Zodiak Kids and Family France Archives

Banijay Kids & Family Boosts its Digital Network

6th September 2023 10:59 am Comments Off

Banijay Kids & Family, the global leader in children’s entertainment, behind hit shows such as Totally Spies! and Mr Bean: The Animated Series, today announces a partnership with YouTube revenue experts, The Polar Bears, to supercharge the commercial performance of its digital network.

The partnership will see Banijay Kids & Family leverage The Polar Bears’ expertise, to grow and unlock new revenue streams across its digital channel network, via paid media, advertising sales, sponsorship, branded content and ad funded programming.

Dan Lewsey, Global Head of Digital, Banijay Kids & Family says: “With an extensive catalogue of globally loved brands, we are reaching huge audiences every day through our digital network. Innovating and adapting to an ever-changing market is at the heart of what we do, and by working with The Polar Bears, we can optimise monetisation of these views and deliver an additional, healthy revenue stream.”

Elliot Baum, Founder, The Polar Bears add: “The Banijay Kids & Family’s award-winning catalogue is an enticing proposition for advertisers looking for innovation and safe, premium environments on YouTube. The broadcast presence and global scale; will give brand partners the confidence to create unique digital activations on YouTube. We’re excited to work with these brands and help shape the Banijay Kids & Family digital commercial solutions for the future.”

Banijay Kids & Family, the specialist production and distribution arm of media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, is home to some of the biggest kids brands in the world. Its portfolio of iconic and globally-loved shows generates 75 million global monthly digital views with the likes of Lolirock, Mister Maker and Totally Spies!.

With a diverse catalogue of award-winning content, Banijay Kids & Family partners with leading broadcasters and platforms, producing a broad range of shows for kids and families. Notable credits include Zodiak Kids & Family France’s global franchise Totally Spies! which will be returning to screens with a rebooted series from 2024; the iconic Mr Bean: The Animated Series from Tiger Aspect Kids & Family; and the classic brand Topo Gigio which has been lovingly reimagined by Banijay’s Movimenti Production.

Bayard Seizes Totally Spies!

6th June 2023 5:29 pm Comments Off

Banijay Kids and Family today announces a partnership with Bayard, one of the oldest press and publishing companies in France, to develop a range of magazines and children’s books based on the 2D animated franchise Totally Spies!.

Bayard Jeunesse will publish a quarterly Totally Spies! magazine, whilst Bayard Éditions will develop a range of fiction works, including children’s novels of the series, and original stories inspired by the hit-show’s universe. Available in France, the products will tie-in with the new season of the show which returns to the country with broadcaster Gulli in 2024, following its original six-season run from 2001.

Annick Bizet, New Business and Strategic Alliances Director at Banijay Kids & Family says: “Momentum is really starting to build for Totally Spies! ahead of next year’s launch, as we begin to roll out our extensive licensing programme for the brand. The show is generating huge interest across a broad range of commercial categories, and alongside its large existing global audience, we cannot wait to introduce this iconic franchise to a new generation of fans.”

Nathalie Becht, Bayard Jeunesse Director (press, publishing, digital, animation) says: “We are delighted that Banijay Kids and Family has trusted Bayard Jeunesse to bring the adventures of Totally Spies! to thousands of young readers of books and magazines. This wonderful franchise shares our core values of accessibility and inclusiveness, but also the combination of humour and action that makes our list so successful.”

The new 26 x 22-minute season will be produced by Benoît Di Sabatino and directed by Stephane Berry, who directed five previous seasons of the show. Gary Milne and Ludovic Taron serve as Executive Producers. Head Writers are Jess Kedward and Kirsty Peart.

Warner Bros. Discovery has acquired the upcoming series across EMEA and the US, and French broadcaster Gulli, and Discovery Kids LatAm, have previously been announced as co-producers of the Zodiak Kids & Family France (part of Banijay Kids & Family) show. The upcoming series follows Sam, Clover and Alex, as they move to a new city and take on a fresh crop of villains.

Totally Spies! Leaps into Action for All-New Video Game

27th April 2023 1:39 pm Comments Off

Banijay Kids and Family today announces a deal with game developer and publisher, Microids, for an exciting new title based on Zodiak Kids & Family France’s popular animated series Totally Spies!, slated for release in 2024 on consoles and PC.

The Totally Spies! video game will offer players the opportunity to step into the shoes of the three legendary secret agents, Sam, Clover and Alex. Together they must try and save the world from a new enemy, with a host of thrilling missions, offering innovative game mechanics.

Annick Bizet, New Business and Strategic Alliances Director at Banijay Kids & Family says:“We are seeing great momentum building for the Totally Spies! brand ahead of the much-anticipated return of the series next year. Microids’ expertise and passion for the world of video games, make it the perfect partner to recreate the universe for an authentic and captivating game for our fans.”

Stéphane Longeard, CEO of Microids added: “Microids is committed to faithfully and innovatively adapting well-known IP and it is a real honour for us to work on the Totally Spies! license. Thanks to the skills of our studios and in-house teams, we will do everything we can to offer the community a game that meets its expectations.”

The 2D animated franchise, Totally Spies!, returns to screens in 2024, following its original six-season run between 2001 and 2013. French broadcaster Gulli, and Discovery Kids LatAm, have previously been announced as co-producers of the Zodiak Kids & Family France (part of Banijay Kids & Family) show. The upcoming series follows Sam, Clover and Alex, as they move to a new city and take on a fresh crop of villains.

The name of the game and other details will be revealed soon.

Warner Bros. Discovery Acquires Season Seven of Totally Spies!

