Here’s some eye-catching news from the international kids TV distribution space: Cake is set to buy rival Jetpack.
No financial details was forthcoming today, but Cake released a statement noting “it is in advanced negotiations” to acquire its rival’s brand. More news will come “within the coming weeks,” the company added, and it’s not yet clear if the deal is only for Jetpack’s assets or the entire company.
Both Cake and Jetpack are based in London and operate in the same space, primarily selling animated content globally. Cake is known for shows such as Total Drama Island, Angelo Rules and Angry Birds: Summer Madness, while Jetpack sells the likes of Clangers.
“Since Jetpack launched, they have always been a competitor who we have admired,” said Cake CEO Ed Galton. “Combined operations will deliver an even better kids and family distribution solution for this market.”
Jetpack was...
No financial details was forthcoming today, but Cake released a statement noting “it is in advanced negotiations” to acquire its rival’s brand. More news will come “within the coming weeks,” the company added, and it’s not yet clear if the deal is only for Jetpack’s assets or the entire company.
Both Cake and Jetpack are based in London and operate in the same space, primarily selling animated content globally. Cake is known for shows such as Total Drama Island, Angelo Rules and Angry Birds: Summer Madness, while Jetpack sells the likes of Clangers.
“Since Jetpack launched, they have always been a competitor who we have admired,” said Cake CEO Ed Galton. “Combined operations will deliver an even better kids and family distribution solution for this market.”
Jetpack was...
- 8/6/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Paramount Names Australia/New Zealand Chief
Paramount Global has named Beverley McGarvey President of Network 10, Head of Streaming and Regional Lead for Australia and New Zealand, effective immediately. This comes after the exit of the UK-based Maria Kyriacou, Paramount’s former President of Broadcast and Studios, who counted Australia among her responsibilities. It also follows a local restructure that saw the departure of Executive VP, Chief Operating and Commercial Officer and Regional Lead Jarrod Villani. McGarvey, previously EVP, Chief Content Officer and Head of Paramount+ Anz, will now report to Pam Kaufman, President & CEO of International Markets, Global Consumer Products and Experiences. Kaufman said Australia was one of Paramount’s “most important, priority markets,” with McGarvey’s promotion reflecting that fact. McGarvey will have commercial and creative leadership of Paramount’s business in Australia, with oversight of Network 10 and its portfolio of brands, including streamer 10 Play. She will also retain her current duties,...
Paramount Global has named Beverley McGarvey President of Network 10, Head of Streaming and Regional Lead for Australia and New Zealand, effective immediately. This comes after the exit of the UK-based Maria Kyriacou, Paramount’s former President of Broadcast and Studios, who counted Australia among her responsibilities. It also follows a local restructure that saw the departure of Executive VP, Chief Operating and Commercial Officer and Regional Lead Jarrod Villani. McGarvey, previously EVP, Chief Content Officer and Head of Paramount+ Anz, will now report to Pam Kaufman, President & CEO of International Markets, Global Consumer Products and Experiences. Kaufman said Australia was one of Paramount’s “most important, priority markets,” with McGarvey’s promotion reflecting that fact. McGarvey will have commercial and creative leadership of Paramount’s business in Australia, with oversight of Network 10 and its portfolio of brands, including streamer 10 Play. She will also retain her current duties,...
- 3/18/2024
- by Jesse Whittock, Max Goldbart and Sara Merican
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Bridesmaids co-writer Annie Mumolo has signed on to co-create animated kids series Lulu and the Help You Crew.
She is working up the 3D CGI-animated show with comedian Ariane Price, a senior member of The Groundlings improv comedy sketch theater. Both had small roles in Bridesmaids, the 2011 comedy feature Mumolo co-wrote with Kristen Wiig.
They’re working closely with UK-based kids company Cake, which is leading development and production, and North American full-service studio Reel FX Animation. Cake will sell the show internationally.
