Portfolio Entertainment’s Freaktown Takes Off Internationally

Portfolio Entertainment_Freaktown Image

Portfolio Entertainment’s Freaktown Takes Off Internationally with Cartoon Network in Asia Pacific, Turner EMEA, Disney Southeast Asia and ABC Australia Deals

(October 4, 2015 – Toronto, Canada) – Portfolio Entertainment has signed its first set of international sales deals for the highly-anticipated series Freaktown (52 x 11’) with leading kids’ networks – Cartoon Network in Asia Pacific, Turner’s Kids Networks in EMEA, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia and ABC Australia.

Freaktown is the first series to be wholly created and produced inside Portfolio’s new animation studio. The series was commissioned by TELETOON Canada and will debut in 2016.

The series will premiere on Cartoon Network in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand. Turner France has taken the series for Boing in France and in its French-speaking territories in Europe and Africa. It has also been sold to The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia and ABC Australia.

“While still in production, Freaktown has grabbed the attention of buyers globally and we are thrilled to land international deals with world-renowned broadcasters right out of the gate,” said Joy Rosen, CEO and Co-Founder of Portfolio Entertainment. “This series is crammed with laugh-out-loud moments and unpredictable twists that will perfectly complement the highly-entertainingprogramming available on these major kids’ networks.”

Freaktown, a kids 6-11 animated series, follows the adventures of skeleton Ben Bones and his freaky friends as they protect their town from takeover by Princess Boo Boo the Bouncy of Sweetlandia.

Full Synopsis 
Freaktown (52×11’ HD) 
Freaktown is the last place where it’s cool to be a ghoul.  Mutants and misfits of all sorts are welcome to hang out and just be who they are – freaks.  Best friends Ben Bones – a skeleton with soul – and Lenny – amutant mantis – are living “la vida freaky” as they guard against a massive makeover of the cute and cuddly kind, courtesy of Princess Boo Boo, the spoiled brat ruler of Sweetlandia. Try as she might, Boo Boo and her right-hand bear, Lord Cuddles the Fluffy, simply can’t keep the lid on all Freaktown’sfun.  You see – no one is going to sugar frost Freaktown on Ben Bones’watch! The series is a concept by Peter Ricq and Philippe Ivanusic who are also the creators of The League of Super Evil.

 

Visit Portfolio Entertainment at MIPCOM booth P-1.A0.

STUDIO 100 MEDIA SIGNS DEAL WITH SPROUT FOR MAYA THE BEE MOVIE

Studio 100 Media - Maya The Bee2

STUDIO 100 MEDIA SIGNS DEAL WITH NBCUNIVERSAL’S SPROUT FOR CGI SERIES AND 3D MOVIE MAYA THE BEE

Munich, September 25, 2015 – Studio 100 Media announced today that Sprout, NBCUniversal’s preschool TV network, has acquired the rights for both the new CGI series and 3D feature of worldwide popular brand MAYA THE BEE.

Maya the Bee (78 x 12 min) tells the story of Maya, a young bee who left her hive to discover the beauty and mysteries of nature. As she explores the meadow where she lives, she meets other creatures, goes on adventures, and shares her joy with her friends. The series will premiere on Sprout on Saturday, September 26th, with brand new episodes airing Saturdays at 9:00am ET. Maya the Bee will also air SundayFriday at 9:00am ET. The movie will air on September 26th at 5:00pm and 9:00pm ET.

“We are delighted about this collaboration with Sprout and thankful for their trust in our brand,” said Patrick Elmendorff, CEO of Studio 100 Media. “We are happy that now it is possible for Maya the Bee to reach Sprout’s audience.”

“Maya The Bee takes preschoolers on exciting adventures filled with humor and action,” said Andrew Beecham, Senior Vice President of Programming at Sprout. “We’re excited to introduce US audiences to this colorful, fresh, and joyful world.”

Studio 100 Media’s CGI series Maya the Bee is a French-German co-production of Studio 100 Animation with TF1 and ZDF. Studio 100 Film presents the Maya the Bee – Movie as an German-Australian co-production of Studio 100 Media and Buzz Studios in association with Flying Bark Productions.

