Coolabi signs French and Korean agents for Poppy Cat
Leading children’s and family entertainment producer and rights management company Coolabi has appointed two new agents for its hit property, Poppy Cat, extending the brand further into key territories.
Planeta Junior has been granted the agency rights to Poppy Cat in France, where it begins airing on France 5 in June, and Asiana Licensing has been awarded the rights in Korea, where the series airs on EBS.
Planeta Junior is the licensing agent owned by Grupo Planeta and DeAgostini and, as well as exploiting content rights, also focuses on producing animated series. Asiana Licensing was the first company in Korea to start a dedicated licensing and merchandising business and is now one of the country’s most successful agents.
Natasha Dyson, Head of Licensing at Coolabi, says: “Planeta Junior and Asiana Licensing have great track records in creating innovative licensing programs and we have every confidence that they will secure some fantastic partners for Poppy Cat. The appointment of these agents highlights the growing global appeal of the brand.”
Helene Lancelin, Licensing Manager, Planeta Junior France, adds: “Further to Poppy Cat’s success in the UK, we are pleased to be representing Poppy Catmerchandising rights in France, and we are confident of the big potential of the property in our territory.”
Yang Soo Kim, Managing Director, Asiana Licensing adds: “We are delighted to be representing Poppy Cat in Korea and are excited to be taking this charming show into licensing.”
These appointments add to Poppy Cat’s impressive international roll-out to date. As well as France 5 and EBS, Poppy Cat is now a top five show on commissioning broadcaster Nick Jr UK and a top-rating show in the US on Sprout. In both the UK and the US, second broadcast platforms have been secured for 2012, with Poppy Cat having launched in May on ITV1 and CITV in the UK, and launching on NBC Kids in the US from July – a platform that will make Poppy Cat available in over 110 million US homes. In the US, Poppy Catis represented in licensing through The Joester Loria Group.
Other key channels and territories for the property include Disney Junior in Spain and Latin America, Nick Jr Australia, RTE Ireland, across Scandinavia, and TVO, SCN and Knowledge Network in Canada.
Poppy Cat brings to life the wonderful world of the preschool children’s character created by Lara Jones in the book series that has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. The series is co-produced by Coolabi’s television production arm Coolabi Productions and the Emmy-shortlisted and BAFTA award-winning King Rollo Films.
For further information contact DDA Blueprint PR:
Janet Balmforth Tel: +44 (0) 20 8868 0511 / + 44 7748 185656
or Email: janet@ddablueprintpr.com