The series, running to 52 11-minute eps, will target 3-5 year-olds. According to producers, it follows Lulu, an “extraordinary eight-year-old girl who lives in the multicultural melting pot of Vista Feliz with her Argentinian grandmother Abuelita and an eccentric, hilarious and perfectly imperfect crew of rescued pets: a cat, chameleon, turtle and puppy, all of whom she gave a second chance, a home and a different kind of family.
She is working up the 3D CGI-animated show with comedian Ariane Price, a senior member of The Groundlings improv comedy sketch theater. Both had small roles in Bridesmaids, the 2011 comedy feature Mumolo co-wrote with Kristen Wiig.
They’re working closely with UK-based kids company Cake, which is leading development and production, and North American full-service studio Reel FX Animation. Cake will sell the show internationally.
The series, running to 52 11-minute eps, will target 3-5 year-olds. According to producers, it follows Lulu, an “extraordinary eight-year-old girl who lives in the multicultural melting pot of Vista Feliz with her Argentinian grandmother Abuelita and an eccentric, hilarious and perfectly imperfect crew of rescued pets: a cat, chameleon, turtle and puppy, all of whom she gave a second chance, a home and a different kind of family.
- 5/24/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Coming on the heels of their pitch at Cartoon Forum in Toulouse, Norway’s Den Siste Skilling and Germany’s Knudsen Pictures have shared with Variety a first-look at their upcoming project “Cocobanana.”
Created by screenwriter Rolf-Magne Golten Andersen (“Headhunters”) and directed Markus and Tommy Vad Flaaten (“Space Chickens in Space”), the comedic children’s series follows a school-age whizz-kid whose madcap inventions don’t always work out as they’re supposed to. While the produce-aisle handyman only wants to make life easier for his coconut dad, banana mom and baby sis, sometimes chaos — and his own imagination — gets the better of him.
“It’s a totally bananas show about the ability to make mistakes and yet recover from them,”Golten Andersen tells Variety. “Cocobanana’s motto is to fail fast and try again, and our goal is to make a show that will resonate with and entertain kids all around the world.
Created by screenwriter Rolf-Magne Golten Andersen (“Headhunters”) and directed Markus and Tommy Vad Flaaten (“Space Chickens in Space”), the comedic children’s series follows a school-age whizz-kid whose madcap inventions don’t always work out as they’re supposed to. While the produce-aisle handyman only wants to make life easier for his coconut dad, banana mom and baby sis, sometimes chaos — and his own imagination — gets the better of him.
“It’s a totally bananas show about the ability to make mistakes and yet recover from them,”Golten Andersen tells Variety. “Cocobanana’s motto is to fail fast and try again, and our goal is to make a show that will resonate with and entertain kids all around the world.
- 9/21/2022
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Idw has set a development deal with Latin American animation studio Ánima, Variety has learned exclusively. The first project being developed under the deal is an adult animated series based on the Idw Publishing comic book series “Brutal Nature.”
Created by Luciano Saracino and Ariel Olivetti and produced by Fernando De Fuentes and José C. García de Letona alongside the Idw team, “Brutal Nature” is about a collection of masks that transforms a young man into innumerable beasts and monsters.
“We’ve always been big fans of what Ánima has been doing in the animation space, so we are thrilled with their passion for partnering on ‘Brutal Nature,’” said Paul Davidson, executive vice president of Idw Entertainment. “Their sensibilities will truly expand the amazing world that Luciano Saracino and Ariel Olivetti created.”
“Working with Idw to develop such a unique project is really exciting,” added García de Letona, who serves as COO at Ánima.
Created by Luciano Saracino and Ariel Olivetti and produced by Fernando De Fuentes and José C. García de Letona alongside the Idw team, “Brutal Nature” is about a collection of masks that transforms a young man into innumerable beasts and monsters.
“We’ve always been big fans of what Ánima has been doing in the animation space, so we are thrilled with their passion for partnering on ‘Brutal Nature,’” said Paul Davidson, executive vice president of Idw Entertainment. “Their sensibilities will truly expand the amazing world that Luciano Saracino and Ariel Olivetti created.”
“Working with Idw to develop such a unique project is really exciting,” added García de Letona, who serves as COO at Ánima.
- 8/5/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.