"Robocar Poli" Wins License! Global Licensing Challenge

Korea-based ROI Visual's "Robocar Poli" was named the winner of the License! Global Licensing Challenge, presented at MipJunior. The annual challenge is a pitching session designed to showcase the kids' TV property with the greatest licensing potential.

The HD-animated series (52x11) features a "super transforming" robocar rescue team, which includes a police car, fire truck, ambulance and helicopter. Master toy partner is Silverlit. Selection criteria was based on uniqueness and overall appeal of the property (innovation, character development); the look, story and themes of the show; distribution and/or broadcast plans; clear potential for licensing (franchise potential); suitability/match of property with identified audience target; and merchandising potential.

This year's finalists also included "Earth to Luna" from TV PinGuim (Brazil); "Melody Street" from Melody Street LLC (U.S.); "Canimals" from Aardman Animation (U.K.), Vooz Club (Korea) and BRB International - Screen 21 (Spain); "Dibidogs" from FutureCode (Finland); and "1001 Nights" from Big Bad Boo (Canada).

The Licensing Challenge was moderated by Tony Lisanti, global editorial director of License! Global. The jurors for the competition included Patricia de Wilde, director of licensing, Marathon Media; Holly Stein, vice president of licensing acquisitions, Mattel; Jennifer Lawlor, vice president of emerging markets and general manager of global consumer products, Nickelodeon Consumer Products; Maura Regan, senior vice president and general manager of global consumer products, Sesame Workshop; Mary Carmen Rotter, director of consumer products, Televisa International; and Sandra Sheppard, director and executive producer of children's educational programming, PBS Thirteen/WNET New York.

Pictured above is June Lee, senior manager of international marketing for ROI Visual.