Studio 100 Media GmbH

Studio 100 Media is a subsidiary of the Belgian Studio 100 NV. The Munich-based company is an international production and distribution company for quality and non-violent children’s entertainment. It has a private, diversified library and develops and acquires new formats. It is also responsible for the global sales of its own rights portfolio as well as for third-party distribution of programmes and exploits its motion picture portfolio in the digital arena.

The Studio 100 Group uses the new technical possibilities on offer to produce new productions of TV series, which have also been adapted to suit the viewing habits of children today. Since 2012, Studio 100 Media has been a producer of animated children’s films and so continues to foster their brands beyond their mere presence on TV. With the founding of Studio 100 Film, a subsidiary of Studio 100 Media, the company has expanded its business areas to include to the worldwide distribution of feature films.

Recently, the company has begun to present selected brands in the form of stage shows. The well-known brands under the umbrella of Studio 100 Media include “Maya the Bee”, “Heidi”, “Vic the Viking” and many Astrid Lindgren series, including “Pippi Longstocking”.

About Studio 100 Film

Studio 100 Film is a worldwide sales company of motion pictures within the family entertainment sector.  Based in Munich, Germany, the company is a hundred percent subsidiary of the international distribution and production company Studio 100 Media GmbH.

It is the objective of Studio 100 Film to offer top-class, non-violent and above all family entertainment around the globe.  In so doing, the company works on the basis of long-term partnerships, as well as project-based co-operations.

About Sprout®

Sprout is the first 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for children ages 2-6 and their parents and caregivers. Available in over 58 million homes, Sprout features original programming, including Ruff Ruff, Tweet and Dave and Astroblast!, a library of series, including Caillou and Sesame Street, and U.S. exclusives including Lazytown and Tree Fu Tom. Sprout’s Sunny Side Up Show is the only daily morning show for preschoolers and broadcasts live from NBCU Studios in Rockefeller Plaza. Sprout’s VOD offering is the #1 on demand service for younger children with over 1.8 billion views. Sprout was fully acquired by NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment in November 2013.  Please visit sproutonline.com for additional information.

 

9 Story Secures Multiple Sales for Emmy® Award-Winning Preschool Hit PEG + CAT

PEG + CAT1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9 Story Secures Multiple Sales for Emmy® Award-Winning

Preschool Hit PEG + CAT

Toronto, Canada – September 24, 2015 – 9 Story Media Group is pleased to announce that it has secured multiple sales of the award-winning animated preschool series, Peg + Cat (80 x 12’). Leading Canadian preschool channel Treehouse acquired the second season to the series, while Super RTL (Germany) along with Canal+ Family and Piwi+ (France and French-speaking territories) picked up an additional 40 episodes of season one. A deal was also secured with Canadian-based GRICS, which licensed the first season for French speaking Canada. The series originally debuted onPBS Kids in the fall of 2013 and has won 4 Emmy® awards, including Outstanding Pre-School Children’s Animation Program.

 

The series has also been licensed to Télé-Québec, TFO (Canada), Tiny Pop (UK), ABC TV Australia, TVNZ (New Zealand), TG4 (Ireland), Super RTL (Germany and German-speaking Europe),SVT (Sweden), YLE (Finland), RTP (Portugal), MiniMini (Poland), Telewizja Polska (Poland), Discovery Kids (Latin America), Beijing Sunshine Culture and Communication (China), MediaCorp(Singapore), PTS (Taiwan), Disney (Korea), Television Media Korea (South Korea), True Visions (Thailand), TV3 (Thailand), HOP! (Israel), E-Junior (UAE), MBC Kids (Middle East), and Zee Learn (Indian Subcontinent). Netflix holds SVOD rights for multiple territories while ABC Commercial (Australia), Nelvana (Canada), Sony Music (Germany) and PBS Home Entertainment (U.S.) hold home entertainment rights to the series.

The series follows the adorable spirited, Peg, and her sidekick, Cat, as they encounter unexpected problems that require fun and creative solutions. In order to solve the problems, Peg and Cat must add, subtract and apply basic arithmetic. Their adventures take them to historical far-away lands, art centers in bustling metropolises and the colorful cosmos, all the while demonstrating that it’s never too early to start learning the magic of numbers.

