Acclaimed Malaysian animation house Lil Critter Workshop (LCW) is expanding its global footprint, setting up an animation studio in the UK. Based in Bristol, LCW’s new studio will focus on developing the company’s own IP, working with creative talent, studios and co-production partners in the UK and across Europe.
Surge Licensing, an entertainment IP development company that grows brands into multi-platformed entertainment and product licensing programs, has signed an agreement with live-tour company Cut & Mustard to bring YouTube sensation Spy Ninjas to over 30 cities across the U.S. The announcement was made by Elan Freedman, EVP Surge Licensing, Spy Ninja’s global licensing agent.
Buddy Valastro “The Cake Boss” and Kinetic Sand have recently buddied up, delivering something both sweet and sand-isfying. Feeling inspired to do something fun, and test his limits with ‘one of his most ambitious cakes yet’, Buddy created 5-tiers of his iconic six-layer Rainbow Cake entirely out of the one and only Kinetic Sand. See Buddy’s process from experimentation to creation on Instagram.
Cyber Group Studios, a leading producer and distributor of animated programs for kids and families, has teamed up with Nippon Animation to produce a feature-length animated fantasy adventure film called Nanami and the Quest for Atlantis, based on the Japanese classic TV series, Tico and Friends. The new feature-length film marks the beginning of what is expected to be a long-term collaboration between the new co-production partners, which will include several of Nippon Animation’s classic series as well as new properties and initiatives.
WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, has partnered with Jungle Beat Animation Limited to manage worldwide distribution rights for all content in the popular animated kids’ property, Jungle Beat. The exclusive partnership will see WildBrain leverage its 360-degree offering to grow the global footprint of the Jungle Beat brand through worldwide distribution, including YouTube channel management and ad sales on its premium kids’ and family AVOD network, as well as linear broadcast in Canada on its Family Channel.
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit media and educational organization, and HiHo Kids announced a collaboration on two new episodes of a fan-favorite HiHo series, Kids Meet.
Herschend Entertainment Studios expands its popular Chuggington franchise with its first, live immersive theme park attraction, Chuggington Adventure Depot at Silver Dollar City, the internationally awarded theme park located in Branson, MO. Guests of all ages can fully take part in the new immersive and interactive adventure. The expansion brings the popular animated series to life like never before for its preschool-age fans with the show’s favorite characters, locations and more. The all-new Chuggington experience is live through the Summer. Created more than 60-years-ago, Silver Dollar City is the founding flagship park created by the Herschend family.
Leading Israeli production house Ananey Studios (Greenhouse Academy, Craft Party, SpellKeepers), a Paramount company, and independent production company Nevision (The Floogals), are jointly developing Goode Stuff, a brand new animated comedy series aimed at kids aged 6-12.
Bent Pixels Asia (BPA), the region’s leading revenue accelerator for premium YouTube esports and gaming creators, announced that it has entered a partnership with Tier One Entertainment, the Philippines’ leading gaming and esports entertainment talent and entertainment company, to help the latter’s creators accelerate their revenue from YouTube reserved media offerings, as well as grow their capabilities as creators in producing quality content to engage their audiences.