Cynopsis: Kids!
08/21/12

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, August 21, 2012, and this your first early morning briefing.

After much ado and bidding for DreamWorks Animation SKG‘s distribution business, the studio announced yesterday it has inked a five-year distribution pact with Fox. The new deal will see Fox take on select marketing and distribution responsibilities for both domestic and international markets for all of DreamWorks Animation’s animated movies the release between 2013-17. DreamWorks Animation’s deal with Paramount runs through the end of this year. Under the terms of the deal, Fox will receive a distribution fee on worldwide theatrical and home video gross receipts as well as on international TV, and on certain digital businesses, including rentals, SVOD and EST. But, DreamWorks Animation retains the rights to distribute its product in the domestic TV windows without paying a fee to Fox.

DHX Media acquires Cookie Jar Entertainment for about US $112.2 million. Upon completion of the deal, which is expected to be finalized mid October 2012 following shareholder and regulatory approval, the acquisition will make DHX Media the largest indie kid’s entertainment company in Canada, and will include a library of 8,550 half hours of programming. In addition to creating, producing and marketing kid-targeted series, Cookie Jar also controls Cookie Jar TV, the weekend morning programming block on CBS in the US as well as operating its international licensing agency Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG). Steve DeNure, President and COO, DHX Media tells Cynopsis Kids, “DHX is acquiring all the assets of Cookie Jar, including the CBS block.” The deal also bolsters DHX’s digital distribution and relationships with Amazon, Comcast, Dish, Hulu, Netflix, Samsung, Telmex and Vivendi. Back in 2008, Cookie Jar acquired US-based DIC Entertainment for $87.6 million. Cookie Jar’s library includes upwards of 6,000 half hours of content, including Caillou, Inspector Gadget, The Doodlebops and Johnny Test. DHX’s library features Franny’s Feet, Animal Mechanicals, Martha Speaks and Rastamouse.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Nickelodeon, R&R Productions and MarVista Entertainment have begun production in Canada on the new TV movie Nicky Deuce, which was announced earlier this summer and is set to premiere on Nickelodeon and YTV (Canada) in 2013. Based on the eponymous kid’s book by Steve Schirripa (The Sopranos) and Charles Fleming, the TV movie stars Noah Munck (iCarly, the new Nick pilot – Gibby), and four Sopranos’ stars Schirripa, Michael Imperioli, Vincent Curatola and Tony Sirico, in addition to stage and movie star Rita Moreno. Schirripa is also serving as executive producer on the project, along with R&R’s Ron Gilbert and MarVista’s Fernando Szew (Beyond the Break, 3 Holiday Tails) and Robyn Snyder (A Golden Christmas, 16 Wishes, I Me Wed). Jon Rosenbaum (Big Time Rush, Supah Ninjas) is directing the movie from a script by Art Brown (The Boy Who Cried Werewolf, Best Men), Douglas Sloan (The Boy Who Cried Werewolf, Princess Protection Program), Andy Callahan (Ties That Bind), Frank Lombardi (The Nanny) and Matt Fleckenstein (iCarly, Victorious). R&R’s Ric Nish is producing.

Also in Canada, Amberwood Entertainment begins production on the animated holiday TV special The Magic Hockey Skates (1×30). Based the book of the same name by author Allen Morgan and illustrator Michael Martchenko, The Magic Hockey Skates is produced in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), where it will premiere in primetime this holiday 2012. The special is directed by Sarah Mercey and Jason Boose (both toiled for Disney and Pixar) from a script by Lorne Cameron (Brother Bear, Over the Hedge). Kris Pearn (Sony/Aardman) serves as Creative Consultant. Amberwood is producing The Magic Hockey Skates with financial assistance from the Canada Media Fund.

