There is a plentiful lineup of new content to celebrate at this year's MIPJunior event in Cannes. From well-established franchises to various new series, kid's animation–influenced heavily by brand extensions&#

April 6, 2018

9 Min Read

There is a plentiful lineup of new content to celebrate at this year's MIPJunior event in Cannes.

From well-established franchises to various new series, kid's animation–influenced heavily by brand extensions–will be featured at this year's MIPJunior and MIPCOM, Oct. 6-11 at the Martinez Hotel and Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France.

Here's a sneak preview of some of the programs:

BRB International and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe will present the pilot of "Invizimals," an animated series based on the video game created by Novarama for the PSP. Screen 21 is currently working on the project, which will have its world premiere at the end of 2013. i1_982.jpgi1_t_182.jpg

The Invizimals franchise for PSP includes three games "Invizimals," "Invizimals: Shadow Zone" and "Invizimals: The Lost Tribes," which has sold more than a million units in Europe to date.

Panini, which publishes the monthly magazine Invizimals in Spain and Portugal, has launched several collections of cards, stickers and activities. Comansi has put out two series of collectible figures, and Safta two different ranges of backpacks and school products.

CreaCon Group has signed a multi-year partnership agreement with Turner Broadcasting System Europe to broadcast its preschool series "City of Friends" across the Nordic region. Turner acquired the "City of Friends" catalog as well as two 30-minute specials, which will begin daily broadcasts in Norway, Finland, Sweden, Iceland and Denmark on Boomerang and Cartoon Network this month.

CreaCon will also develop a third season with its animation production partner, Action Synthese Studios. The agreement with Turner significantly bolsters the property's TV distribution reach across the Nordic region.

The long-term agreement will also boost the licensing push for "City of Friends" across the region. The series is based on the adventures of a real-life state police officer, Carl Christian Hamre, founder and chief executive officer, CreaCon. i2_565.jpgi2_t_195.jpg

DHX Media will launch a new animated comedy, "SheZow!" The series, which is targeted to 6- to 11-year-olds, follows the exploits of 12-year-old Guy Hamdon, an extreme dude with his own macho catchphrase, who finds a ring that belonged to his late aunt that transforms him into a girl superhero.

The series received funding from Film Victoria and is created by Obie Scott Wade. It is produced by Moody Street Kids and Kickstart Productions for Channel 10. It has also been pre-sold to ABC Australia. DHX Media holds worldwide TV, licensing and merchandising rights (excluding Australia) to the property.

FremantleMedia Enterprises announced a new distribution deal with Saban Brands for "Power Rangers Samurai" and "Power Rangers Super Samurai."

FME will manage the U.K. and Eire DVD rights and part of the digital distribution of the franchise specials, as well as Power Rangers Samurai: Clash of the Red Rangers. The first release is due in October.

FME is also presenting other programs from its Kids & Family Entertainment division.

"Wizards Vs Aliens" is an action-adventure drama created by Russell T. Davies and Phil Ford. FME manages worldwide distribution of the series (excluding the U.K.), as well as the licensing and home entertainment rights. i3_395.jpgi3_t_128.jpg

"Wizards Vs Aliens" combines magic with sci-fi and features a 16-year-old boy, Tom Clarke, an ordinary boy from a family of wizards. It is produced by BBC Cymru Wales in association with FME. The series will premiere on CBBC this month.

Also from FME, "Grojband" is an animated comedy series developed by Fresh TV in association with Teletoon Canada. FME manages worldwide (excluding Canada) TV distribution, home entertainment and licensing rights.

Targeted to kids 6- to 11-years-old, "Grojband" follows Corey and his three best friends–Laney and "un"-identical brothers Kin and Kon–as they struggle to take their garage band to international stardom.

The series has been acquired by Cartoon Network in the U.S.

First introduced in the 80s classic series "Fraggle Rock," The Jim Henson Company will debut "Doozers" to a new generation of preschoolers.

Turner Broadcasting EMEA is the series' first international sale. It will air on Cartoonito beginning in fall 2013.

The new animated series follows the adventures of the Doozers who live in Doozer Creek, a high-tech, enchanted forest, and four new kid characters: Spike, Mollybolt, Flex and Daisy Wheel.

The series is a co-production of The Jim Henson Company and DHX Media.

Marathon Media, a Zodiak Kids company, announced the renewal of season six of "Totally Spies!" by TF1 in France. Additional sales have also been made to Nickelodeon (German-speaking Europe, Benelux, Central and Eastern Europe, Nordics, CIS, Southeast Asia and Africa) and Disney (France).

"Totally Spies!" is being developed with a cross-platform approach encompassing an original promotional event at Versailles, a successful RPG and a fan base on Facebook. It has been TF1's top performing kid's show since its launch in 2001 and is also the longest running French animated series.

