Halifax, NS - 18 June 2014 - DHX Media a leading independent creator, producer, distributor and licensor of children’s entertainment content, and FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment, a worldwide leader in the family entertainment business, have appointed Jazwares Inc. as the global master toy partner on preschool property Ella the Elephant for the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Latin America, Middle East, Australia, Spain and Norway.
The deal will enable Jazwares to launch worldwide Plush, Dolls Figures and Play Sets, Vehicles, Role Play and Musical Instruments, based on the animated preschool series about an adventurous elephant and her magic hat.
Ella the Elephant made its U.S. television debut on Monday, February 17 on Disney Channel (7:00 a.m. ET/ PT) and Disney Junior (1:00 p.m. ET/ PT). The series is currently airing weekdays on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.
The 52x11’ series is produced by DHX Media, in association with Canada’s TVO Kids and FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment. DHX Media maintains international distribution rights in the television, brand licensing and home entertainment categories in Canada, the U.S., Middle East and India. FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment serves as the distributor for television, brand licensing, home entertainment and other ancillary rights throughout the rest of the world.
“We’re excited to be appointed the Global Master Toy Partner for Ella the Elephant. We think Ella is a great brand in the children’s entertainment space and we’re excited for the opportunity to place Ella in every household that loves her through our Ella the Elephant line,” Laura Zebersky, EVP Global Sales, Jazwares Inc.
DHX Media has also sold the series to TVO in Canada, Tele-Quebec, Yumurcak TV in Turkey and to Warner Home Video in the U.S. FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment has sold the series to Disney Junior Channel Latin America, Tiny Pop in the UK, Tiji in France, MiniMini+ in Poland, MTV Juniori in Finland, TV2 in Norway, ABC in Australia, Clan in Spain, Minimax in Eastern Europe and Okto in Singapore.
Ella the Elephant is a charming and whimsical animated preschool series based on the award-winning Ella the Elegant Elephant book series written by Carmela D'Amico and illustrated by Steven D'Amico
The series follows the adventures of Ella and her friends on Elephant Islands. Ella is a spirited little elephant with a big heart, bigger imagination and a magic hat that can transform into almost anything. Everyday there’s a fantastic new adventure as Ella and her friends, Frankie, Belinda and Tiki, get themselves into some tricky situations. With a little determination, teamwork, a few missteps, and a touch of magic, Ella and her friends join forces to make everything work out in the end.
For more information, please contact:
Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR for DHX Media +44 (0) 20 8985 4708 or aimee@ddablueprint.com
Kristina Kirk at FremantleMedia 818 748 2521 or Kristina.kirk@fremantlemedia.com or,
Harold Chizick, Jazwares 416.551.0822 X. 333 or Harold@chizcomm.com
About DHX Media
DHX Media (www.dhxmedia.com) is a leader in the creation, production and marketing of family entertainment. DHX Media owns, markets and distributes over 10,000 episodes of entertainment programming worldwide and licenses its owned properties through its dedicated consumer products business. DHX Media is recognized for brands such as Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Teletubbies, In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget, Johnny Test, and the multi-award winning Degrassi franchise. DHX Media's full-service international licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, (CPLG), represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands. DHX Media has offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Halifax, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Munich and Amsterdam and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
About FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment
FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment (FMKFE) is a worldwide leader in family entertainment and one of the most dynamic independent producers, licensors and distributors of engaging and ground-breaking content in the sector. The division works in collaboration with best-in-class partners to build global franchises that connect with children and families across multiple platforms and touch points. FMKFE’s broad and distinctive brand portfolio includes pre-school action animation seriesTree Fu Tom, breakout comedy Strange Hill High, animated musical comedy Grojband and aspirational new girls’ pre-school series Kate & Mim-Mim. It also owns the rights to a rich archive of children’s classics including: Danger Mouse, Rainbow andDuckula containing over 3000 hours of programming. FMKFE is part of FremantleMedia, one of the leading creators, producers and distributors of TV entertainment brands in the world.
About Jazwares Inc.
With its focus on creativity, innovation and function, Jazwares has established itself as a well-respected leader in the licensed products industry. Delivering diverse lines of toys and consumer electronics, their products feature some of the best entertainment properties in the world. Today, through the expertise of their product development team, Jazwares continues to offer a wide array of merchandise at major retailers globally. Their portfolio includes: Minecraft™, Adventure Time™, Regular Show, One Direction, Plants vs. Zombies™, Star Wars™, Yo Gabba Gabba!™, WWE™, Sonic the Hedgehog™ and Teen Titans Go!™, among others. Jazwares' goal is to invent toys and related products that are new to the marketplace, featuring the brands kids want, at an affordable price. For more information about Jazwares, Inc., please visit www.jazwares.com.