.
In the US, Future Kids Today has extended Zoonicorn’s placement on Happy Kids Channel with the acquisition of Season Two of the series. Kartoon Channel and Kabillion have also been added to the roster of US platforms.
Toonz has also reached an agreement for Zoonicorn to debut in multiple Balkans countries, including Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia and Macedonia. DexyCo Kids will begin airing Zoonicorn Season One, followed by Season Two later this year. The release of licensed products into all of the Balkans countries will follow.
Previously announced Zoonicorn licensees include master toy licensee United Smile, which will be launching with a product line of nearly a dozen toys. Others include SRM Entertainment, Inc., which has released Zoonicorn branded products under its patented, proprietary Sip With Me children’s cup line of products, plus dinnerware, and is currently expanding into new Zoonicorn branded tumblers as well as plush backpacks.
Just in time for the holiday season, Jay@Play will reintroduce Zoonoicorn plushes as part of its highly popular Wish Me brand. Jay@Play is also preparing to release Zoonicorn branded Sleepy Sacks under its Happy Nappers line.
Other licensees include Storypod, which released a Zoonicorn Promi yarn Craftie in the US which features three original audio stories and 11 songs. Finally, the event supply company Big Events has signed on to produce large scale inflatables and parade balloons for the North American and Latin American markets.
Potential partners interested in licensing opportunities can set up meetings with the company through Licensing Expo’s Meetings Platform.
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