Licensing agent appointed for Australia and New Zealand
Halifax, NS - 26 February 2015 - DHX Brands, the dedicated brand-management and consumer-products arm of DHX Media, has appointed Haven as the agent for all new Teletubbies licensing and merchandising activity in Australia and New Zealand. Haven will represent the preschool property across the territory, starting with the upcoming Australian Toy Fair.
Peter Byrne, EVP, DHX Brands, said: “Teletubbies has a huge heritage in the Australian market and Haven are superbly placed, as one of the leading agents worldwide, to capitalize on this phenomenon. Their appointment is a strategic step ahead of the international broadcast roll-out as we gear up globally on the brand.”
Tom Punch, Managing Director of Haven Licensing, said: “We are extremely excited to be working with the fabulous DHX team on this iconic brand. Teletubbies has amazing awareness in Australia. We are confident that the wonderful high quality new series will grab the attention of little Aussie kids, and holds the potential to be as successful as the original series.”
The announcement comes hot on the heels of a deal with leading manufacturer VTech as licensee for electronic learning products (ELPs) for Teletubbies, with product set to roll out from Autumn/Winter 2016 in the UK, followed by France, Germany, Benelux, Iberia and Australia and New Zealand. DHX Brands has also appointed Character Options as global master toy licensee and Egmont for global master publishing.
More than 20 UK licensees have been signed to date, including Worlds Apart (Furniture & Accessories), Aykroyds (Nightwear and Underwear), Character World (Bedding), Amscan (Partyware), Bon Bon Buddies (Confectionary), Posh Paws (Bags) GB Eye (Posters) and Zak UK (melamine tableware).
Multi award-winning Teletubbies is one of the most successful children’s brands and one of the Best Children’s TV Programmes of the last 50 years, as voted by international kids’ television experts at the 2014 Prix Jeunesse International. The original episodes aired in more than 120 territories and its enduring resonance is underscored by the brand’s postings on YouTube, which averages more than 50 million views per month.
The new 60-episode series of Teletubbies has been commissioned by the UK’s CBeebies and is being produced for DHX Media by award-winning UK production company, Darrall Macqueen Ltd. It will feature the same much-loved characters but will bring a refreshed, contemporary look to one of the world’s most well-known pre-school properties, ensuring that it is relevant for a new generation.
For more information, please contact:
Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR for DHX Brands
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8985 4708 or aimee@ddablueprint.com
About DHX Brands
DHX Brands is the dedicated brand-management and consumer-products arm of DHX Media Ltd. (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B) (www.dhxmedia.com), a leading creator, producer, marketer and broadcaster of family entertainment. DHX Brands specializes in creating, building and maintaining high-profile global entertainment brands within the children’s and young-adult markets. With expertise in brand development, licensing, marketing and creative, we develop brands which captivate and inspire through engaging content, first-class distribution, quality consumer products, immersive live experiences, and digital media. DHX Brands’ world-class portfolio includes Teletubbies, Twirlywoos, In the Night Garden, Yo Gabba Gabba!,Caillou, Slugterra, Ella the Elephant, Johnny Test, Inspector Gadget, and Degrassi. DHX Brands has offices in London, Toronto and Los Angeles.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to DHX including including the ability to secure broadcast agreements for the series and the ability of the licensees to successfully market and sell branded products. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on information currently available to the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, among other things, include risk factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time including matters discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended June 30, 2014, and annual Management Discussion and Analysis. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.