Peg + Cat is co-created and executive produced by Jennifer Oxley (Little Bill, The Wonder Pets!) and Billy Aronson (Rent, Postcards from Buster) and co-produced by The Fred Rogers Company and 9 Story Media Group for PBS KIDS. Kevin Morrison of The Fred Rogers Company and Vince Commisso of 9 Story also serve as executive producers. 9 Story, which also handles international distribution, has secured distribution in 180 countries. HiHat Media is the licensing agent within the U.S. while 9 Story manages licensing for the brand internationally.

9 Story Media Group is a leading content creator, marketer and distributor of kids & family focused intellectual property. Recognized around the world for best-in-class brands such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Wild Kratts, Numb Chucks, Arthur and Peg + Cat, 9 Story represents over 1,800 half hours of animated and live action programming, seen on some of the most respected international channels and platforms.  With one of North America’s largest animation studios, 9 Story employs over 250 creative and production staff in its Toronto facility and has produced over 900 half hours of award-winning children’s content. 9 Story recently acquired the award winning animation studio Brown Bag Films, which employs over 170 staff members across Dublin, Manchester and Los Angeles.  Brown Bag is recognized for producing leading animated children’s series such as Octonauts, Doc McStuffins, Bing Bunny and Henry Hugglemonster.  9 Story is owned by senior management, ZMC, (Zelnick Media Capital) and media entrepreneur Neil Court.  www.9story.com

About The Fred Rogers Company

The company was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it not only created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program, but also extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional and behavioral health and supporting parents, caregivers, teachers and other professionals in their work with children. The Fred Rogers Company continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media, and engaging new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated, award-winning children’s series include Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat and Odd Squad. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org.

9 Story Media Group Unveils a Strong Slate of New Series and New Episodes Launching at MIPCOM 2015

NATURE CAT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 9 Story Media Group Unveils a Strong Slate of New Series

and New Episodes Launching at MIPCOM 2015

Toronto, Canada – September 9, 2015 – 9 Story Media Group is pleased to announce a robust slate of kids’ and family programming launching at MIPJR and MIPCOM 2015.  Featuring exciting new series in development like Schnargand Monsters Everywhere, brand new series like Nature Cat and Look Kool, new episodes of returning favourites like Wild Kratts and Guess How Much I Love You, 9 Story is committed to providing the best quality kids & family content across multiple formats and styles. 

NEW SERIES: 

Nature Cat (80 x 11’):  New Series!

Genre:   Animation

Audience:  4-8

Nature Cat can’t wait to get outside for a day of backyard nature excursions and bravery, but there’s one problem: he’s a house cat with no instincts for nature! Fortunately, Nature Cat’s animal friends are at his side to share in his deep love for Mother Nature, passion for exploring the great outdoors, and swashbuckling wanderlust of old-fashioned backyard adventure. 

Look Kool (32 x 11’): New Series!

Genre:  Live Action

Audience:  6-9

Look Kool uses songs, skits, and wacky challenges to help our host, Hamza, and his mischievous robot cat find the answers to mathematical mysteries. In every episode, Hamza is helped by real kids who hunt for shapes, do hands-on experiments, and solve brain-bending puzzles. Who knew math could be so much fun?

 

IN DEVELOPMENT:

 

Schnarg (11’):  New Series!

Genre:  Animation

Audience:  6-11

When Stanley and Pogo, two bumbling janitors at the Federation of Dirt and Magma, accidentally drill to the center of the Earth, they discover a world filled with mischievous shape-shifting creatures called Schnargs. Join these wannabe explorers as they navigate their strange new surroundings and befriend their Schnargy hosts.

Monsters Everywhere (11’):  New Series!

Genre:   Animation

Audience:  6-11

Kevin and Dave are determined to keep boredom at bay by giving their sleepy small town a much needed wakeup call! Along with their oddball posse, these best buds are smashing down the door to a world where imagination runs rampant, rules don’t apply, and even the best-laid plans backfire! Based on characters from the popular plush brand, Monster Factory.

 

NEW EPISODES, RETURNING SERIES:

 

Camp Lakebottom (104 x 11’): New Episodes from Season 2!

