The animated series will serve as Rovio’s first IP outside of “Angry Birds.”

Toonbox Animation and Rovio Entertainment have joined forces to create a consumer products licensing program for the animated series “Kit^n^Kate,” which airs on Rovio’s ToonsTV.

In addition to showing the series on its VOD platform, Rovio has acted as the property’s master publishing licensee through its publishing arm Kaiken Publishing. The company will also now act as “Kit^n^Kate’s” master licensee globally (excluding Russia and China) across a range of categories, including apparel and toys, and will develop a program that builds and enhances the brand’s storyworld.

“Kit^n^Kate” is the first IP outside of the “Angry Birds” franchise in Rovio’s consumer products portfolio.

“Through Kaiken Publishing and ToonsTV, we have already gained valuable experience working with the ‘Kit^n^Kate’ brand, and it was the logical next step to expand our cooperation with Toonbox to consumer products licensing,” says Alex Lambeek, chief commercial officer, Rovio. “The ‘Kit^n^Kate’ series has steadily built up a loyal fan base around the world, and we see healthy demand for high-quality, meaningful products that can contribute to ‘Kit^n^Kate’s’ playful, teaching mission.”

“‘Kit^n^Kate’ has a timeless quality and–as we have seen with the show’s performance on ToonsTV and other digital and terrestrial broadcasts–proven appeal in many different countries,” says Pavel Muntyan, chief executive officer, Toonbox Animation. “We felt that Rovio, with its franchising expertise, long-term outlook and global network, was a natural partner to work with as we commit to raising the profile of the franchise and building a new fixture of children’s television.”