Millimages and South Korea's Synergy Media will unveil the new property "Me and My Robot." The animated series, a co-production with Synergy Media and Canal J, will be delivered in November, with the remainder scheduled for April 2013. Originally commissioned by France Television, Canal J and EBS, the show has already started its international roll out with pre-sales already in place with ABC Australia, SVT Sweden, NRK Norway, DR Denmark and VRT Belgium.

Millimages handles worldwide television and licensing rights to the property excluding Asia, which is represented by Synergy Media.

"Me & My Robot" explores the life of a group of friends in a high-tech robotic school.

MarVista Entertainment and Saban Brands will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Power Rangers with the debut of the newest version of the franchise, "Power Rangers Megaforce."

MarVista, the exclusive international distributor for "Power Rangers," will offer international buyers 40 new half-hour episodes. The series will premiere in the U.S. next year on Nickelodeon.

Saban continues to actively market the franchise around the world and will support its launch with a robust global consumer products campaign, character appearances, retail promotions and advertising.

Saban is also introducing a new animated preschool series, "Julius Jr." MarVista Entertainment is the international television distributor for the 2D animated series, a co-production with Brain Power Studio.

"Julius Jr.," which is based on the characters of the Paul Frank brand, centers on a monkey with a penchant for invention schemes. Saban will support "Julius Jr." with a global consumer products campaign currently in development.

Moonscoop will launch the fifth installment of Code Lyoko using live action and CGI animation. "Code Lyoko Evolution," a co-production with France Television and Canal J, is set for delivery in the first quarter of 2013. The first four original seasons have sold to more than 150 countries worldwide.

An extensive licensing and merchandising campaign, with products in categories including publishing and home entertainment and a social online game, also supports the series.

Nelvana Enterprises will introduce three new animated productions along with fresh seasons of "Beyblade," "Detentionaire," "Scaredy Squirrel" and "Sidekick."

The new productions are: "Oh No!," a comedy from Philippe Ivanusic-Vallee and Peter Ricq, part of the creative team behind the "League of Super Evil"; two Franklin and Friends specials, "Pole to Pole" and "Under the Sea"; and "Paboo & Mojies."

Planeta Junior will present three animated series, which it has co-produced: "Camille," "Egyxos" and "Magiki." These new productions will spearhead the company's offering, along with titles such as "Maya the Bee 3D," which will premiere this fall in Spain and Italy, and "Vicky the Viking 3D." Planeta Junior will also present a series for preschoolers called "Lua's World," produced by Triacom Audiovisual. The international television, home video, licensing and merchandising rights are held by Planeta Junior.

"Egyxos" is a new series that originated as a flow pack. Planeta Junior, DeAgostini Editore, DeAkids and DeAgostini Publishing are developing it. The show, set in ancient Egypt, will recount the adventures of more than 24 characters with magical powers fighting for control of the land.

"Magiki" is also a brand created by DeAgostini that started as a flow pack. Planeta Junior, DeAgostini Editore, DeAkids, DeAgostini Publishing and Teleimages are developing this animated TV series, targeting girls 4- to 8-years-old. The show is based on the stories of friendship between the various magical creatures living in the Magiki world.

"Camille," which originated as a book, is the story of a little girl and her inseparable teddy bear, Nounurs, as they focus on values such as friendship, loyalty and family.

Italian producer, distributor and licensor Rainbow will unveil season five of its international brand, Winx Club.

With a total of 104 TV episodes now available targeted to 4- to 12-year-olds, "Winx Club" is broadcast in more than 130 countries. The new season will have an ecological focus.

Launching in conjunction with the new series is a brand new range of toys. Winx Club dolls are produced for the worldwide market by Witty Toys, part of the Rainbow Group (excluding North America, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. where Jakks Pacific is the master toy licensee). The toys will be linked to the TV show and digital media.

Execs Highlight MIPJunior

Two of the most influential executives in brand licensing will discuss the success of their respective franchises and how they have grown in popularity and awareness among consumers and retailers worldwide. i4_312.jpg

"The Licensing Marketplace: Case Studies & Success Stories" will take place on Oct. 6 at the Martinez Hotel, from 5 to 6 p.m.

The session, which is being moderated by Tony Lisanti, global editorial director, License! Global/Advanstar Licensing, will address the growth and development of two global franchises–Winx Club and Power Rangers–and feature Iginio Straffi, founder and president, Rainbow, and Elie Dekel, president, Saban Brands. i5_238.jpg

Both executives will examine the market dynamics of the popular girl's property, Winx Club and iconic boy's property, Power Rangers, from entry into the marketplace through global expansion, including all aspects of retail and licensee partnerships.

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