Genre:  Animation

Audience:  6-11

12-year-old prankster McGee was headed for an awesome summer at Camp Sunny Smiles when his bus took a wrong turn and landed him at old, run-down and ridiculously spooky CAMP LAKEBOTTOM! McGee soon discovers that Lakebottom is not just your average camp; it’s the BEST CAMP EVER!

 

Guess How Much I Love You – The Adventures of Little Nutbrown Hare (52 x 11’): New Episodes from Season 2!

Genre:  Animated

Audience:  Preschool

The animated preschool series Guess How Much I Love You – The Adventures of Little Nutbrown Hare is the adaptation of the much loved bestselling picture book Guess How Much I Love You which has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. The series relates the adventures of the Nutbrown Hares and their friends with the same endearing simplicity and love that made the book a timeless classic.

 

Nerds and Monsters (80 x 11’): New Episodes from Season 2!

Genre:  Animation

Audience:  6-11

Nerds and Monsters tosses 3 nerdy kids and a thick-headed football star on a fantastic uncharted island. The tween castaways must use nothing but their smarts to survive the relentless attacks by the island’s inhabitants – a tribe of hideous but hilarious monsters. And lucky for the Nerds, these dim-witted monsters don’t have any smarts!

 

Numb Chucks (104 x 11’): New Episodes from Season 2!

Genre:  Animation

Audience:  6-11

Two half-witted woodchuck vigilantes, Dilweed and Fungus, use their non-existent kung-fu skills to protect the lives of all the citizens in Ding-A-Ling Springs, whether they need it or not! Get ready Ding-A-Ling Springs, you’re about to be Numb Chucked!

 

Wild Kratts (118 x 22’): New Episodes from Season 4!

Genre:  Animation

Audience:  4-9

The Kratt brothers leap into animated action in Wild Kratts, a half-hour adventure comedy from the creators of the hit shows Kratts Creatures and Zoboomafoo. In each episode, Chris and Martin Kratt travel to a different corner of the world to meet amazing new animals.

9 Story Media Group is a leading content creator, marketer and distributor of kids & family focused intellectual property. Recognized around the world for best-in-class brands such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Wild Kratts, Numb Chucks, Arthur and Peg + Cat, 9 Story represents over 1,800 half hours of animated and live action programming, seen on some of the most respected international channels and platforms.  With one of North America’s largest animation studios, 9 Story employs over 250 creative and production staff in its Toronto facility and has produced over 900 half hours of award-winning children’s content. 9 Story recently acquired the award winning animation studio Brown Bag Films, which employs over 170 staff members across Dublin, Manchester and Los Angeles.  Brown Bag is recognized for producing leading animated children’s series such as Octonauts, Doc McStuffins, Bing Bunny and Henry Hugglemonster.  9 Story is owned by senior management, ZMC (Zelnick Media Capital) and media entrepreneur Neil Court.  www.9story.com

For further information: 

Jennifer Ansley, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, 9 Story Media Group

+1 416 530-9900 ext 230, jennifera@9story.com

Promote Yourself: Pirate Express coming to GO! from Saturday July 4 at 7.30am


PEX

The hilarious ‘contemporary meets classic’ original cartoon series with lashings of adventure “Pirate Express” from Sydney-based production hot-house Sticky Pictures and Canada’s Atomic Cartoons will have its Australian premiere on Saturday July 4 at 7.30am on Australia’s GO! channel.  (High-res image attached)

The 26 x 30 minute series for 7-11 year olds recently won Best Musical Score and was nominated for Best Animated Series at this year’s Leo Awards which celebrates excellence in British Columbia Film and Television.

“We are incredibly thrilled to announce “Pirate Express” will be launching on GO! in Australia this Saturday.  It’s a big, bold comedy series full of adventure, laughs and a regurgitating penguin named “Spewey”.  We can’t wait to share the non-stop antics of our motley Pirate crew with the GO! audience,” said Executive Producer and CEO of Sticky Pictures, Donna Andrews.