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

MARKETING

Glow Europe signs new retail partners for the Bumpeez toy line in France, where it be available from August 24, 2012, and Benelux beginning September 1. Glow’s new retail distribution deals for Bumpeez for the two territories includes toy trades, newsagents and grocers. Specific retailers signing on in France include Toys “R” Us, Auchan, Carrefour, E.LeClerq, Cora, Geant Casino and King Jouet, meanwhile, retailers in Benelux include Blokker, Marskramer, Bart Smit and Intertoys. The new marketing campaign to support the Bumpeez debut and consumer awareness in France and Benelux will see ads in Benelux on network including Nickelodeon and Disney XD, and in France on Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Gulli and Boomerang. The campaign will also feature print ads, online marketing, magazine cover-mounts, and a national Golden Bumpee competition in both territories.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Cartoon Network will host the worldwide premiere Ben 10 Omniverse, the newest animated series based on the Ben 10 franchise, in 178 countries (27 languages) beginning in the US on Saturday, September 22 at 9a. From Cartoon Network Studios, the new series will rollout quickly around the globe from there. Coinciding with the launch of Ben 10 Omniverse, CartoonNetwork.com is refreshing its game Ben 10 Game Creator to reflect the design of the series and will also host a Ben 10 blog, all of which can be found at the new Ben 10 Hub. Additionally, fans can download the first episode of the new series for free on iTunes, Amazon, Playstation, Xbox and iNdemand through September 28, 2012. The original Ben 10 series, created by Man of Action Studios, launched on Cartoon Network in 2006. Since then Ben 10 has been featured in four animated series, an animated TV movie, two live-action TV movies, a CG TV movie, and a feature film continues to be in development.

US soccer star and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan teams with Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s publishing, to publish The Kicks, her new three book middle-grade series. The Kicks revolves around a new tween girl in town and her best pals who play soccer for a local team – each with an individual strength – and their friendship. The first title in the series is slated for publication in summer 2013, and is Morgan’s first novel.

STONE SOUP

Bows and polka dots will be in at London Fashion Week this September, when a group of noted designers unveil their unique Minnie Mouse Must Haves, a series of one-off apparel and accessory products. The items will then be auctioned together with eBay‘s eBay for Charity program, to support the BFC/Bazaar Fashion Arts Foundation, a British Fashion Council initiative to nurture relationships between the creative industries and maintain a reputation for fashion innovation. Noted designers creating the new looks inspired by Minnie Mouse, who by the way turns 84 this year, include Giles, Michael van der Ham, Richard Nicoll, Piers Atkinson, Bunney, Husam el Odeh in collaboration with Luke Hersheson, Katie Hillier, Lulu Guinness, Tatty Devine and Terry de Havilland. A collaboration with Meadham Kirchhoff will also be revealed at their spring/summer 2013 show.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

When DHX Media‘s acquisition of Cookie Jar Entertainment is completed (see top story), Michael Hirsh, currently CEO of Cookie Jar, will become Executive Chairman of DHX. Hirsh will also sit on DHX’s Board of Directors, along with Michael Donovan, CEO of DHX, and four other current DHX directors. Meanwhile Birch Hill Equity Partners, Cookie Jar’s controlling shareholders, will also have the right to appoint two additional directors to the board. DeNure and Dana Landry will maintain their positions as President & COO, and CFO, respectively. Cookie Jar’s President & COO Toper Taylor will continue to work on digital distribution and business development, and its CFO, Aaron Ames, will take on the role of Chief Integration Officer reporting to CEO Donovan.

RATINGS

Disney Channel’s premiere of the Shake It Up season two finale, Shake It Up: Made In Japan, a 90-minute special event, on Friday, August 17, 2012 (8-9:30p) hit a season high for the series among total Viewers (4.54 million), K2-11 (2.71 million), K6-11 (2.32 million) and Tweens 9-14 (2.0 million). The special was also Friday’s top TV telecast among the kid and tween demos.

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Friday, August 17, 2012, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11 1323; K6-11 972; TWEENS 9-14 789
NICKELODEON°:        K2-11   966; K6-11 609; TWEENS 9-14 469
CARTOON NETWORK** : K2-11   615; K6-11 434; TWEENS 9-14 399
DISNEY XD:             K2-11   265; K6-11 206; TWEENS 9-14 175
NICKTOONS:           K2-11    83; K6-11   66; TWEENS 9-14   49
°Nickelodeon Total Day: Mon-Thurs 7a-8p; Fri 7a-9p; Sat 6a-10p; Sun 6a-8p
**Cartoon Network & Adult Swim share channel space ADSM airs Sat.-Thurs. 9p-6a
Source: Disney from Nielsen Media Research Data

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE

Answer to Our Last Trivia Question: What to brothers live in the forrest near the fictional Wayoutatown, Oregon? Dagget and Nobert Beaver. Kudos to: Jessica Stango-RPM/Music.

Today’s Trivia Question: On the show CatDog, which of the conjoined twins likes Rock ‘n Roll? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: Only the second four correct answers from each time zone will be mentioned; and once you’ve been mentioned in any of the Cynopsis editions, you can’t be mentioned again that calendar week.)

Later — Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynopsis Kids!
08.21.12

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