25th April 2023 4:05 pm Comments Off

Banijay Kids & Family today confirms Warner Bros. Discovery has acquired the upcoming series of the hit spy-fi animation across EMEA and the US. French broadcaster Gulli, and Discovery Kids LatAm, have previously been announced as co-producers of the Zodiak Kids & Family France (part of Banijay Kids & Family) show.

The 2D animated franchise, Totally Spies!, returns to screens in 2024, following its original six-season run beginning in 2001. Premiering on Cartoon Network US and later launching on Max in EMEA, the upcoming series follows the three legendary secret agents, Sam, Clover and Alex, as they move to a new city and take on a fresh crop of villains.

Benoît Di Sabatino, Producer and Banijay Kids & Family CEO says: “With strong female leads and an aesthetic that has inspired a generation, Totally Spies! is an iconic show with a hugely passionate global fanbase, eager to join the agents on their latest adventures. The new series stays true to all the key elements that make the show so popular, but has been lovingly updated for a new audience, reflecting the modern challenges faced by both high-schoolers and spies alike!”

Aurelie Wack, Acquisitions & Co-productions Manager, Warner Bros. Discovery Kids & Family, EMEA says: “We are thrilled to be bringing the much-awaited iconic spy trio Sam, Clover, and Alex to Max and Cartoon Network in EMEA. We cannot wait to welcome Totally Spies!’ passionate fanbase to our platforms and introduce the girls to a brand new audience. With strong female leads and a diverse offering of modern themes, the France-produced hit Totally Spies! broadens our appeal and demonstrates our commitment to European content.”

The 26 x 22-minute season will be produced by Benoît Di Sabatino and directed by Stephane Berry, who directed five previous seasons of the show. Gary Milne and Ludovic Taron serve as Executive Producers.

Zodiak Kids & Family Distribution handles global distribution for the franchise.

Totally Spies! Springs into Action for Webtoon Series

7th March 2023 2:30 pm Comments Off

Banijay Kids and Family, part of content powerhouse Banijay, today announces a partnership with Belgian publisher Editions Dupuis, part of Média-Participations, to transform the hit spy-fi animation, Totally Spies!, into a unique webtoon for digital platform ONO.

An increasingly popular genre of comics, developed for digital smartphone reading, the vertical strips will bring the characters of Totally Spies! to a new medium. The webtoon will be available as a weekly serialisation in French, and available for foreign rights.

2D-animated franchise Totally Spies!, produced by Zodiak Kids & Family France, is set to return to screens in 2024 with a brand-new series, following its original six-season run between 2001 and 2013. The upcoming series follows the three legendary secret agents, Sam, Clover and Alex, as they move to a new city and take on a fresh crop of villains.

Annick Bizet, New Business & Strategic Alliances Director, Banijay Kids & Family says: “Totally Spies! is a globally-loved show with a strong existing fanbase, and given the excitement for the new series, demand from fans for brand extensions is high. Webtoons offer a new and modern reading format for young audiences, and this project will ensure we continue catering to our audiences and the changing ways in which they consume their entertainment.”

Stéphane Ferrand, Senior Publishing Director, Editions Dupuis adds: “Strong, leading female characters, action and adventure, humour, fashion, gadgets…Totally Spies! is one of those rare transgenerational licences whose ingredients conceal an ever-relevant modernity. The webtoon is now a favoured medium for reading content among young people around the world and the marriage between this and such a strong IP was inevitable.”

Delphine Dumont, Chief Commercial Officer, Banijay Kids & Family says: “We are so pleased to announce this very exciting deal which marks the start of our relaunch strategy of this iconic brand, prior to the new series reveal on M6/GULLI (France) and Discovery Kids LatAm in 2024. Lots more to come for our favourite spies!”

Dupuis is a 100-year-old Belgian publisher behind a number of successful series for children and adults such as Spirou, Lucky Luke, Kid Paddle or Largo Winch, which have become household names amongst European comics readers. The company strives to reinvent itself, driving its expansion into other fields such as animation and digital platforms like ONO.

Tencent Video Pounce on All-New CGI Animation, Shasha & Milo

24th May 2022 10:07 am Comments Off

Banijay Kids and Family today announces Zodiak Kids and Family France, and South Korean studio, Pingo Entertainment, are co-producing a new high-quality CGI action-comedy animation series, Shasha & Milo (26×22’) with broadcast partners Tencent Video (China).

The series features 12-year-old twins Shasha and Milo, as they juggle school and home lives with a secret new role as the Crescent Island Guardians. Imbued with the power to transform between human, cat and a formidable hybrid form, Shasha and Milo are tasked with protecting Crescent Island from the dark forces that lurk beneath it… whilst navigating the daily complexities of preteen life.

Production on Shasha & Milo has begun. Benoît di Sabatino, Gary Milne and Hee Seok Shin serve as Executive Producers, with Seul Gee Yoo as Co-Director and Creative Producer and Hyeong Min Kim as Co-Director.

Benoît Di Sabatino, CEO, Banijay Kids and Family says: “The teams at Zodiak Kids and Family France, and Pingo Entertainment, are creating a visually striking, high-end series that is already generating huge broadcaster interest. With a unique concept, exciting storylines and strong characters with global appeal, we strongly believe Shasha & Milo will quickly establish itself as a standout brand in the kids entertainment space.”

Pingo Entertainment’s CEO Hee Seok Shin says: “As the directing and production is being done in South Korea, Pingo Entertainment is committed to delivering an entertaining show to all of our viewers worldwide.”

Selina She, Director of Kids’ IP Development and Programming Centre at Tencent Video says: “We are delighted to work with the talented partners and introduce the dazzling adventure of Shasha & Milo to our audience. Its unique and irresistible mix of gripping storylines, spirited characters, intriguing plots, and relatable pre-teen life is going to have a strong appeal to our young viewers.”

Zodiak Kids and Family Distribution own international distribution rights to the series.

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