Follow the adventures of Captain Newt, a 12 year old boy from Atlantis, and his dim witted crew on the seven seas, onboard the ship Pirate Express!  Newt’s mission?  To watch over a motley menagerie of misfit mariner miscreants and keep the former captain LaPoutine, and his salty shipmates, away from mischief and out of trouble.

It’s a high stakes game for Newt and his buccaneers, because should they fail, the Pirates will be sent back to their ship in a bottle for all eternity. No pressure.

Join Newt, LaPoutine, Armando, Burt, Booli, and Spewey the penguin, as they travel the seven seas and beyond, spreading cartoon comedy…and CHAOS of god-like proportions!

Catch Pirate Express each week from Saturday July 4 at 7.30am on GO!

                                                                                                                                                                                               

For further media information: Adele Feletto Publicity M: 61 413 489 292

E: adele@adelefelettopublicity.com.au

Sticky Pictures logoAbout Sticky Pictures

Sticky Pictures is an independent, creative-driven Australian production company dedicated to innovative, high quality animation and live action properties for the world market.  Sticky Pictures has achieved local and international success with hit television series including Me & My Monsters (commissioned by BBC and Ten Network), Bindi’s Bootcamp (ABC), Pearlie (YTV and Ten Network), Dennis the Menace and Gnasher (BBC and Nine Network), The Dukes of Bröxstônia (ABC and Cartoon Network), Sticky is currently in production on Winston Steinburger and Sir Dudley Ding Dong (ABC and Teletoon).

Sticky has enjoyed creative collaborations with major production companies including Tiger Aspect Productions, the Jim Henson Company, FremantleMedia, Nelvana and Atomic Cartoons. Sticky Pictures television productions have sold to more than 100 countries.  Sticky Pictures is a multi award winning, BAFTA nominated studio and was named Children’s TV Producer of the Year by the Screen Producers Association of Australia (2011). In 2013, The Dukes of Bröxstônia was named Childrens TV Production of the Year by SPA. Sticky Pictures’ shows have featured in the Annecy international animation festival and in film festivals across the world.

Atomic_Cartoons_logoAbout Atomic Cartoons

Award-winning Atomic Cartoons is an independent full-service animation studio located in Vancouver’s busy animation district and beautiful downtown Kelowna, BC Canada. Atomic creates, produces and finances animation for television series and specials. Atomic Cartoons’ partners Mauro Casalese, Rob Davies, Trevor Bentley and Rob Simmons head-up a landmark studio that includes some of Canada’s most creative animators, directors, producers and writers. Adept at multiple genres and animation styles, Atomic Cartoons is recognized internationally as one of the leading animation studios in North America.

Since its inception over 15 years ago, Atomic Cartoons has become well known for its dazzling creative talent and battle-proven production pipeline. Notable is Atomic’s unparalleled success with its homegrown shows, including Rocket Monkeys,  and hit Atomic Betty, seen in over 180 territories and garnering Atomic worldwide kudos among them the Annie, Leo, Gemini and BAFTA awards.

New “THE PEANUTS MOVIE” trailer

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20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios are thrilled to share the brand NEW trailer for THE PEANUTS MOVIE! Check out the trailer to see Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved “Peanuts” gang as they make their big-screen debut, like they’ve never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation.
Watch THE PEANUTS MOVIE Trailer HERE: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox/thepeanutsmovie/
Download the “Top Trailer Moments” activity sheet: http://pr.mammothnyc.com/Peanuts/Activity%20Sheet.zip
THE PEANUTS MOVIE hits theaters everywhere on November 6, 2015!
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THE PEANUTS MOVIE
3D Animation
Release: November 6, 2015
Director: Steve Martino
Based upon the comic strip by Charles M. Schulz
Producers: Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, Cornelius Uliano, Paul Feig, Michael J. Travers
SYNOPSIS
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved “Peanuts” gang make their big-screen debut, like they’ve never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation.  Charlie Brown, the world’s most beloved underdog, embarks upon an epic and heroic quest, while his best pal, the lovable beagle Snoopy, takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis, the Red Baron.  From the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of the ICE AGE films, THE PEANUTS MOVIE will prove that every underdog has his day.
THE PEANUTS MOVIE Assets
THE PEANUTS MOVIE Official Socials
Official Hashtag: #PeanutsMovie