TLL Staff
OAK9 Entertainment has announced its expansion into licensing, appointing seasoned executives Ann Buckingham and Maria Ancieta-Risher to lead the program.
The move follows the company’s recent global distribution deal for its flagship animated franchise, Stomp! Stomp! Rhinos!
Buckingham and Ancieta-Risher bring extensive experience in licensing and brand partnerships, having held leadership roles at major entertainment companies including The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, DreamWorks Animation, and 20th Century Fox. They will oversee licensing strategies for Stomp! Stomp! Rhinos! across various consumer product categories, including publishing, toys and games, food and beverage, stationery, apparel, and location-based entertainment.
Buckingham previously served as Global SVP of Consumer Products at Disney, where she led international initiatives and product launches. She also held senior roles at 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks Animation, managing creative and product development efforts.
Ancieta-Risher’s career includes leadership positions at NBCUniversal and Disney, where she developed licensing programs for major franchises and relaunched Disney Baby as a global brand.
The duo also co-founded The Licensing Insiders, a consulting collective that advises brands across entertainment, gaming, fashion, publishing, and corporate sectors.
“Ann and Maria’s expertise in the licensing space is truly unrivaled,” said Mindaugas Jokubaitis, producer at OAK9 Entertainment. “Their strategic foresight and proven track record in brand partnerships will be invaluable as we continue to grow Stomp! Stomp! Rhinos! into a leading children’s franchise.”
Stomp! Stomp! Rhinos! is a preschool animated series designed to engage Generation Alpha audiences with entertaining stories that incorporate emotional wellness lessons. The show follows rhino siblings Noah, Ela, and Ron as they navigate emotional challenges and learn self-regulation skills.
Buckingham and Ancieta-Risher emphasized the importance of the show’s approach, stating, “By combining entertainment and emotional wellness, OAK9 Entertainment is taking a unique approach to children’s media. With excitement building around the global launch of Stomp! Stomp! Rhinos!, we look forward to developing a strong consumer licensing program for this special property.”
Anyone interested in licensing opportunities with Stomp! Stomp! Rhinos! can learn more at https://stompstomprhinos.com.